The flat machined area of the spindle arm where the tie rod bolts on is
very elongated. Then the hole is drilled in that area in one of two
locations, depending on manual or power steering.

The improvements you mentioned for 85 are not true of early 85 models.
All were phased in during production at different points, except for the
newer sliding door which was used for the full year. The outer front
wheel bearing changed  during the 84 model year, on chassis number
023,828 of that year. I think the bearing inner diameter was enlarged to
allow for a larger diameter spindle so there may have been some strength
issue with the earlier spindles. Perhaps PS entered into that since PS
was offered beginning with some 84 models, afaik.

Mark

Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:

> Hmmm....really ?
> I'll have to check that out.
> I don't doubt you, just never had to think about it.
>
> On the spindles.....I'm pretty sure, since I noticed that 82 front outer
> bearings are underbuilt, that they fixed that with 85 models, one year
> before 86.
>
> Yes, the single piston calipers started in 86,
> But the cast iron lower control arm and better outside wheel bearings
> started in 85. I believe.
>
> Really.....they did a lot of really good improvements in 85,  - the sliding
> door,
> Cast iron lower control arms, plastic cooling main pipes, better parking
> brake....
> Then they held back 3 big improvements  until  86....
> The headlights, the different or better front brakes , and the fuse box.
> And probably others I'm not remembering now.
>
> It's like 86 completes what 85 started.
>
> It would be fun to have a 'when did various changes occur in vanagons'
> contest.
> Like what year did the heater valve move from inside the cockpit to under
> the front floor ?
> For example.
> Lots of fun possibilities and trivia, but useful technical trivia.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>