Suspension improvements

[Alfredo]

We just spent a lovely weekend in Suffolk, the weather Gods were smiling on us.

Rather than thundering along the A14 for hours we picked our way across using smaller A and B roads, same on the way home.

Whilst this was enjoyable, the thumps and bangs from underneath the van, over every pothole or bump in the road, began to become a nuisance.

So, can I have some suggestions to improve this please?
1988 Autosleeper pop top, standard height, 14" wheels (for now - 15" some time in the not too distant future)

Shock absorbers? Springs? Bump stops? Powerflex bushes? Something else?

A list of what to upgrade and what brands would be very helpful. I'm not particularly mechanically minded, so please keep it simple?

[Aidan]

If the dampers are shot then replacing them with stock ones (Sachs/Boge); (and would normally get my vote), though some might prefer an 'upgrade' option from Bilstein or to try the cheaper alternatives (six front damper choices at Brickwerks, but really you need a mechanic to check the ball joints, upper wishbone bushes, radius rod bushes, springs and dampers and ARB bushes and fittings to properly assess the real problem/need, no point in just spending money on new stuff if you don't know the condition of what you already have; history of the van and previous work also informs the decision making process

[Alfredo]

That's a really useful answer for me, thanks for taking the time to post it.

I will speak to my regular garage and ask about those things.

Thank you.

[Alfredo]

I had my suspension components checked over by my local garage (see attached image) and they think the main reason it is a harsh ride is that the previous owner has put heavy duty shocks and springs on it. It is also slightly lowered.
Additionally it wouldn't hurt to replace the bushes on the ARB

Apart from the thumps and bangs over the smallest of potholes, it drives and handles well. What difference in handling could I expect if I took it back to standard shocks / springs / height?
 
Also gas vs oil shocks. Could someone give me the pro's and con's please?

[silverbullet]

If its been lowered and the bump stops are still standard length then it will be harsh. Basically your springs will be hardly allowing any wheel travel before the hard rubber stops start doing al the work.
Caravelles with -30mm had shorter bump stops as original.

[silverbullet]

https://brickwerks.co.uk/blog/t3-transp ... RdKD_UlqQq

[Alfredo]

TA Technix is what I have

[silverbullet]

Those are short, hard springs. Never heard of the damper brand, if they aren't Eibach or H&R with Bilstein or Konis they aren't worth having imo.

[Alfredo]

Those are short, hard springs. Never heard of the damper brand, if they aren't Eibach or H&R with Bilstein or Konis they aren't worth having imo.

Thanks for the reply


Do you think the Brickwerks Einbach spring set and some Bilstein b4 dampers would improve things?

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/spring-set ... ibach.html

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/damper-t3- ... 4-gas.html

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/damper-t3- ... 4-gas.html


Is there a better damper than the B4?
(1988 Autosleeper pop top 2wd)

 

[cobblers]

I had those shocks and springs on a van. Horrible, particularly bad because whoever fitted them didn't shorten the front bumpstops so there was hardly any travel at all, it was uncomfortable and tiresome.

My blue Caravelle had Bilstein B4s and those eibach -35mm springs and it was absolutely lovely to drive, a completely different animal. If anything it felt better than stock.

[silverbullet]

I am more concerned about this detail, which looks like a fracture of the upper spring seat pressing with a piece missing, or am I looking at it wrong?

[Alfredo]

I can't answer that, hopefully someone else can.

[T3luestar]

Mine also looks a bit odd.

[Cecil]

Here is a picture of mine I think it just looks odd from that angle (the same as yours )however it looks like the spring has displaced the rubber mounting somewhat on yours!

[Aidan]

Stock springs and dampers work well, especially when all new - VW spent a lot of time and money making them right (the optimum compromise) and mating them to the chassis with correctly fitting rubber/composite parts

Some of the aftermarket stuff fits well, a lot of it doesn't - I have seen spring turrets and abutment plates cut through by aftermarket springs that didn't properly seat on the trailing arms; also the bushings in the eyes of the oem dampers are generally bigger (and were rubber) than some are now (which may be poly) so had more 'give', but that 'give' was designed into the whole system same as the high aspect tyres and specific tyre pressures.

Personally I didn't like BilsteinsB6 that were on my SA van, when SA was the only country that they were available in, weird that now they sell them in Europe; it may have been because they were tired (old) but I found you'd reach full compression and then the gas would give and you'd get a little step more compression which could be slightly disconcerting - at the time I was driving up and down the A49 a fair bit and doing it faster than I would these days, but 15 years ago it was in a better state than it is now

ymmv