Stiff, Harsh, Kidney Busting Suspension- Options

[Barking Squirrel]

Hey Vanagoe'rs.
Well, I can't take it anymore.
Previous owner put in lower H&R sport springs and Bilstein Shocks 19-02 that give better smooth highway handling BUT are brutal on bumps, potholes, bridge transitions etc. Dirt roads are really awful if not impossible. See photos for what is currently on the van. 1980 vanagon.

Wondering about options:
1) change to softer shocks. - within budget range.
2) change out springs. - getting expensive.
3) do both. - yup, painfully expensive.
4) others?

What would you suggest?

FYI-
Van is packed lite: only me, no propane, no roof boxes, just food and water.

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1980 Vanagon L 235k, Dual Carbs, "Mattie". Air Cooled.

[markswagen]

a set of second hand stock height, or carat springs might solve most if not all of your problems.
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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[4Gears4Tires]

Agreed, get a set of used stock springs. Your shocks are fine.

I have these springs on one of my e30s, they are great in the twisties and rough whenever you hit anything. I wouldn't want them on a van.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[MarkWard]

Again I am seeing aftermarket springs in coil bind. When the coil binds, you have lost that usable part of the spring. I agree going back to stock springs would be the affordable direction. I have 40 years on my stock springs without issue. Otherwise reach out to Christopher at T3 Technique. You can get your ride back.
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[jimf909]

What tires are on the van? Dimension and air pressure? They may be contributing to the poor ride.
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- Jim

[4Gears4Tires]

Looks like they have 16s or 17s with a lower than stock sidewall but not anything that will make it super rough, unless they are run flats. The spring replacement is definitely the first place to start.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Silverghost500]

What kind of suspension bushings are in the control arms? OEM type rubber or polyurethane?
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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[skills@eurocarsplus]

i had the same setup on my westy

ditch the bilsteins and get a set of SPAX from T3 Technique

Bilsteins have always rode like shit and are fine for auto-x etc but not daily driver imho

the SPAX and the H&R purples made my van drive like stock without feeling like a waterbed

basically firm enough to throw it into corners and soft enough not to shake the fillings out of your teeth
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[Mateo83]

Are the stock bump stops still in place? they are probably bottomed out if lowered
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83 Air-cooled 2.0 Tin Top

[Barking Squirrel]

Thanks for all the quick replies!. Samba always produces great ideas.
For some of the questions:
- not bottomed out on the rubber stops.
- 215/65 R16 yokohama Avids at 35 psi.
- No Poly Bushings.

Mark - I will crawl underneath again and see how badly the coil's are bound.

Time to order standard/stock springs.
CIP1 and Concept - the places to go in Canada - are all out of stock for at least 3 weeks.
Patience is a virtuous PITA.

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1980 Vanagon L 235k, Dual Carbs, "Mattie". Air Cooled.

[Mateo83]

CIP coils are caca.
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83 Air-cooled 2.0 Tin Top

[hdenter]

Why order new springs whene there are plenty of used springs that can work for you? if you want to go back to stock height, there are plenty out there. If you like the lower stance, get a set of carrat springs. Not quite as common in the classifieds, but also available. I'd spend the money on the shocks.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[4Gears4Tires]

Plenty of used springs in the classifieds for about $150.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Barking Squirrel]

Thanks, I will look in the classifieds.
Mateo....long time since I heard the word "caca".

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1980 Vanagon L 235k, Dual Carbs, "Mattie". Air Cooled.

[Mateo83]

[Barking Squirrel]

Hey Mark:
Yup, I feel like a newbie or old age selective sight.

The spring issue was sitting right in front of me. The rears and fronts are already compressed/bound just sitting on a flat road....
Can't wait for newer and proper springs...

Shucks.
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1980 Vanagon L 235k, Dual Carbs, "Mattie". Air Cooled.

[MarkWard]

I’m running the original 40 year old springs with yellow Bilsteins and have no complaints. Don’t sweat not catching the binding coils. I see it here all the time. I still think reaching out to Christopher at T3 Technique. He is an active member and is a wealth of suspension information.
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[PDXWesty]

[E1]

Unless I missed something, I took what Mark said to mean that whatever areas of the spring that are compressed to the point of touching effectively means those areas are no longer a spring at all — which is true.

I saw no reference to “dual-rate.”
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[kamzcab86]