Mismatched rear springs.

[bigbadbob76]

While shimming my rear springs to try and correct what i though was a bad case of westy lean, i discovered some clutz has fitted mismatched springs. Presumably one broke and was replaced without replacing the other side.
Can anyone tell me which is the correct spring for a late van?
Cheers. BBB.

[shrig1969]

I had mine changed a while ago due 1 being faulty. The one on the left matched the old pair that were replaced.
Had new ones fitted that are similar to the one on the right. A bit of a harder drive but still safe under load.

[bigbadbob76]

Thanks Shrig.
That figures. sounds like the passengers side one has been replaced with an upgraded one.
On mine, the weaker one was on the drivers side where the most weight is, so I swapped them over for now and removed one of my westy lean shims.
She now sits level but I should probably replace them both with matching new ones.

[bigbadbob76]

Next question-
I'm not sure how the spring colour codes work, yes I've read the wiki but...
Are vw springs with 2 x yellow dots all the same size shape and rating?
ie: 2x yellow t25 springs the same as 2x yellow T5 springs?

[RogerT]

Hey Bob, if you'd put this up a couple of years ago we'd have ended up with matching pairs! They're the same mine were. I still have the beefy non tapered one. The other broke while on our hols, only discovered they were mismatched when I came to replace them. The tapered one was on the drivers side. Can't mind if the van leant over - certainly did all the way home from that trip away!

[colinthefox]

I have a good two yellow dot spring on my shelf going spare. P.M me if you're interested.

[bigbadbob76]

Hmmm... so your van's P.O. did the same Roger?
trying to save money I guess.

Thanks Colin, If I could be sure my later spring is definately a 2x yellow I'd be interested, can't be sure what the P.O's mechanic has put in there though, could be off a trabant for all I know so I'd rather have a pair I know are the same.

There's a pair of 2x yellows on e-bay advertised as being for a T5. Not sure if T5 2 x yellow are the same as T25 2 x yellow.

[colinthefox]

If I could be sure my later spring is definately a 2x yellow.

Sorry bbb, I thought you had identified one "two yellow dot" spring already.

[bigbadbob76]

Thanks for the offer Colin, all a bit confusing TBH. The paint blobs have disappeared long ago on my springs.

[RogerT]

I got two "standard" springs from BW, https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/s ... ellow.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which look much the same as the left hand spring in your photo(and the one that broke on mine). No idea (obviously) what was on there originally, and neither had any paint marks...

No idea if the rear sits any lower than previously, as I've no before and after measurements, but it looks like it does? Or am I just being paranoid. Drives fine tho.

[bigbadbob76]

Thanks Roger.
hmmmm.... so your BW yellows look like my left one and Shrig's replacements look like my right one.
Think I need to just buy a matching pair and be done with it.
Luckily it's a simple job to change em.