Sprinter Suspension Explained

A detailed explanation of the basics of Sptinter suspension. Get yours at owlvans.com?KZbin&CCG&Description
Questions about our gear or your van? Me and the team can answer them for you, free. Give us a call at 866-505-9277.
Owl Vans goes through the basic function of springs, shocks, and swaybars on how your van drives and rides.

[@my_king.]

I don't know anything about cars, vans or trucks, somehow your detailed explanation makes perfect sense to me. Great job.... Thank you!

[@johnravert2377]

Best ever non-engineer explanation of what's going on down under any vehicle. Congrats, and kudos - this kind of content can only add to the level of trust people have in your content, which obviously influences sales. Great job - keep them coming!

[@user-pc7ph3qp8t]

Fantastic explanation of the suspension components on a Sprinter van. Super simple and easy to understand. Loved the French Press analogy...Nice job John!

[@thename9552]

French press. What a great unexpected analogy. Perfect.

[@owlvansengineering]

Thanks :)

[@zacharyzamora6889]

Great explanation! Thanks

[@sailorcto]

Great, great explanation on suspensions, components and use cases (on-road, off-road, etc.). Thank you.

[@varsigdorsson6345]

I did Rally in the old days, then I often had to think in terms of solutions. when i got my new sprinter the rear suspension was hopeless after the car was fitted. The rear end was thrown up, if driving on rough terrain. Instead of spending a lot of money on new dampers, I bought another pair of original dampers, and welded the damper eyes together, side by side. It's been like this for 3 years, great suspension, double safety and simple :-) And I live in Iceland, my car has been driven 30 thousand. km. on Iceland's bad mountain roads

[@michaelcamacho4231]

Thanks John! 2013 Thor Motor Coach Citation Sprinter upgraded Springs here I come....

[@owlvansengineering]

awesome

[@xiangchen2569]

Your explanations are damn good ❤

[@nfri5108]

great video...scheduled to get my 4.3 from Owl denver next month..I tried to resist but too many happy customers convinced me it is the way to go...

[@jaimegonzalez103]

You do a great job explaining! Thank you!!

[@howarddavis6232]

For a bean counter (accountant) your explanation was excellent. Well done.

[@Duda4711]

Great explanation specifically to the different requirements on versus off road!

[@dthomas3065]

Thank you great explanation of what can seem complicated.

[@LW-io4sw]

Absolutely great explanation! Thanks!

[@johnwilliamson9453]

Great explanation John!

[@JQuito1070]

Thanks...well Done!

[@joemamamia1751]

Absolutely wonderful vid! Thank you!!

[@roam4fun853]

Good fundamental explanation.

[@alanjamieson2921]

Thanks for the video. Much appreciated.

[@johngrant1337]

Good class and great teaching thanks

[@davidrosen4951]

Awesome clear explanation. Thanks much!

[@martinpouyat3394]

Excellent explanation, thanks!

[@timsanchez2860]

Absolutely nailed it … hopefully people can understand it!

[@chrisgrover2134]

Excellent information - thank you

[@bobbyGnOly]

Very well done, I learned alot. Thank you

[@themosaito]

Great video! Thanks so much!

[@TRabocse]

Thank you. Very clear explanation 👍🏼

[@magicalmartinable]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@davidlipton2424]

Great video, answered All my questions. Thanks

[@karenbanzer955]

great explanation !!!

[@danischulze8021]

Excellent explanation! Thank you, now I totally understand. 👏👏👏👏

[@PhuocNguyen-js6hy]

👍Awesome awesome

[@moneypitvan6378]

What a good video. Amazing idea to share this with people that don't know anything about this stuff.

[@JeffJones-im1dx]

Understandable...thanks

[@eastvaleboy]

Excellent explanation

[@eddienacini6953]

Owls are very wise thanks for the vid.

[@owlvansengineering]

ha ha, I see what you did there ;)

[@SuperSteer]

Great video!

[@kongkevin5373]

I Learn a lot. Thanks

[@chrishague7068]

Good talk very well explained thank you

[@bullbareback4026]

Super helpful, cheers mate

[@larryheiny5287]

good informational vid

[@42StevoStyle]

Great job

[@dougtarter8713]

Great Explanation! hmm. seems like I remember you setting up "Stroker Ace's" race car in that movie? 🍿 😁

[@dare2view]

Great explanation on back suspension, can you explain about the front section of the suspension

[@shirley-BEE-Van-Life____]

Great info.

