Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:56:39 -1000
Reply-To: Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mick Kalber <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] r & p mounting bushings need 89 syncro westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> Worn bushings on the steering rack would only effect the TOE setting on
the
> alignment, not Caster or Camber. it seems to me that any movement in the
> steering rack would make equal deflections on both front tires, so the
> relationship between the two wheels would remain the same. because of
this I
> would expect very little change in the alignment (TOE).
yeah... after discussing this at length with several people on the list and
my trusted vw mech, I have decided to have him take a look at the bushings
to see if he thinks they are worn. He tells me that he has rarely ever
replaced rack and pinion mounting bushings on any vanagon, regardless of age
or mileage. since mine is an 89 with only 54K original miles on her, he and
I both find it hard to believe that the bushings would be worn out... but
that the "play" in the bushings is probably normal. especially since
several listmembers have told me that brand new bushings will still have
"play" when installed.
so, once he looks at them I will probably just get some new tires. Thing is
I want to go up to 15 inchers... but now I want some decent alloys to put
them on. I want something that fits rather than something I have to
modify... looking at ronals and ken's sa sunbursts. both are nice. then
throw some bfg at ko's or michelin ltx's on and see if the problem isn't
rectified. my guess is that the invisible tread separation in my mxt's is
what is throwing the whole thing off. I think that's why she wanders a bit.
after proper mounting, balancing and alignment of new tires and wheels, I'll
bet she's good as gold... only about $1500 later. yikes. well, that's what
I get for living in paradise I guess... but we don't buy winter clothes, we
don't heat the house, we don't shovel snow or scrape ice, and my syncro does
not dance on the pavement in january. food however is expensive. and
shipping from the really big island (the mainland) is very high. pros and
cons I guess.
thanks for everyone's advice on this one. I'll report results when they
come in.
aloha,
Mick Kalber
89 Syncro Westy "Daddeo"
Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
62 Halaulani Place
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
808-935-5557
808-935-0066 (fax)
hotlava@interpac.net
www.volcanoscapes.com
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