I don't know from anything but I just went from 205/70r14 all around to
185r14 all around, on my '89 Wolfsburg, and maybe it's just that the
tires are new but man is it a fantastic ride one.

I haven't noticed the roughness that alot of people notice. Maybe I
haven't driven it enough, I don't know.

Cheers,
Harry

On 07/28/2011 05:09 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> you first problem is ..
> I think those are....8 Ply Rating ( or D load rating ) tires on the front.
> I absolutely can not stand any 8PR tires on the front of a vanagon ..
> too harsh.
> you do feel every irregularity in the pavement ..even on a regular van,
> never mind a Carat or Wolfsburg..
> which I drive for my personal in-town Vanagon.
>
> You put C load ( 6PR ) or LT tires on the front ..
> and it will instantly make the steering and front ride far, far better.
>
> that size..
> 185 R 14 ..not the best for a Wolfsburg/Carat.
> 'all right' ...but tallish .
> I run 15's on mine ...just love it.
> I happen to use Michelin agilles 205/65 R 15 LT tires ..
> fantastic tire, not harsh in the front.
> magic vehicle with those tires and good shocks.
>
> the springs are a little bit stiffer ..
> but fix your incorrect front tires first.
> I'v had to fine tune on tire pressures  to get mine working and feeling
> right. ...feels just perfect right now ..
> with decent shocks, and the right tires and wheels...
>   and seriously ....D load rating/8PR tire in front ..
> you are given up a LOT of smoothness in the steering wheel feel..
> and 'nimbleness' in the steering response/handling.
>   I fine tune the WHOLE van..
> every aspect of the whole rig ....8PR tires front and rear suck.
> Rear is fine ..quite good actully.
> but not in front.  Cant' say it strongly enough.
> If I put some LT tires on the front of your van and sent you for a good
> drive..
> you would LOVE the change in the feel, the ride, and the straight line
> tracking/ steering repsonse.
>  Like immediate 60 % improvement.
> Stop by and we'll put some on the front for you to try.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 10:08 AM
> Subject: How do you when your springs need to be replaced?
>
>
>> I have an 88 Wolfsburg GL. It has new front and reach shocks on it
>> replaced
>> about 2 years ago. It also has all new front bushings upper and lower.
>> For
>> the rear shocks it has Koni Red's at the middle level setting and on the
>> front it has Boge's on them.
>>
>> I used to have the KYB's on the van and immediately took them off because
>> the ride was super stiff and I felt every bump like there was no
>> suspension at all. (If someone wants these shocks for a discount price
>> let
>> me know.)
>>
>> When I first got the van it had the old original shocks on it, very cushy
>> and bouncy. I loved the cushyness but the bouncyness drove me crazy so I
>> replaced them all.
>>
>> Now the ride is a lot better, wind pressure on the van does not make it
>> sway all over the road but I still feel all the bumps!
>>
>> What's the issue here?
>>
>> Wrong shocks or old tired springs?
>>
>> My springs are the Carat style shorter ones, I have ridden in my friends
>> Westy with the taller springs and the ride is amazing compared to my
>> short
>> springs.
>>
>> Do I need to replace these springs to get a more springy cushin' to the
>> ride?
>>
>> Can I swap out my short springs for taller ones? If so do I need to
>> change
>> the shocks as well?
>>
>> Can I put in salvage yard taller springs?
>>
>> By the way I the Bus Depot RA08's on the van and they are great.
>>
>> Thanks for the advice,
>> Robert
>> Upstate NY
>