

| Subject: | Re: Front Suspension Lifespan |
| From: | Pete O |
| Date: | Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:10:03 -0400 |
Still in progress! Here are some pix from the work: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qShXntSWP67VeCAn8 Congrats on getting all those miles out of your bus! Hope my stock 2.1 lasts that long! Pete Owsianowski 1987 Westy "JoesVan" On Tue, Mar 12, 2019 at 9:26 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > All of us are hanging by our fingernails to hear your report of how it all > went! 173,000 is about exactly 100,000 miles less than mine. > > On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 6:18:22 PM PDT, Pete O <pnoceanwesty@GMAIL.COM> > wrote: > > > Just completing all new bushings, springs, shocks, ball joints. Also went > with the GoWesty big brake and hub kit. This will go with the Van Cafe 16" > Carrot wheels and AT Grabbers. Looking for some improved handling! Our > 1987 Westy has 173,000 on the frame. Did a top end rebuild on the stock > 2.1 about 6 years ago. > > > Pete O > 1987 Westy "JoesVan" > > > > > > On Tue, Mar 12, 2019 at 7:07 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> > wrote: > > > I have owned my 1985 Vanagon GL for 30 years. It is a 4 speed manual, > > tintop, with GoWesty 16" wheels, and has power steering. I now have > > 273,000 miles. I am planning on keeping if "forever". I'm > wondering...is > > there a rule of thumb regarding suspension components and when it might > be > > wise to consider replacement of bushings, ball joints, and such? > > I have only replaced the front and rear shocks; no other work has been > > done to the suspension. I currently have no issues with vibrations or > > unusual tire wear. The alignment is true, and the vehicle drives nicely. > > I mostly drive highways and freeways. I drive gently. Only very > > occasionally on dirt roads, probably a total of 400 miles out of the > > 273,000. Just like I did when I converted my perfectly running 1.9 to a > > 2.2 Subie engine, I tend to lean towards preventing problems when parts > and > > service is "relatively" easy to do, rather than having much stress in > 5-10 > > years from now. Plus, the enjoyment of a stronger ride. > > > > Was wondering if you had any words of advise? > > > > Thanks, > > RichSan Diego > > >
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