Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 07:56:04 -0500
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Shock advice
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I have sold many sets of Bilsteins and never had one complaint about
them. I have been on this list for years and do not remember any
serious complaints about Bilstein shocks (especially nothing about
mounting pieces breaking off). The only complaint I can remember about
them is that when the folks went on their trip to South America the
custom made Bilsteins had some problems (they were set up for a
syncro). Since these aren't sanctioned by Bilstein, and they were
going over extremely bad roads, I wouldn't put this down as a normal
experience with the Bilstein shock.
Koni shocks are great to think about here in the US, but they are
extremely difficult to get and much more expensive than Bilstein if you
can get them. If you want the best quality shock out there for the
van, that is actually available here in the US, Bilstein is it (now if
you have a syncro Old Man Emu is it, but that is a different story).
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242
----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Date: Friday, December 6, 2002 7:30 pm
Subject: Re: Shock advice
> >all,
> >
> >i'm using Bilsteins and feel very safe with the ride,
> >on the other hand i have older KYB's on my bug and when
> >they go you feel it like every bottom out is WHAM!
> >
> >my Bilsteins seem to dampen the shock in the van, stiff ride
> >with H&R coils. I like german based product plus they race
> >Bilsteins so these get put to the test on and off road.
> >more $$ but I feel i'll get a longer life-time out of them
> >* hoping * well see after i'm done with them. hehe
>
> I have heard repeatedly from listees that they tried Bilsteins and
> the top mounting eyes BROKE OFF.
>
> Konis are as good for handling and do not break. They are designed to
> be rebuildable and adjustable. Actually any damper (the
> shock-absorbers are the SPRINGS, not hydraulic units) can be rebuilt
> by rebuilding specialists. Probably improved too, by using heavier
> oil and reducing the valve hole sizes.
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
> <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
>
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