If anyone wants a copy of a white paper/marketing paper I put together on
these shocks (it explains the nitrogen gas and a lot of other features),
p-mail me and I'll send you a copy!

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: Robyn Rudisill <robyn.rudisill@ADOBE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2000 5:58 PM
Subject: O.M.E Shock Report

> Well they're installed and they're sweet.  Now that we've dispensed with
> the first impression...
>
> Subject 1991 Syncro Westy 47,442 miles.
>
> Ken had arranged to get me a set of four Old Man Emu shocks at a good
> price, and asked me to post my impression on the list... so if you have no
> interest I apologize for wasting yer time.
>
> The rear shocks are in fact by Old Man Emu in Australia and come from down
> under.  The front set appear to made by Monroe to meet OME
> specifications.  The front's casing is stamped "Made in Belgium by
> Monroe".  Boy are these babies well traveled.
>
> I believe they are oil filled, nitrogen charged.  I was told that the
> nitrogen is primarily an anti foaming agent and is employed because it
> makes smaller bubbles than other gases.  This sounded like a yarn to me
and
> shows you how little I know, because I repeated it.   (All I know is I
like
> Guinness and it's nitrogen charged too. Plus it is the ultimate Westy
> camping beverage since it can be enjoyed equally whether your Dometic
> fridge is working or not i.e warm or cold.) I digress.
>
> First thing I noticed is less bounce in the front end when go over rises;
> followed by less dive when stopping.  These are seemingly made for the
> Vanagon's weight.   At first I was expecting the stiffness to produce a
> much harsher ride, but that hasn't been the case.  The bumps aren't any
> more jarring than they were before, but the ride sure feels more stable.
>
> I haven't had the chance to ply these to an off-road trip, but there is a
> pretty good indicator on my route to work.  Adobe's drive-way in Seattle,
> better known as the "ramp of death" cuts across a busy two-way street and
a
> bike path at an uncontrolled intersection on a one-lane street under the
99
> bridge.  Needless to say, hesitation equals death.  Plus, once over the
> sidewalk on the other side of the street, the drive drops onto a 25 degree
> slope leading down to our campus in the Fremont Waterfront area of
> Seattle.  I can now make this maneuver at a reasonable speed and only
> bounce up once, as before I was nearly at the limit of my suspension and
> bounce two or three times.
>
> I know, this is no reason to go out and get these shock; but they do work
> nicely and aren't over the top in cost relative to other "syncro-only"
parts.
>
> I have no idea how long they will last.  I must admit that I had no idea
> how bad my the original shocks were until I installed these.
>
> Let me know if you have any questions.
>
> Robyn