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Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:07 am

Hello. I recently purchased a fiberglass dune buggy. The kids absolutly love it and I am having so much fun with the recent weather. It is fun coming up with excuses to run out in it for a few minutes. I have a couple of issues I would love some help with if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks for your time.

1. The steering at higher end speeds is a bit bouncy and there is a decent amout of vibration. It typically happens when I let off the gas and begin to idle. Is this something that is just common with fiberglass dune buggies or does anyone have any suggestions? I have made sure the allignment and the balancing is good. I have also changed out the shocks for shocks that are a bit more forgiving. That did seem to help. Any suggestions?

2. I am also looking for a bulb or bulbs that would bring light back to the speed odometer. The only thing that works is the blue light for the high beams. I have not taken it out to take a closer look. Does anyone have a suggestion to get it to work again? It is one of the old school VW odometers.

I was hoping to upload some images for you to see, but I can't figure out if it is possible to upload an image.

Thanks for your time.[/url]

Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:13 am

Most steering issues with FG buggies are due to improper caster of front beams... Adding "caster shims" behind lower beam tube will greatly increase handling if none are there now... Also pay attention to "toe in" should be between 1/32 and 1/16 inch..

http://www.jbugs.com/product/22-2815.html

As for speedo lamps there is several lamp sockets that illuminate the speedo face (believe the are at 3:00 and 9:00 position on back of speedo.... Also at bottom of speedo are the oil pressure and generator lamps.... These all use same bulb and same "holder" if holders are missing new ones can be found at various sources...

One source is ..

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-957-357-A

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VHD-N17-7222

Dale

Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:18 am

Dale M. wrote: Most steering issues with FG buggies are due to inproper caster of front beams...

X2 You need a set of these

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=708385

Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:44 am

So I have none of the shims and my steering is also very "twitchy" the faster I drive. Does this increase caster or decrease?

Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:54 am

lbass wrote: So I have none of the shims and my steering is also very "twitchy" the faster I drive. Does this increase caster or decrease?

IT increases caster....

My FB buggy at 60mph, you cam let go of wheel and it will track absolutely true..... It has caster shims under lower tube of beams and toein set at about 1/16 inch...

Installing caster shims is merely loosening upper beam bolts 2-3 turns and lower bolts 5-6 turns and insert shim behind lower tube... Tighten bolts to torque specs.... Takes about 10-15 minutes... Just be sure lower bolts have plenty of thread in frame head insert... In some cases longer bolts may be needed in lower 2 bolt positions, though I have not found it necessary...

Dale

Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:49 am

Don't forget tire pressure.