High Top in the wind
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 03 Jun 2013, 10:21
- 80-90 Mem No: 12406
- Location: Weymouth, Dorset
High Top in the wind
Hi Guys, new owner in a hightop. Took it away last week on a trip to Devon and back, everything fine till we got battered by the wind.
Is there anything that can be done suspension/wheel wise to calm the high top down in the windy conditions when driving?
It has standard suspension/wheels and no power steering.
Is there anything that can be done suspension/wheel wise to calm the high top down in the windy conditions when driving?
It has standard suspension/wheels and no power steering.
1988 High Top. 1.9 DG
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12659
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: High Top in the wind
Front spoiler (yes they work to help stopping spontaneous lane changing on motorways), new Powerflex rack bushes and probably the rest of them as well (make the steering as tight as possible) and get used to driving a slab-sided van.
Ian
Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
- 1664
- Registered user
- Posts: 8747
- Joined: 30 Mar 2006, 15:20
- 80-90 Mem No: 3299
- Location: Coventry Member
Re: High Top in the wind
I rather like the 'random' aspect of the t25 drive. Reminds me of riding a horse that sees a crisp packet rustling in a hedge and instantly cr@ps itself and bolts out into the road in front of moving traffic.
Life on the edge
Life on the edge
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 938
- Joined: 13 Nov 2005, 09:35
- 80-90 Mem No: 1959
- Location: aberdare south wales
Re: High Top in the wind
As Ian says the spoiler helps but having lowered my old westy with -50mm avo and a set of bilstein b6 shocks it was awesome in the wind. I can't recommend doing this enough.
98 Westfalia James Cook
-
- Trader
- Posts: 8047
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: High Top in the wind
learn a bit more of driving it, used to be worse on 2 wheels tooling it in the wind, keeps you on the game
mm
mm
- Ian and Lins
- Registered user
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: 27 Apr 2007, 13:18
- 80-90 Mem No: 3532
- Location: Rushden, Northants (God's waiting room)
- Contact:
Re: High Top in the wind
1664 wrote:I rather like the 'random' aspect of the t25 drive. Reminds me of riding a horse that sees a crisp packet rustling in a hedge and instantly cr@ps itself and bolts out into the road in front of moving traffic.
Life on the edge
I liken it to steering a boat; cue Captain Pugwash. The Dartford Tunnel Bridge can be entertaining.
Are we going on anything else?
1985 Petrol 1.9 A/S Hightop
1985 Petrol 1.9 A/S Hightop
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 03 Jun 2013, 10:21
- 80-90 Mem No: 12406
- Location: Weymouth, Dorset
Re: High Top in the wind
jason k wrote:As Ian says the spoiler helps but having lowered my old westy with -50mm avo and a set of bilstein b6 shocks it was awesome in the wind. I can't recommend doing this enough.
I have been driving a t5 gp for the last 3 years and that can get a bit lively in the wind but i wasnt prepared for how bad the T25 was!!
Will look into the shocks and springs, bigger wheels and also power steering me thinks.
Where did you get your bilstein shocks?
1988 High Top. 1.9 DG
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 938
- Joined: 13 Nov 2005, 09:35
- 80-90 Mem No: 1959
- Location: aberdare south wales
Re: High Top in the wind
All from http://www.brickwerks.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
98 Westfalia James Cook
- pionte
- Registered user
- Posts: 549
- Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
- 80-90 Mem No: 8209
- Location: Tonbridge Kent
Re: High Top in the wind
lowering and bigger wheels with spacers will help the most imho, coupled with new bushes. I dont think that fitting power steering will help atall . I have just lowered mine with -50 AVO springs and B6 billies ,I have wider Merc wheels and 15/20mm spacers and a front spoiler. as soon as the engine is back in I will hopefully find out if the new suspension has helped as much as I think it will.
2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989
- Sleedale
- Registered user
- Posts: 577
- Joined: 21 Aug 2012, 15:41
- 80-90 Mem No: 11478
- Location: Masham North Yorkshire
Re: High Top in the wind
1664 wrote:I rather like the 'random' aspect of the t25 drive. Reminds me of riding a horse that sees a crisp packet rustling in a hedge and instantly cr@ps itself and bolts out into the road in front of moving traffic.
Life on the edge
Perfect description of our Victor in the wind, just have to get used to it
Sue
1985 1.9 DG petrol, 4 speed, wasserboxer, Cavalier Coachman Classic
1985 1.9 DG petrol, 4 speed, wasserboxer, Cavalier Coachman Classic
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 4447
- Joined: 13 Jan 2010, 12:42
- 80-90 Mem No: 4418
- Location: West London - 1985 westie pop top, LHD, 1900 DF engine
Re: High Top in the wind
Lowered suspension and side planks help I think but a front spoiler helps so much to drive in a straight line in the wind.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 102
- Joined: 07 May 2010, 14:05
- 80-90 Mem No: 8491
- Location: Southampton
Re: High Top in the wind
Fitting polybushes where possible or replacing with brand new rubber where not to the entire front end helped a lot.
Steering rack bushes, antiroll bar etc.
The difference that and 70mm springs made was just astounding.
A lot more definite it its driving manner!
Steering rack bushes, antiroll bar etc.
The difference that and 70mm springs made was just astounding.
A lot more definite it its driving manner!
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 232
- Joined: 01 Nov 2009, 18:49
- 80-90 Mem No: 7945
- Location: London
Re: High Top in the wind
I had newish -70 AVO's on mine when I got it. Hated them and they also made the van look fully loaded even when empty (ie back lower than front).
Sold them and replaced with AVO -30s which are much more forgiving over speedbumps and typical worn out UK roads. The last journey with the -70s was down the M6 from Cumbria and the wind made it so bad I turned off to go the A6 route via Lancaster.
The -30s did not seem to make too much of a difference to handling in the wind but recently I fitted the powerflex steering rack bushes and they certainly have made a difference. Have not been out in a very windy day yet but can drive down the motorway now on a breezy day with the steering wheel in a steady position now where before I was always correcting the wandering.
Sold them and replaced with AVO -30s which are much more forgiving over speedbumps and typical worn out UK roads. The last journey with the -70s was down the M6 from Cumbria and the wind made it so bad I turned off to go the A6 route via Lancaster.
The -30s did not seem to make too much of a difference to handling in the wind but recently I fitted the powerflex steering rack bushes and they certainly have made a difference. Have not been out in a very windy day yet but can drive down the motorway now on a breezy day with the steering wheel in a steady position now where before I was always correcting the wandering.
1983 Westy Joker HighTop, 1Z TDI Conversion
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 03 Jun 2013, 10:21
- 80-90 Mem No: 12406
- Location: Weymouth, Dorset
Re: High Top in the wind
Van is booked in with Beetle Magic to have new shocks and 30mm lowering. Will assess the bushes when work is being done.
Also getting a new clutch installed whilst there as i noticed getting into 3rd gear was a little iffy.
Also getting a new clutch installed whilst there as i noticed getting into 3rd gear was a little iffy.
1988 High Top. 1.9 DG
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12659
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: High Top in the wind
nin73 wrote: Also getting a new clutch installed whilst there as i noticed getting into 3rd gear was a little iffy.
Surely if the clutch was shot you'd have trouble getting ALL the gears ?
Save money, learn to drive a van.
Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure