To:  Robert Ueltzen
I am curious if you have solved your suspension problem.  My westy rides the same--minor washboard dirt roads are impossible, and I too, feel every crack in the road.   I see that gowesty springs are on sale, and I was considering a set.   I have new Michelin tires and bilstien shocks from gowesty.

Any thoughts?

stan

-----Original Message-----
From: Stan Shapiro [mailto:mail@stanshapiro.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 1:46 PM
To: 'Robert Ueltzen'
Subject: RE: Harsh suspension

I increased my tire pressure to 44 based on all of the comments on this site--and my westy road the same as you describe yours.  Then I went in for an oil change, and they routinely dropped the pressure down to 36--so i left it at that just to experiment -- huge improvement in the ride.   I suggest you drop the tire pressure for a couple of days, and compare the ride--cant hurt.  If you don’t see any difference, then just bump them back up to 40 and 50.     I have left mine at 36 in spite of all of the suggestions on wetwesties.

ss

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Robert Ueltzen
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 11:19 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Harsh suspension

I have a 1987 Wolfsburg edition with 202,000 miles.

Here’s my problem.  For a couple of years, my van has ridden like it has no springs.  Every little road seam rattles the car and jars my fillings loose.  The tires are Hankook RA08 185R14C with 40 PSI front and 50 PSI rear.  They have about 10,000 miles on them.  The change in tires had no
effect on the suspension compliance.   Last summer I replaced the original
shocks with Bilstein HD and all the bushings and ball joints in the suspension.  This had no effect on the suspension compliance.

I feel like I am down to the spring replacement as the last element that
could improve the suspension compliance.   Can coil springs become
work-hardened through years of use and lose their elasticity?   If so, any
recommendations for a source of good replacements? The 87 Wolfsburg has the short springs like the later Carat.  I do my driving on California streets and highways.

Rob Ueltzen
1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon
TIICO Conversion