Please elaborate on your match/gasoline trick for seating the bead.

On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>    Another consideration when working on your off road suitability....Alloy
> wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones.   Alloys will fracture or
> fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh a huge boulder with a
> low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off road, they can be bent
> back often times....or at least enough to get the bead to seat for the
> tire, enabling you to keep moving.  I have twice bent steel rims in Baja
> and broken an alloy aftermarket one.   One of the steelies I bent, we were
> almost 60 miles from pavement and there was nothing around.   We
> straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using our bicycle pump,
> with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you may sit for days
> on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding an appropriate rim
> may involve long distances to help....I keep my rims in steel now.
>
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out 10psi
> > and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As Dennis
> > mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the side wall if
> > the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from Ubehe Crater to the
> > Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V air pump, off road or
> not.
> >
> > On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce
> > sinking
> > > on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact
> patch
> > > increases. They will often air down low enough that the sidewalls can
> > also
> > > provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of this
> is
> > > an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and having a tire
> > > completely air out and hitting any type of sharp object can damage a
> tire
> > > internally. Note this approach is for low speed operation.
> > >
> > > You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a
> regular
> > > passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above that you are
> > going
> > > for handling or reduced rolling resistance.
> > >
> > > Dennis
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf
> > > Of Stan Shapiro
> > > Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> > >
> > > Another question on suspension.   I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels,
> > > Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty.    It is terrible on
> > > washboard roads.     I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their tires
> > > before going off road.    Does anyone have any experience in letting a
> > > small amount of air out for a washboard road??    If so, how much do
> you
> > > let out?   Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Stan
> > > Idaho
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf
> > > Of Chris S.
> > > Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> > >
> > > See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the
> > > finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider
> > > progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro
> and
> > > they are wonderful.
> > >
> > > Chris.
> > >
> > > Wysłane z iPhone'a
> > >
> > > Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
> > > napisał(a):
> > >
> > > > Hello:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit more
> > > civil… and helpful.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months
> before
> > > leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes… and perhaps
> > equal
> > > parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
> > > >
> > > > I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought the
> > > mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it
> > keeps
> > > coming loose and knocking toe way out… last time it was over AN INCH
> out,
> > > and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new
> BFG
> > > ATs. Ugh.
> > > >
> > > > The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, as
> I
> > > do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the arms
> > need
> > > to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, what
> > are
> > > my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I
> saw a
> > > gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks
> and
> > it
> > > looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort for
> > off
> > > road softness before parts start flying off at will.
> > > >
> > > > We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I
> do
> > > not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing (Ahem,
> > > sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So
> > anything I
> > > can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to
> remote
> > > places is partly why we live in it.
> > > >
> > > > Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of this
> > > work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative tire
> > > store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask if
> > such
> > > an upgrade is within his realm.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks in Advance,
> > > >
> > > > Eric
> > > > Eric Wunrow Pictures
> > > > 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
> > > > Lakewood, CO 80228
> > > >
> > > > 303. 988. 8717
> > > > VW@EricWunrow.com
> > >
> >
>

-- 
Brett in Portland, OR
"Albert" '82 VanaFox I4 Riviera