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Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 14 May 2017, 19:12
by 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.

Image

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 14 May 2017, 19:29
by 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.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 14 May 2017, 19:49
by bigbadbob76
Thanks Shrig.
That figures. sounds like the passengers side one has been replaced with an upgraded one. :roll:
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.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 14 May 2017, 21:43
by 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?

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 14 May 2017, 22:55
by 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!

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 15 May 2017, 08:34
by colinthefox
I have a good two yellow dot spring on my shelf going spare. P.M me if you're interested.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 15 May 2017, 18:29
by 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.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 15 May 2017, 21:13
by colinthefox
bigbadbob76 wrote: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.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 16 May 2017, 12:11
by bigbadbob76
Thanks for the offer Colin, all a bit confusing TBH. The paint blobs have disappeared long ago on my springs.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 16 May 2017, 21:23
by 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.

Re: Mismatched rear springs.

Posted: 17 May 2017, 14:52
by 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. :D