Al, I doubt that any possible weight difference plays much part in the
handling difference. I would not even assume that the solid steel part
weighs less, at least not at the ball joint end where weight would be
the most significant. The brake rotor, caliper, wheel/tire are all
farther out from the pivot radius than any part of the arm is anyway.

Mark

 Al and Sue Brase wrote:

> Mark, Andrew:
> What do you suppose the weight difference is?  I suspect that is not
> much, but probably the fabbed steel part is a bit lighter. I am
> puzzled, too, why the different years would handle differently.
> And YES, I stand corrected, it is cast steel, not cast iron. Can
> anyone tell me the difference? I suppose the steel has some toughening
> alloy in it, like nickel or vanadium or molybdinum?
> I'm curious about the steel and the Vanagon handling!
> Al Brase