[@jamesdeanphoto]

Excellent explanation, well done!

[@naluryder]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ronbusio6284]

Thanks for sharing. Greetz Ron Holland

[@diamondsontour]

Great video, thanks. I think there's another reason stock vans have the spring rates that they do. It's because the majority of sprinter vans are used in their daily lives with only small payloads. A delivery company with a few parcels will only be carrying a little weight. In contrast, when you build out a camper, you're running fully laden all the time, which is beyond the design specification as they're designed to be reasonable for most users. If they built them to be right for someone that runs it fully laden all the time, it would be way too hard for the majority of people that use them less than half full most of the time. At least, that's my theory.

[@ruiten4]

Top explantion. Riding on the pumpstops with Sumo's you don't want is give's to much pressure on one point on your chassis with risk of breakage.

[@bobberger3764]

The best explanation I have been able to find. The question is, where should I get the work done? Will a dealer do it on an RV Class C

[@johnwillenborg]

We have locations on NorCal, SoCal and Colorado

[@wokthetalk3079]

Thank you John, Where I agree with everything you noted in this video, I can’t help but feel that it is such waste to drive off a RV dealership with say a new Revel but only to replace a bunch of new parts right away with new updated parts. I noticed that Agile’s RIP Kit utilizes front coil springs (which I am thinking is my preference) while the Vancompass 6.5 Kit has front Sumosprings. I was wonder if you would be willing to share your opinion on these front spring choices? Also, can one add say a RIP or 6.5 Kit for example and opt out of lifting the vehicle? I plan to add 245/70-R17 BFG KO2’s rather than the larger tire/rim choices in hopes to minimize further raising the C of G and thus impacting further, swaying. Any opinions John on tire/wheel/lift and the impacts on the C of G?

[@owlvansengineering]

Our preference is the 4.3 from Van Compass as we feel it is the best option available. While you will see improvement with the Agile kit as well, the unibody was not designed to carry load there the shocks mount so a coil spring there can cause long term issues.

[@Agileoffroad]

@@owlvansengineering Very informative video John. Thanks for sharing. The only thing we'd disagree with you on is your point about the effect of the coil-assist we add to the front strut. The logic you used to explain how the rear is under-sprung for the weight of a built out van applies to the front suspension as well. A relatively light 200-lb. assist spring isn't going to cause any long term issues (but works wonders in terms of ride improvement). Just like any other traditional coilover strut configuration, we install a very durable (and replaceable) bearing on top of the strut to alleviate any stress on the upper strut mounts.

[@sparrowfoodsolutions2804]

Would you consider putting up a video comparing agile off roads rip kit vs van compass?

[@papasaur]

@@matthewjswider which one do you think is more effective? especially wrt ride comfort for passenger in the rear?

[@matthewjswider]

papasaur couldn’t tell you tbh.

[@weekendwarrior4790]

Could do a video on a Sprinter suspension install? 🙏🏽

[@TheHurdlemaster]

I feel every bump on the road on my sprinter. It rides like a school bus. It's only 37k miles. Do you think it's the shocks that need to be replaced?

[@tc3imagery]

Thanks for such a great great explanation. Does the general benefits of firmer stiffer suspensions that I am just now learning about (making better handling and less vehicle lean) also apply to taller vehicles like high roof sprinters? I recently bought a 2008 sprinter 2500 RWD 144” high roof (with a DIY camper buildout that brings total van weight to almost 7,000 lbs) that needs new leaf springs (each spring has a cracked front eye). I would like to upgrade from the factory monoleafs (1 leaf), so I would like to get a 2 or 3 leaf spring, for the increased load capacity. I’m wondering if increasing to 2 or 3 leaves will just be so super annoyingly bumpy when going over bumps or dips, if the spring’ load capacities are not met. I also wonder if the stiffer 2 or 3 leaf springs will translate to this high roof van dangerously or worryingly leaning over around curves. Or will it do the opposite and reduce the chance of that happening? Any thoughts on this? Or any other cons of getting more-leaved springs (vs the pro of increased load capacity)? Thanks!

[@owlvansengineering]

The short answer is you want the correct spring rate for the weight of your van. I would get the van weighed (truck stop) and then give our customer support a call and they can get the right leafs for you.

