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Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sun May 04, 2025 6:24 pm    Post subject: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

Hey All,

I need a favor. For those of you running Schwenk standard height springs and Fox shocks on your Syncro -- I would like to know your ride height. Measure from the fender lip to the wheel center.

I'm having an issue with the Fox shock rubbing on the axle. I like my ride height where it is. I will either have to adjust the shock higher to clear the axle or change to a stock Syncro spring. Stock springs are a little shorter.

Thanks in advance.

--Patrick
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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Sodo
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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2025 7:41 am    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

Two possibilities:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Pray that its the UCAs upside down.

Other Twisted Evil is even less fun.
You may have the left-side Foxshock on the right side.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2025 8:00 am    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

That's not is. At least I don't think so. I'll take a look. I have a ride height issue. The axle to shock body is okay. It's the adjustable spring cup. They need to be adjusted away from the axle a bit. I thought I had enough clearance but there are noticeable rub marks on the axle. It must be when turning or in compression.

I'm planning to pull out the spring compressor and adjust them up a couple of turns.

To make things worse, I had a local shop replace an axle and they put one on with a fatter hollow body axle. I need to get that out of there before there is additional damage.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Mon May 05, 2025 8:10 am    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I just checked the UCA. They are mounted correctly. They are Burley control arms but that shouldn't matter.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2025 6:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I adjusted the front shocks up about 1/8" to hopefully eliminate the axle rubbing.

I have a non-standard axle on the passenger side. It has a thicker axle than OEM and was rubbing. It was installed new by Peace Vans in Seattle. They should have known better. Lesson learned - do your own work.

I have a replacement axle coming from Van Cafe tomorrow. It has the NLA Lobro outer CV. I'm worried that it will have the same thicker axle issue as what I removed. I also have some new CVs coming from T3 that I can use to rebuild my old axle. There will be options.

I have a trip planned and need this done by the 22nd.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sat May 24, 2025 8:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I missed my deadline and cancelled the trip.

I started installing the stock springs from Christopher @ T3. It turns out that they have an inside diameter that is to small to fit the lower spring perch on the Fox shock.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
IMG_3204 by Patrick Brown, on Flickr
The upper spring is the Schwenk and the lower is the replacement stock Syncro spring.

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IMG_3205 by Patrick Brown, on Flickr
Schwenk spring

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IMG_3206 by Patrick Brown, on Flickr
replacement sprint that is too small

I'm going to reinstall the Schwenk springs and change the ride height to clear the Fox shock's adjustment nuts.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sat May 24, 2025 8:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

Here is the problem. The axle has been rubbing.

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IMG_3202 by Patrick Brown, on Flickr

And I had an axle fail. It's unclear if it was from the rubbing or other. I think it was self inflicted. I have a sport VC and think I broke the axle when turning too tight and too high speed.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
IMG_3201 by Patrick Brown, on Flickr

I have some original rebuildable axles. I'm working on rebuilding now. Those outer CV joints are a PITA to remove.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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ALIKA T3
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PostPosted: Sat May 24, 2025 11:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I don't understand how the splines can only be damaged at the tip... Confused
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2025 12:03 am    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

The axle came out of the cv joint while still on the van. Possibly the clip was not completely engaged when last rebuilt.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2025 1:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I have a couple of core axle assemblies. I was able to get one stripped down. That outer CV is a PITA. An angle grinder was involved.

This photo shows the old and the replacement. The red one is the old. It doesn't seem so bad after seeing them side by side.

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Syncro Front Axles by Patrick Brown
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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pbrown
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PostPosted: Sat May 31, 2025 3:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I spent some time with a small file cleaning up the replacement axle.

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Syncro axle cleaned up by Patrick Brown, on Flickr


I'll take it to the powder coating shop on Monday.
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Patrick Brown

1986 Westy Syncro EJ25
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4Gears4Tires
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 4:47 pm    Post subject: Re: Syncro Schwenk springs and Fox shocks Reply with quote

I'd throw chinese ebay axles in there before I ran that.
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