Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

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VonZu
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Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by VonZu »

I am lookng into a few upgrades to our Autohomes Komet.
Last year, we drove approx. 5500km. It was in a lot of ways a very pleasant trip. No trouble, save for a bust tyre.
But I do feel that the stock suspension may be a bit lacking for a fully loaded high top camper. High COG and quite some weight makes it a bit wobbly. And strong side winds are "pretty challenging".

I don't want to go any lower, as I want the ground clearance.
215 tyres are on the way in.

So I have been looking at suspension.
Does anyone have any experience with the 2wd suspension upgrade kit from Bernd Jaeger?
Current:
'91 Oettinger Syncro Mutlivan 3.2 - '90 Autohomes Komet 2.1 - '87 Syncro Half-panel 2.1 - '85 Transporter 1.9 - '77 Bay 1600
Ex:
'90 Autohomes Komet 1.6TD

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lhd
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by lhd »

I would upgrade the steering bushes to poly ones, this makes a massive difference to the swaying of a vehicle, they are less than £30 and can be fitted in less than an hour,really easy job and probably the best pound for pound upgrade available IMHO.
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... d=steering" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Rob.

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VonZu
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by VonZu »

Poly bushes will be installed. That's for certain. The price makes them a no-brainer.
Current:
'91 Oettinger Syncro Mutlivan 3.2 - '90 Autohomes Komet 2.1 - '87 Syncro Half-panel 2.1 - '85 Transporter 1.9 - '77 Bay 1600
Ex:
'90 Autohomes Komet 1.6TD

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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by Titus A Duxass »

I totally agree with Rob.
Fit a complete set of poly bushes and check the shocks.

If they are, like mine were, the original they will be soggy.

I fitted new shocks and had the poly bushes done at the same time - the difference is amazing.

Have you got the chin spoiler fitted?
They make a big difference to the road holding.
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

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VonZu
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by VonZu »

I didn't think about the chin spoiler... Now it's on the list.

But will there be an advantage if I go for the kit from Jaeger?

I have searched for statements regarding these kits, but can't find anything useful. The syncro-kits keep popping up all the time though.
The only info I find is that they are approx. 50% harder than the originals. And what Jaeger says on his own page.
Current:
'91 Oettinger Syncro Mutlivan 3.2 - '90 Autohomes Komet 2.1 - '87 Syncro Half-panel 2.1 - '85 Transporter 1.9 - '77 Bay 1600
Ex:
'90 Autohomes Komet 1.6TD

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lhd
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by lhd »

When I got the syncro someone had put a set of 2WD Van magnums on the rear and I liked them, I had the HD Boges on my last van up front and they were good too, didn't really notice any difference in sway but it lost it's front end bounce.

I Just renewed the top wishbone bushes and they have made a big difference in stability, but they were really bad, clonking on turns and squeaking all the time.
Rob.

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AdrianC
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by AdrianC »

VonZu wrote:I didn't think about the chin spoiler... Now it's on the list.

Removing the original three-piece spoiler from our hightop has made no difference whatsoever to the road behaviour. If you like the look of it, and are willing to put up with the risk of grounding it, then fit one. But don't fit one to try to get a big change to the stability.

I don't know anything about the Norwegian roadworthiness test - does it check the condition of suspension bushes (like ours) and whether the dampers are actually doing anything useful (ours doesn't, only if they're leaking).
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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VonZu
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by VonZu »

AdrianC wrote:I don't know anything about the Norwegian roadworthiness test - does it check the condition of suspension bushes (like ours) and whether the dampers are actually doing anything useful (ours doesn't, only if they're leaking).
Only checks for leaking dampers. They have to be seriously flimsy to be noted as a fault.
Mine aren't leaking or anything. And I wouldn't say shocks and springs are seriously worn, nor the bushes for that matter. But I would nonetheless like an upgrade, as I think the original setup could do with an improvement as i find that driving a high top is quite something different than ordinary height cars.
Current:
'91 Oettinger Syncro Mutlivan 3.2 - '90 Autohomes Komet 2.1 - '87 Syncro Half-panel 2.1 - '85 Transporter 1.9 - '77 Bay 1600
Ex:
'90 Autohomes Komet 1.6TD

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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Experience with Bernd Jaeger 2wd suspension upgrade kit?

Post by Titus A Duxass »

AdrianC wrote:
VonZu wrote:I didn't think about the chin spoiler... Now it's on the list.

Removing the original three-piece spoiler from our hightop has made no difference whatsoever to the road behaviour. If you like the look of it, and are willing to put up with the risk of grounding it, then fit one. But don't fit one to try to get a big change to the stability.

I found that it made quite a difference, VW didn't produce them for fun.
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

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