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Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:27 am

What do you think about keeping v removing the steering damper on an on/off road buggy?

Removing it lets you get rid of the weak tie rod end, I understand.

But, what about disadvantages? Do you get wheel shimmy?

Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:02 am

toss it as far as you can.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:48 am

Yes by all means. Use the T-3 tie rods and remove the sway bar also, but save it to insert into the stock long tie rod. Tack weld the steering box clamp to the front end. We like to beef every thing up a little and run stock tie rod ends so you have a week link thats cheap and easy to replace. Watch out for trees that jump in front of buggys. Buggy Tips <> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/buggytips.htm

Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:07 am

It won't get nasty to drive on the road, though, will it?

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:05 am

a funny side note, my baja had the stock beam and damper for several years. when i changed to a warrior beam i found out the stock damper was completely worn out- i tossed it straight in the dumpster. but bilstein does make a h.d. unit i think.....

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:09 am

I ran mine without the dampner for a while on the street and even with a new steering box and tie rod ends I thought the steering was sloppy. I bought a new dampner and it was much better and tighter. Now it seems to handle the choppy bumps and water ruts in the desert better.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:58 pm

I took mine off and just about busted my thumb turning into my driveway. I put it back on.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:41 pm

The nice thing about the vw damper is on a stock car it will cover up a completely worn out front end. On buggies it's very important to pay attention to the caster. We run (2) HD dampers on the race car but it has a rack & pinion steering that will teach you to drive with thumbs up. It mostly depends on how much weight is on the front end. A Baja will defently need the damper. Most Play buggies are so light on the front you won't know a front tire is flat until you set on it. The Smaller Diameter the steering wheel the less leverage you have so dia. also makes a difference. It's also a must to get the front brakes set up correctly. -> Brakes and Buggy Brakes > How to set them up & Why <> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/brakehowto.htm

Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:13 pm

I drove a rail without a damper... The steering wheel tore skin off of my wrist when I tried to back down a hill and I could not hold the wheel straight. I try not to keep my thumbs in the spokes :lol: Got a huge damper now clamped with u-bolts onto the outside of the HD aluminum tierods.