I started by replacing the shocks on all 4 corners - notable improvement in ride quality. Then - while under the van looking at the front suspension I got a bit carried away over last winter - beam off, welded in a CSP adjuster, shot blast and 2-pack black, new rollbar mountings, new drag link, new tie rods, new trailing arm ball joints, new swivel pin, new calipers, re-furbed disc backing plates! After all of that of course - it drove like the circus clown car until camber and toe were re-set. Now drives really well.
Went on my first proper trip out today and the steering problem wasn't too bad. Just get's a bit wobbly at about 45-55mph. I put some air in the tyres too so they are 40psi at the back and 30 at the front. Before they were all about 25psi. Got it booked in at ProTyre tomorrow, the only place I can find locally so hopefully they can tweak the tracking to get it spot on.
25 was a bit low. For laden van with stock tyres its 2.1 Bar for the front and 3.25 Bar for the rear so you are close to what they should be.
I know its a question of $$$$$$$$$$$.................... but I can pretty much guarantee a total transformation of the old girls handling with a new set of tyres. I speak from experience. Tony
If you're running on old rubber, worth changing anyway. Many folk are probably driving around on tyres that are 20 years old - not good. I had one of the original tyres on my bus completely burst its sidewall. If your bus is stock height, you need a good set of commercial tyres of the right size with the right ply rating. The things form part of the suspension on a vehicle that sits 15 feet up in the air. I've got Avon Supervans, and they're just fine.
Thanks for all the replies. The tyres on the bus are quite new, but I will look at getting the changed in the next few months. Took the bus to ProTyre and they were very helpful. They did it whilst I was waiting, and took me through to the workshop to show me how it all worked, and exactly what the were changing. I went out on some nice long Devon roads today and the steering is now loads better, and I feel a lot more relaxed whilst driving. It did seem to pull a little bit when I was going down hill though, but as I've never driven any other T2 I don't really know what is normal and what isn't! Hopefully this thread will be helpful to others in the future.
