Worn Out Bus Shocks - Replacement.....

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by willster, Nov 17, 2017.

  1. My bus shocks have seen better days and I'm looking to replace. At the same time, I want to try and improve the handling with relatively simple mods. After lots of reviewing / several recommendations, I'm thinking I'll go with Ratwell's advice and fit oil filled Boges and a HD front Sway Bar:

    Ratwell - "Oil filled shocks and a HD front sway bar provides best balance of handling and comfort"......

    Any thoughts on this welcome and appreciated?????
     
  2. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Boge shocks are fine, Ive been using them on both our buses with no issues.

    Handling wise, check everything in the steering, suspension and tracking department are all fine and not worn (ie, steering idler pin has no play, steering coupling rubber is not cracked) and also check the rear suspension donut rubbers for wear and tear.
     
  3. Thanks and will do........
     
    MorkC68 likes this.
  4. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    no problem! :)
     
  5. Any idea if the new Boges will still fit should I decide to lower the van later?? Nothing extreme, just looking at lowering by a couple of inches - best/simplest way at the rear is, I think, to take-off the rear swing arms and move them around a couple of splines and put back on. At the front looking to replace the steering knuckles with dropped-spindles??
     
  6. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    I had Boge rear, KYB Gas adjusts up front on our westy when we lowered it on drop spindles.

    Have a read of Rob.E's thread on how he lowered his bus & what products he used, its a really informative thread:

    http://www.thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/winnie-the-poo-update-interior-dash-table.35599/
     
  7. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    If you ever lower it and find yourself removing the bump stops as a part of lowering, the stock shocks are likely to bottom out heavily and BANG! at about the same time as the tyres hit the wheel arch.
    Otherwise no issue.

    But reducing suspension travel by simple lowering means you will need stiffer suspension to avoid whacking something at full travel. Either that or the stiffened suspension will simply be your stock suspension riding harshly on the bump stops on the extreme.
    Or use coilover shocks to stiffen up and increase damping to make it harder to rub.

    I now have to hit a bump hard to get it to bottom. When I first got my bus the fastest I could go on some roads was under 20mph before banging and rubbing, now its more like 40mph.
     
  8. Thanks. I’ve heard oil shocks can be a bit ‘soft’, but equally KYB Gas can ride too harshly - will bare this in mind re need for stiffer suspension. I also didn’t want to fit boges and find out later, if I decide to lower the van, that they aren’t compatible with lowering. Any lowering will be minimal.
     
  9. Boge oil filled are what vw fitted as standard
     

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