Syncro 4&4 Discussion and Q&A last answered over 2 years ago.
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Air suspension! More toys for Lloyd's Multivan then
So what are these blue ones off then? Tranny? Used too I thought they would be NOS but just re-read what Pickles said about "took these off and put back to standard" so I take it they were mega-cheap?
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
They are specials, used to beef up the rear suspension on their AA vans, not available to buy, or if they brake, not available to replace either.
What you have to remember is that standard springs are designed for a rear engined van, not a front engined van.
Agreed AA vans have lots of tool boxes and these springs will be for towing also, but so is a T3 syncro and is rear engined.
I would be surprised if they have a higher rating than the T3 spring.
I'm sure Mike will be reading and thinking that "f*cking Baxter pissing on my chips again" but hey ho...
All springs are a compromise even vw ones.
I will fit the AA specials and see what I think, if I like, then they will stay on. If not I will take them off and try something else or go back to standard.
If I had ordered the andrea's springs and then found I didn't like them I would have been gutted.
What happens when you break one off them.
All competition springs 2.25 etc for coil overs are just rated. Not for front mid or rear engine. You pick the spring rates you want to suit your needs. Yes I agree you may have to try a few.
And need shocks that are adjustable.
It's getting emotional...maybe we can add the subject of spring choice to the decoupler/visco/gearbox oil change "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough" discussion roundabout
E D I T: I forgot to mention engine protection too
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
So what are the options for raised springs ?
I have seen loads of lowered springs advertised, but no raised ?
This makes mores sense to me, as mine are old and rusty, than adding spacers and bits of chopping board ?
Thanks
Rich
Good to know his springs are unbreakable.
Hope they are better than the unsinkable Titanic
Can you still order Andreas springs or was that the last batch.
It would be good if someone could stock them.
Otherwise I will have to try the other options.
Including the AA specials. That seem to have caused lots of discussion.
Pickles wrote:All springs are a compromise even vw ones.
I will fit the AA specials and see what I think, if I like, then they will stay on. If not I will take them off and try something else or go back to standard.
If I had ordered the andrea's springs and then found I didn't like them I would have been gutted.
What happens when you break one off them.
All competition springs 2.25 etc for coil overs are just rated. Not for front mid or rear engine. You pick the spring rates you want to suit your needs. Yes I agree you may have to try a few.
And need shocks that are adjustable.
Agreed, what i was trying to say is that I would be surprised if the AA van ones were rated higher than a t3 spring,but I'm a spaz.
Getting a "rate" from a T3 rear spring isn't like a normal nspring as it's a miniblock, made from tapered wire and designed to have a rising rate built in.
The more you load it, the shorter and the fatter the spring becomes, making it firmer the more you load it.
The spring rate is 90NM/mm or 514lbs/inch which is 22.67% up on stock.
The springs are around 10mm longer than stock (free length) and have exactly the same O/D as the normal springs.
I've currently got a set on Limey, a set in a friends single cab syncro, RJES has a set on his Crewcab Syncro (his daily run about) which he generously agreed to test for me. I'll be sending a set out to a syncro specialist in the UK shortly for testing and a set to a friend with a Syncro Camper which I expect will be fitted shortly.
The initial reports are good although it's early days yet. Even on the lighter Syncros (Single cab and Crewcab) they're not pushing the shocks into topping out on speed bumps etc and the van feels just a little more composed and stable than before but still giving a good ride.
the Suplex rep came today, I showed him the picture, he used to work for Mad, he says they made those for vivaros to handle the extra load of towing and the tool boxes.
so, I Am surprised that they are stronger than stock!
Still, not a miniblock though!