I wouldn't think they'd be worn out in 40K.
I ran a set of front 2WD HD Bilsteins  for 100K on a vanagon and thought
they weren't that sharp after that distance, but they weren't shot or
anything.

you didn't mention tires.
Tires, particularly sidewall stiffness, and being vanagon load-rated
......is especially important on vanagons.

more - - - - -        I kinda 'really like' tires, always have. I own many
sets, and many vanagons. So I can try different sets on one van , for
comparison.
I'll tell you a tire that is *really* 'sharp' ....i.e.. 'very, very good' on
a vanagon.
that's the Michelin Agilles 205/65 R 15 C.

I'm getting a very well persevered and super rust free 1985 Adventurewagon
ready to sell. I put a set of four of Agilles on, on 15 inch steel wheels on
it. .....
instantly the van tracks way, way better !  ( brand new HD Bilsteines  in
front , ok rear shocks ) .........the ride is very controlled,
turn-in is nice, cornering is good. . But particularly straight line
tracking .....and general directional stability  - like 'stellar' in that
department.
those tires are twice as much tire as many others, and they cost like it
too, but man do I love 'em.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joel VanderKwaak" <joelvanderkwaak@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 6:45 PM
Subject: 2wd Bilstein shocks, do they wear out?

> Hey all,
>
> I just returned from a longish drive to/from the SF Bay area to my
> hometown, Terrace, BC.
>
> On the way back I passed through Columbia River country, where the
> wind blows strong, and I found the front end of the van difficult to
> control at highway speeds.
>
> I have a set of HD Bilstein shocks on the front, installed in 2005,
> and was wondering if it was time to replace them (they have about 40K
> miles on them). They pass the standard bounce test, and have no leaks,
> yet something doesn't seem stable. For the record, I installed a set
> of GoWesty springs last year when I rebuilt the front end (ball
> joints, etc), and am running a set of syncro OME shocks on the rear.
> Could be something isn't balanced well...
>
> Any words of wisdom? I'll be heading to VolksCafe in the morning for
> some other parts, so responding sooner than later would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joel