I bought a used 2001 Savana 12 passenger slt last summer. During the
>test drive, I didn't notice just how hard and harse the suspension
>was. (The test road was very smooth).
>\
>In the next few weeks the hard jarring and jostling, gave me a neck
>whiplash, and the pains that go with it. In face this vehicle cannot
>be driven over any uneven roads unless it is fully loaded. With 6
>grown men in it, the ride is still harsh.
>
>A suspension specialist, here offered a solution. He suggested that
>the overload (3/4" thick tapered leaf) spring is in contact when the
>van is empty. He said that he could invert it, and would make the
>ride much better. Ok, for $150 he removed the leaf rear springs ,
>dixmantled them, and reassembled with the overload upside down.
>He did add xtra normal leaf in each in order to maintain the height. >
>The test run, what a difference. No more harshness and tossing from
>the back springs. The front coils , are the mid stiff factories. I'd
>hate to ride in a van with the stiff ones. May still switch out the
>fronts for the soft ones, but happy so far with just the backs done. >
>He said the only disadvantage, is that with a full load the rear will
>sag down until overloads contact, ( app 3"). So far, I've loaded it
>with 6 adult males, (app 1100 pounds, and it's still level.
>
>I also changed out the stock shocks for aftermarket control shocks, to
>achieve good handling and less roll. Installed the monroe top of the >line ones.
>
>
>Anyone else with this kind of trouble?