Can I swap front dampers over?Resolved

[Scruffy]

Knocking, again, from the front of the van. In an effort to identify if it, as I suspect, a failed damper, can I swap them over? I will be checking the drop links and ARB but the noise is similar to when one of the rear dampers failed so we, ( the garage and I ) will be looking at the dampers.

Also, how many miles should you get out of a set of Koni Active? I'm on 83k now, but I'm still thinking back to my old T6 which is on 170k on original suspension with a full camper conversion.

 

[Scruffy]

In answer to the question-no.

Yet another broken drop link.

 

[64 SPLIT]

Out of interest were they the standard type of drop link that are just a curved piece of metal rather than the solid rod type?

 

[Scruffy]

Out of interest were they the standard type of drop link that are just a curved piece of metal rather than the solid rod type?

Sorry I don't know, it was an original replaced with another VW part. All I know is it looks straight.

 

[64 SPLIT]

I think the originals are the U-shaped metal. I ordered some replacements from THQ and they're a solid bar. Figure they must be much stronger.

 

[CRS Performance]

I think the originals are the U-shaped metal. I ordered some replacements from THQ and they're a solid bar. Figure they must be much stronger.

The solid bar is better , but the Meyle ones we dont like as they arent stronger and definitely not heavier duty . The mounting point face is also too small and they also move under load which makes more noise ,Buy the Lemforder ones from E C Parts ., they are the BEST

 

[64 SPLIT]

Thanks for the info - hopefully these from THQ will be ok. If I need to replace again though I'll defo go with the Lemforders.

 

[CRS Performance]

Knocking, again, from the front of the van. In an effort to identify if it, as I suspect, a failed damper, can I swap them over? I will be checking the drop links and ARB but the noise is similar to when one of the rear dampers failed so we, ( the garage and I ) will be looking at the dampers.

Also, how many miles should you get out of a set of Koni Active? I'm on 83k now, but I'm still thinking back to my old T6 which is on 170k on original suspension with a full camper conversion.

Just a note on shock life span

Generally the oil in a shock gets as hot as the oil in the motor , leaving it much past 60 k will simply see the handling and safety aspect of the van deplete , it may pass an MOT and it might not be leaking , but it definitely wont work as well as it should .

Koni dampers use much better oil and a valve system that doesnt stress the oil as much so they last a lot longer .

A standard damper in a camper isnt great when new , but at 170 k would be pretty useless to be honest and i wouldn't trust it