John:

Having recently removed and replaced my fuel tank, I encountered the same
problem except that my "pads" were so flat on the passenger side that they
didn't make contact with the tank.  I cut about an inch or so of 5 mm fuel
line, laid them lengthwise on the strap (or they would roll off) and cinched
it up.  It took the slack out and made it tight again.  Another thought
could be to use some self sticking foam weather stripping maybe 1/4 to 3/8
thick.  However, you'd have to make sure the surface to stick to was clean.

Good Luck,

Walter Evens
Hesperia, CA, USA
2-85GLs

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Clemens" <jbclem@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 5:42 PM
Subject: 83 Vanagon Fuel Tank Sound Dampening Pads Necessary??

> I just reinstalled my fuel tank and then I read about checking to make
sure
> the sound dampening pads were in place.  I didn't remember seeing anything
> when I took off the straps, but I did find, on the ground under the car,
two
> identical looking items that might qualify.  They were about 1/16 to 1/8
> inch thick, 3/4 inch wide, 1 1/2 inch long.  There were only two, and I
> can't find them now.  I just lowered one of the straps to see if there
were
> any pads fixed to it, but there weren't, and I  don't rermember seeing
> anything like that.  The strap(passenger side) when tightened in place, is
> not completely tight(the gas tank is empty) and I can wiggle it a bit.
Not
> so with the other side.
>
> Should I make up a shim of somekind(cardboard or piece of wood) to act as
a
> sound dampner/shim.  How important is this and what kind of noise could
> result if I leave them out and they are necessary?
>
>
> John
>