Hey guys.
We've been on the Fraser during last easter holidays. We had a great time and it was also a good test for our syncro.
We got bogged a couple of times on the deep wheel tracks because of lack of ground clearance of the van. No worries, as we were travelling in a group so got it out with a gentle pull with a snatch - nothing too aggressive. Anyway, we've decided to do something about it. At the moment, I have 200mm clearance at the lowest point (bash brackets under the engine) and about 220mm everywhere else. I've read a bit on the internet on putting shims above the rear springs and there were also some machined inserts (30mm) for the fronts. I was also considering go-westy front springs with 2" but sort of ditched it, as I've read somewhere, that they are too hard for tintops. I have access to a lathe, so might make the front inserts out of nylon. Suggestions?
I've also sourced some VW 15 inch rims, that I'll be putting Firestone Destinations AT 205/75R15 on, which should lift the van for another approx 10mm. A question here would be: small ball nuts for 14mm studs...are they available anywhere in Australia or is order from gowesty, van-cafe, t3techniqueetc. the only option?
I need to but new accelerator cable as well and new bushings for power steering rack attachment, so might join the order. Please suggest, which shop is the way to go.
And to the last, a bit more technical question.
On a few occasions (since December, that I bought syncro) driving fast on very deep sand, the clutch pedal went hard and the clutch wouldn't disengage. The first time it happened I had to drive home on fully engaged clutch. Next day I took the van to the clutch specialist and when he wanted to look at it, it was working normally out of the sudden. It happened on a few other occasions (always while driving rough on the sand). Last time it happened the symptoms disappeared as soon as I opened the hood to try and open the bleeder on the slave to see if that makes the pedal soft.
I tried to find ideas on the internet and similar is mentioned only once on samba, when someone was saying, that the mechanic put the clutch release plate (bearing???) upside down, so it can interfere with some springs and cause it to jam.
This clutch was serviced (new clutch kit, replaced fork with a good second hand one) last September (car travelled 10k km since then) and when this happened for the first time, it was only about 2500km since that service.
Any suggestions to the above highly appreciated.
Cheers
Beau