[@tc3imagery]

@@owlvansengineering Great, thanks! I already have that weight, so I'll give you a call now.

[@othess.2718]

Thanks for the video...So if you are not adding any significant weight to your sprinter (Current weight about 6100 lbs), and you just want better ride quality (on Forest roads), then you really dont need to change the Springs....maybe just adjustable shocks?? Does that sound right? or did I misunderstand. Thanks again.

[@owlvansengineering]

That is correct. The van empty is sprung well. It is when you start adding weight that it becomes a problem. Shocks would help but springs are likely unnecessary

[@othess.2718]

@@owlvansengineering Awesome!! Thanks a lot... Shocks have been ordered!! LOL. Thanks a lot for the advice!

[@bobmccarthy5636]

Love your videos, I find them informative and useful. Just a tad confused by this one. When ordering a new Sprinter there are several configurations to choose from and that includes different suspension configurations, from comfort (soft), where the volume of the cargo area is more important than the load, up to heavy duty suspension and air suspension. I don't see the sense in just trying whatever the dealer happens to have on the lot and buying that considering the investment involved. I also find it a tad unrealistic for Mercedes to deliberately configure the suspension based on a test drive of an empty vehicle when the vast majority of their global Sprinter sales are fleet sales. Not trying to be a smart-ass here, just not sure that part of the video is 100% correct.

[@ajrollan5304]

Are you doing the van compass 6.5 upgrade for sto

[@fboest]

Guys...is there any good kit made or tips how to make 2020 Sprinter lower? Main problem is rear end, rear leaf springs...

[@geezercam9070]

John.. will Sumo bump stops help with on road, back and forth sway? I've replaced the shocks with Koni's but don't want to replace springs because I don't want to increase vehicle height (to hard to get in).

[@owlvansengineering]

The most important change needed is the rear spring rate. Sumos are great but you don't want to ride on the bump stops. The height of the front of the van, where you get in, isn't really changed by raising the rear.

[@geezercam9070]

@@owlvansengineering Thsnks

[@ifly64s]

@@owlvansengineering from what you've taught us I would say the rear leaf upgrade does not lift the rear at all because it merely returns the van to it's showroom height before the load was added?

[@ryanc3656]

Who makes a good sway bar disconnect? Is this included in the Van Compass 4.3 or 6.3?

[@owlvansengineering]

Van Compass used to make them. Probably going to bring them back. They are not included with suspension kits

[@hbjtf]

I have a 2WD 144” 2500 with the Agile Off-road Ride Improvement Package. We travel on paved and dirt roads (in our Pleasure Way RV) all over the country. The Agile Ride Improvement Package works very well. I am confident that other packages that replace both the leaf springs and shock absorbers, when based on the actual combined and loaded weight of build outs, passengers, fluids, and assorted gear would be a drastic improvement. My wife and I got really tired of the “head banging rock and roll” of the stock Mercedes suspension. Pathetic is too kind of a description for the stock suspension. The spring force with the suspension upgrade helps a ton in cross winds too. That’s another big benefit of well designed, engineered, and installed suspension upgrades.

[@saguirre51]

I have a PW Ascent with Summos front and rear, Fox shocks in the rear, waiting to install B6's in the front. This upgrade made a huge difference, even for crosswinds. I have been looking for a sway bar that will fit with the minimal clearance I have because of the generator. Curious if you have looked into getting a sway bar and any luck finding one?

[@papasaur]

Curious if you have traveled with passenger(s) in the back seat? Is there any improvements for their ride comfort with the RIP?

[@billbeyatte]

Sumo Springs? Instead of replacing leaf springs I'm getting a Mode in November.

[@owlvansengineering]

You will still need to address the rear leafs

[@akyzacvanlife656]

Well explain sir thank you 🤓

[@thapr12nv]

Does the agile rip kit address the issues? I'm getting a stealth mode in October. Looking to upgrade the suspension. What do you recommend agile vs vancompass

[@tranquilitybase6417]

I went with Agile on my 2016/4x4/144 and am very happy with it. But I think the Van Compass has manual adjust with my Agile does not. Nevertheless the ride is much improved and off-road is a breeze.

[@thapr12nv]

@@tranquilitybase6417 thanks for your input

[@owlvansengineering]

@@thapr12nv Yes, we prefer the Van Compass kit because we feel it offers better options for the money but both will improve the situation.

