Every so often I feel the need to chime in on the side of the poor derided
KYBs.  I finally replace mine after something on the order of 200,000 miles.
The front end shop employee that removed the old ones said, "These seem
fine, although I can see you've used them pretty hard as the chrome has
turned blue."  I would actually not hesitate to reinstall them on my 7
pass., but like the firmer ride on the Westy.

My Bilsteins, on the other hand,  lasted about 25,000 miles each.  They were
so stiff that the welded on mounting rings broke off.  I went through three
of them, and although they have a lifetime warranty, I could not get it
honored in Phoenix, since there is )or at lest was) no distributor for
Bilstein here.

I'll stick with the KYBs, thank you.

I'm now $.02 poorer.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "BRENT CHRISTENSEN" <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: '90 Westfalia sagging suspension

> One "cheapie" idea would be to swap from side to side.  However, with your
> mileage, you're probably better off swapping them out for new ones - just
> depends on budgetary constraints.
>
> I have heard mostly negative comments about the KYB's (harsh, premature
> wear, etc.), and good things about the Bilsteins, though with a Syncro,
I'm
> going with the Old Man Emu units...  I'll bet they make OME's for regular
> 2WD Vanagons, too.
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy
> Santa Barbara, CA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Martin Dell [mailto:martin@NETPRODUCTION.CO.UK]
> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 11:58 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: '90 Westfalia sagging suspension
>
>
> My bus has covered about 300,000km and is leaning to the left quite
> noticeably (viewed from the back)  I'm guessing that the springs on that
> side have sagged because all the weight is on that side,(propane tank,
waste
> water tank, water tank and all the cupboards - driver too!)  So I guess
it'd
> be wise to swap the springs out and while I'm at it I might as well do the
> shocks.
>
> Here's where I'm looking for advice.  Can I get lower/ stiffer springs?
Can
> I get harder shocks?  I want to control body roll mainly but don't want a
> really harsh ride.
>
> Has anyone experience of this problem and a solution?  Any help would be
> appreciated
>
> Regards
> Martin Dell
>