Club 80-90 Forums

...Without replacing the VC that is?
My van had a de-coupler when I bought it about a year ago and I've driven it with the prop de-coupled most of the time except for short periods on some dirt roads maybe 20-30mins at a time at relatively low speed 20-40mph. And once on the way back from Wales in the pouring rain for about an hour + at about 60-70mph. On that occasion I could hardly park up at the service station because the VC was so stiff

When the props engaged there is a knocking sound on full lock but no stiffness.

The van had the de-coupler fitted about 4 years ago and since then tyre rotation has been ignored (by me too!)
Also, the springs/shocks set up, especially at the back, is pretty bad. There's about 4 cm between OS and NS height.
So my questions is, if I replace shocks/springs and have evenly worn tyres, will this improve my existing VC or does it sound like it's FUBAR'd

Thanks

There's about 4 cm between OS and NS height.

That sounds a bit like you might have a snapped pigtail on one of your rear springs...

whs about the height

clicking noise likely to be cv joints but i have heard vc`s make a clicking noise once before also. sounds like the van could do with a jolly good check over.

Yeah a full check up is high on the list of things to do before I go away to Europe in August. I'm not too worried about the VC at the mo' but the springs are a bit of a concern. I'm guessing I'd have to change all 4 at the same time. They're 100k miles old. Is stock best?

"And once on the way back from Wales in the pouring rain for about an hour + at about 60-70mph."

FYI - that is pretty rough on the VC, particularly if you're not properly rotating tires to keep them same diameter. If traction is so bad you need the decoupler engaged, then you engage it. If you're traveling 60-70mph then traction is not bad.

DougM

B.J wrote:Yeah a full check up is high on the list of things to do before I go away to Europe in August. I'm not too worried about the VC at the mo' but the springs are a bit of a concern. I'm guessing I'd have to change all 4 at the same time. They're 100k miles old. Is stock best?

No need to change all four at the same time. Stock is best if you are relatively light but if you have a fully laden camper then you might want to look at some uprated parts. Might be a good time to give her a bit of a lift as well with a lift kit

I have a set of second hand 16" springs for sale if you're interested.

Rob

GoldSyncro wrote:I have a set of second hand 16" springs for sale if you're interested.

Rob

Original springs are all the same only dampers varied

B.J wrote:...So my questions is, if I replace shocks/springs and have evenly worn tyres, will this improve my existing VC or does it sound like it's FUBAR'd

Thanks

Even tyres, wear/pressure will definately help any wind-up, but if VC is already bu88ered it ain't going to fix itself!

After digging through the receipts which go back to 2005, I've found ....
Replace ns/os front cv boots
Fit rear spring? One spring part number 251511105e952. Maybe that will explain the height difference
fit BQ front shocks (sachs) and avo lowered springs .
All from around 2006/7

If I get the time i'll tot up everything in the folder as a guide to prospective owners

AVO "lowered" springs?????

AVO 70mm Lowered springs?

That's what it says on a just kampers invoice as a written side note. Can't actually find a proper invoice for them so I'm hoping it was just an idea he had
It certainly doesn't look lower?

AVO lowered springs on a Syncro?

Good for low bridges Maybe

He was probably mad & owned a couple of T3's.