Front suspensions question/clarification

[Miloki]

I had the DoberDeli inspected before I bought it. The mechanic said the front end dove on braking, and that even though the shocks looked good, the fluid inside must be old and broken down or something. So, after reading up on everything I could find about shocks, I ordered a set of Pro-Comp 9000 shocks. They should be here tomorrow (as an amusing aside, DHL forgot them in Calgary - out of 3 pieces for delivery, they delivered 1 today - so I now have 1 headlight and two shock boots LOL).

Driving around in it, I did notice the tendency to dive when braking BUT I stopped in to talk to the mechanic about what I needed done (I figured I may as well show him the vehicle rather than describe it). HE says the shocks are fine - when you push down on the front end, it comes back up without all the extra bouncing that indicate shocks are worn out. He crawled around underneath it and said the torsion bar is adjustable and that's probably all it needs.

So I got back to the house here and looked at the paperwork from the previous owner - the torsion bars had been adjusted by Coombs County in November, and I'm guessing it's not likely that they got it wrong, so now I'm at a loss as to what to do with it. It definitely "dives" when braking - not severely, but the front end noticeably goes down (10 degrees according to the dash thingy under average braking). The front end does feel a bit bouncy. Is this just normal for Delis?

I looked up torsion bars, but most of what I found talked about adjusting them to gain clearance without putting a lift kit in - I don't want to do that, but on the other hand maybe it was done anyway because I don't have stock tires on it...

Anyway, would like to hear input, opinions, from people who are more familiar with Delis than either of the mechanics that have looked at it!

[jrman]

Based on the info - I would still recommend going with the shocks you've bought. They are a great product and I hope will improve your ride. If CC did the bars - then yes, they are probably ok.

So - that leads to the answer you seems to be realizing already - these are somewhat "bouncy" vehicles. It's just the design - and something that you would likely notice from any vehicle where the driver is placed right over the wheels (I personally like it!!!!)

I recommend going with the new shocks (shocks really should be done every 60K anyway depending on driving conditions - not based on whether they are leaking or not) and enjoy the ride.

Good luck!

[Erebus]

So I got back to the house here and looked at the paperwork from the previous owner - the torsion bars had been adjusted by Coombs County in November, and I'm guessing it's not likely that they got it wrong, so now I'm at a loss as to what to do with it. It definitely "dives" when braking - not severely, but the front end noticeably goes down (10 degrees according to the dash thingy under average braking). The front end does feel a bit bouncy. Is this just normal for Delis?

It bounces more than mine, and more than Green1's, which is why we recommended replacing the shocks. Keep in mind that you are sitting on top of the front axle, so nosediving is much more noticeable than in a "normal" vehicle.

I looked up torsion bars, but most of what I found talked about adjusting them to gain clearance without putting a lift kit in - I don't want to do that, but on the other hand maybe it was done anyway because I don't have stock tires on it...

Much of the adjusting is done to level the Deli, the nose has sagged over time. Bruce (Mystery Machine) has posted great instructions on doing the adjustments, and I think that's what CC did.

Glad you like it so far!

[Miloki]

It bounces more than mine, and more than Green1's, which is why we recommended replacing the shocks.

I wasn't sure if that recommendation was yours as well as the mechanics. Knowing that it bounces more than either of yours certainly puts it into perspective!

Keep in mind that you are sitting on top of the front axle, so nosediving is much more noticeable than in a "normal" vehicle.

Right - didn't think of that, but makes perfect sense from a physics point of view.
An ex-boyfriend of mine had a VW bus - I was thinking today of how bouncy that thing was, but it was also in pretty rough shape, so I wasn't sure it was a very relevant comparison.

Bruce (Mystery Machine) has posted great instructions on doing the adjustments, and I think that's what CC did.

Thanks. I've found that and printed it off - I noticed it gives what the stock adjustment is supposed to be, so I will take that in to the mechanic.