It's normal for KYB's!  Course, they're the cheapest shock you cna get for
a vanagon.
steve

David M wrote:

> This weekend I went on my first trip over a nearby bridge.
> This bridge is about 2 miles long and has a concrete pavement separated
> by expansion joints.
> I have been over this bridge many many times in my Toyota car and never
> noticed the expansion joints until now.
> The Vanagon gave a brutal thump every time it crossed over each of the
> dozens of expansion joints.
> Is this normal?
> My Vanagon has brand new KYB shocks. Tires are 205/70-14 Bridgestone
> Turanza at slightly less than recommended pressures.
> Suspension bushings are creaky.
>
> '87 Wolfsburg ('The Bismarck')