For whatever reason, though, I feel that my 83 has a much lighter--even
911-like, as one member put it--handling than my 90. More nimble. Maybe
it's the power steering but I always wondered about this. I wish my 90
steered like my 83.

Jim

On Feb 12, 2005, at 9:22 AM, mark drillock wrote:

> 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
>