increasing T3 vanagon stability

Red Star, Montag, 21. Mai 2012, 15:42 (vor 4639 Tagen) @ giuguar

Hi there,
don´t care about any damage. In germany we´re heading on 200 or 300 thousand miles with lowered suspension or spacers without any impact on the material. Just keep in mind to check suspension concerning chamber, toe or castor angle pre and post refitment. It is a common misunderstanding that spacers increase stability - they increase steering! They don´t avoid instability but reduce the required angle of the steering wheel to correct the disturbance. Furthermore they lower the car slightly due to the function of wishbone/control arms.

When your refer to shearwinds or road conditions you´ve got several options:
- spacers
- shocks
- tire ratio
- springs
- center gravity

I would sugget the use of spacers and tire with 50 or 45 ratio and 16 or 17 inch rims. 16" has little impact on comfort, 17" is the best tradeoff between comfort and stability. Large means nothing - it depends on manufacturer, plyrate and carcass build. Ratio is the less elusive indicator...

Also keep in mind that many springs extend with the decades: they once had been bended from a straight piece of wire and can remember. New or a bit lower ones should increase stability in addition. Maybe old springs make your efforts become ineffective.

Finally center gravity increses stability when you put more weight to the front. Avoid cupboards, bike carriers, hightops and water tanks in the rear. Tires increase their stiffness by load. Drive a double cab and feel the difference...

Cheers!