[@owlvansengineering]

@@matthewjswider The purpose of this video was not to start a debate about the best suspension, it was simply intended at informational. As a company that can sell any suspension we want to, since we don't make suspension, we opted for the Van Compass kit because they are the innovators in this space. VC has the best adjustable shocks available, valved specifically for a sprinter. We have also spoken with VC at length about the use of a coilover spring on the front . Neigher of us is comfortable with the long term viability of putting load on the unibody where it was not designed to take load.

[@gogodoit]

Hi John, can I use the bumpstop gap to evaluate my Revel’s sag? what’s the recommended bumpstop gap on a loaded 144 Sprinter?

[@owlvansengineering]

It's a good question. Basically yes, you can. You would want to leave you vehicle down with gear and a full water tank. Then you should have about a 1.5" (I'll confirm) gap in your bump stops when parked on level ground. Ill measure our van and see where it is sitting.

[@shawnbrick4127]

Get the VC stage 3. I did and it completely changed the Revel handling. Before I feared for my life in in the Wyoming crosswinds.

[@craigfisher67]

@@owlvansengineering Being a mountain biker, I loved the sag reference. Did you confirm what optimal gap is between rear bump stops? I have a stock 20MB / 22 Revel and have a 2” gap. Thanks!!

[@owlvansengineering]

@@craigfisher67 2" gap sounds fine. If you build the van our. you will likely see that drop to about .5"

[@phatmeow7764]

hi so dumb it down for me : if my vehicle has leaf springs already installed - for a 50/50 road/off-road vehicle which type of shocks would be best w.r.t cost n maintenance?

[@owlvansengineering]

All sprinters have leaf springs installed. If your van is built our you will likely have to add addition leaf to get the spring rate hirer. We recommend the Van Compasss suspension with the Falcon shocks

[@greg.ocallaghan]

What about the stock sway bar? Is it a good “middle of the road” solution between on and off-road? Or is it more tuned towards one or the other?

[@owlvansengineering]

Unless youre planning on being 95% on road, I would not upgrade the sway bar to a larger diameter.

[@greg.ocallaghan]

@@owlvansengineering but you'd definitely add the disconnects?

[@owlvansengineering]

@@greg.ocallaghan It would help off road for sure

[@greg.ocallaghan]

@@owlvansengineering Awesome! thanks for the info. I have a 6.3 kit going in next week, will give that a go first!

[@user-ym6lc7pk1e]

Actually VanCompass stopped selling quick bar disconnect. I wonder why?

[@PhuocNguyen-js6hy]

👍Họ xong

[@yh7hnJngj.]

How does sumo springs come into the equation?

[@sambuvca22]

let me ask you,,, have you had or heard of anyone lifting their 2 wheel drive model a bit to accept bigger tires? i just want my 22 a little taller with off road tires like yours.

[@owlvansengineering]

Yes, Van Compass has 2wd lift kits

[@jonbaker7370]

STAGE 4.3 - VAN COMPASS SUSPENSION PACKAGE VAN WITH FALCON 3.3 ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS - SPRINTER 4X4 (2007-CURRENT 2500) $ 2,839.98 then add on the Labor cost of installation {$1700} and finding a good place to do it right. Agile quoted me $5300 for the RIP package installed by them in San Diego. Seems like a big difference but the Labor cost unless you do it yourself which I would never attempt myself if likely to cost the same. What is your total price out the door installed by you guys. I know people hate putting a dollar amount on a you tube video and FB post, but it does come down to the cost. Everyone I know loves their suspension up grade. I'm still running my stock and having a blast, but I don't want to break my van by beating the crap out of it.

[@user-ym6lc7pk1e]

I’ve been quoted $1,350 (10 hours of labor) for installation of Van Compass 2.3 + full set of leaf springs from Agile. Considering that Van Compass has adjustable Falcon shocks, to me it’s a no brainer.

[@50spudman]

👍

[@valerie3892]

👍🏽

[@AA-kf7uf]

Van Compass vs Agile?

[@cesarin321]

Does anybody knows the european equivalent to this type of suspension ? thanks.

[@ruiten4]

Rhodes vans can help you

[@cesarin321]

@@ruiten4 thank you !!!!

[@tom4542]

FIRST!!!

[@EpicRSvids]

sponsored video?

[@johnwillenborg]

We never do any sort of sponsored videos. All our videos are simply our opinion