[Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D Harsh Ride

[Shawn Wright]

Slight correction after checking my figures with my spreadsheet: best TD was
4.76l/100 = 59mpg imperial = 49mpg US. Average TD = 5.3L/100km = 53 MPG Imp
= 44 mpg US. Average for the NA is currently 5.6L/100km = 50mpg imp = 42mpg
US. My mileage figures are probably above normal due to lack of high speed
roadways in my area, so typical highway speed is 80-90km/h.

As for shock choices, I've used the following in my A2s over the years:
Cofap oil, cheap about the same as stock when new, but don't last nearly as
long. KYB gas, quite a but harsher than stock, last fairly long, although
rear will rust out in wet climate. Spax: really nice firm ride but not too
harsh. I have a new set of KYBs on the current 85, and with 14" 60 series
tires, the ride is harsh over rough roads, but decent on the highway. I also
put in new rear springs to fix sagging rear end. I tried urethane bushings
on the old TD, and found them *way* too harsh.

On Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 6:55 PM, Shawn Wright <vwdiesels at gmail.com> wrote:

> I've driven two '85 Jettas since 1990, and have recorded nearly every fill
> in that time. Best mileage with '85 TD was 4.7L/100km, or about 60mpg
> imperial. Best with the current '85 NA model is 56mpg imperial. I have heard
> of slightly better results, but not by much. 60 mpg was 1050 kms on a 50L
> fill.
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 2:50 PM, Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I had once 89 Jetta D with 30k and having diesel set up and test tools (
>> many dealers would be happy to have them ) made the finest adjustments
>> according to extensive diesel experience of my diesel expert friend
>> Andreas
>> Ruppert Norkus Gerhold Gereon Helfenschneider von Gerlach. The best
>> mileage
>> I got was 51.8 MPG. I suggest to check your math. Your statement is
>> particularly suspicious given that the tire pressure was 26 PSI. When I
>> asked my friend to comment on your message, he did say that: " I thought
>> that Muenhousen with his lies and  and braggery is uniquely German
>> phenomenon, but now I see that USA has its own one. Apparently the fellow
>> was driving downhill and helped by 100 mph wind". Ark
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Doyt W. Echelberger" <doyt at buckeye-express.com>
>> To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 8:07 PM
>> Subject: [Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D Harsh Ride
>>
>>
>> >I bought an 89 Jetta D 5spd last month, and have driven it about 400
>> miles.
>> > I'm still sorting it out. It gets 54 mpg but the ride is _considerably_
>> > harsher than my experience with my 85 Jetta TD, which it replaced.
>> >
>> > What do I mean by "Harsh?"  We feel most of the bumps and dividers in
>> the
>> > road, through the seat and lower back, and we hear them also. This is
>> true
>> > at low speeds around a big department store parking lot, and at middle
>> > speeds on average asphalt roads in town. At higher speeds on rural roads
>> > the ride is less harsh, but still uncomfortable for two hour trips.
>> >
>> > The car doesn't exhibit any unbalanced behavior that would suggest a
>> > single
>> > failing shock or strut on one corner.  But I want this great little car
>> to
>> > soak up those harsh roads and ride more like my Mercedes! (More-like,
>> not
>> > same-as.) Is this an impossible dream?
>> >
>> > I'm gonna take it in to a suspension shop and have them go over it. And
>> > I'm
>> > PROBABLY going to have to decide on which new shocks and struts they put
>> > on
>> > the car....KYB,  Bilstien, Monroe, Sachs-Boge, etc.
>> >
>> > Anybody made this choice with good results? By that I mean....did the
>> > harsh
>> > ride get considerably more comfortable? Which manufacturer has earned
>> the
>> > best reputation for making YOUR Jetta ride better? I'm interested in
>> > benefiting from your experience.
>> >
>> > Here is some extra information about the suspension:  It has almost-new
>> > 175-70-R13 Douglas MS tires which I run at 26 psi. I thought one of them
>> > might have a bad belt, so I took off all 4 wheels and balanced them and
>> > checked them for running true. Replaced the passenger rear tire because
>> it
>> > wasn't quite round. (Had about an 1/8 inch high spot in the tread at one
>> > point.) Will use it as a spare.  Ride improved some on smooth roads, but
>> > is
>> > still harsh.
>> >
>> > Also, the car has the original struts and shocks, and is now at 100k
>> miles
>> > and 21 years. The original shocks and struts probably were good for
>> 60-80k
>> > miles, and it probably needs new ones.  WHICH new ones is the
>> > question....and which should I avoid.
>> >
>> > Doyt
>> > in Northern Ohio, near Cedar Point
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
>> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Shawn Wright
>
>


-- 
Shawn Wright