increasing T3 vanagon stability

[giuguar]

Hello everybody,
I own a T3 westfalia TD1.6, at the moment I'm renewing the engine; after that I'm going to renew schock absorbers coils etc. In order to increase stability I don't want to modify the height of suspensions so I would like to add some spacers between the disk brake and the wheel to enlarge a bit the distance between wheels, I suppose this, together with larger tyres, will increase stability. Do you think is this causing some damage in a long while to the steering or the brackets of the schock absorbers or whateverelse? I need you opinion guys!
Thanks for your time.

Giuguar

[Ian Hulley]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=86

Welcome to the forum

Ian

[bigherb]

It's a very complex subject with lots of permutations, It's roll stiffness that has more effect than widening the track. Fitting spacers could just make it wander in a straight line which is not then stable, it also puts more load on the wheel bearings. VW got it pretty good anyway, with decent dampers they handle quite well.

[giuguar]

Thanks for the welcome!
What you say confirms my suspects that spacers are not such a good solution for stability. Maybe better larger rims and tyres and reinforced schock absorbers and coils.
Talking about bushes I realized that probably my vanagon is not equipped with front anti roll bar! by the way, does it exist also a rear anti roll bar?
I have been searching over the internet quite a bit for it, but without success, anybody has any suggestion were to buy it? In the website you gave me they sell only the drop link for the anti roll bar.
Any hint?

Thanks

Giuguar

[Bad Dog 13]

Not meaning to hijack, but i would also like to know where to get hold of a rear anti roll bar. Pretty sure they do them.

[CovKid]

On mine I fitted Merc steel wheels (15" ET25) which pushed the wheels out slightly but not enough to cause issues with the sliding door and no need for spacers. I replaced the drop link bushes (these are usually knackered if they've not been touched) which really stiffened up the front end (£8 at most) and replaced a rear trailing arm that was rotting on top but not obvious without removing wheel and really probing about in there .

Difference was awesome. Predictable and sure-footed on corners and no more 'cosy armchair' feel it had before. I'd investigate those areas before chucking money at it as its often just basic stuff that needs attention/renewal. Shocks help even out the bouncing but have less impact on stiffness in cornering.

[faggie]

i fitted the uprated front and rear anti roll bars and the difference was amazing

[giuguar]

Ehy Faggie, where did you find the kit for the rear anti roll bar?!? Please tell me, I'm getting crazy in finding it! I'm looking everywhere with no results! any clue will be appreciated.
I'm going to raise 3-4 cm my vanagon (2WD) and I think that a rear antiroll bar is a good solution for the missing stability due to the raising of chassis, isn't it?

G.

[faggie]

the kit came from germany you have to replace the front and rear as a set as the front antiroll bar is alot thicker than what ve ever fitted the rear is very time consuming to fit

[giuguar]

Faggie, do you have any internet reference or an email for that please?

[faggie]

i bought them from a vw show i also have a genuine vw anti roll bar they occasionally come up on german ebay this is thinner than the aftermarket one as its is used with the standard vw front antiroll bar