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Manxguy Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2007 Posts: 11
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: Manx Front suspension |
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I'm a VW newby and would like some help. I recently completed a Manx buggy but I'm having problems softening the front suspension. Granted, I still have the 1970 front suspension but what can be done to soften the ride ? It seems the fibergalss front end is not heavy enough to work the shocks properly. Please help ? |
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Genom Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2003 Posts: 660 Location: Palm Springs CA
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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A couple of things...first of all, do not use gas shocks or coilovers.
You can weld in adjusters and soften the front end.
Another method is to remove the torsion leaf packs, remove the "half leaves" and cut the ends and centers off of them for re-use. You would then epoxy the cut half leaves to the ends and center of the rest of the pack, so the grub screws in the torsion arms and torsion tube center lock grab fully. IIRC, this was described in the original Manx build instructions (someone please verify that). |
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Lo Cash John Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2004 Posts: 2246 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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If cutting the torsion leaves as described, you are better off by welding the pieces back together. If you don't weld, take the parts to any muffler shop and they can handle it for next to nothing. _________________ www.LoCashRacing.org
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!
If you actually drive your VW, you need www.AirMapp.com
My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone. |
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Genom Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2003 Posts: 660 Location: Palm Springs CA
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for adding that...I was a little leary of recommending welding the leaves together as it may (possibly) ruin the temper of the metal. |
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tgodber Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2004 Posts: 410 Location: Okanagan Falls B.C. Canada
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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You can also replace solid leaves with split leaves in the torsion stack. You need to have a doner beam to steal the split leaves from. This will soften it. I have also read that having adjusters in the beam and turning one down so that there is a progressive effect will soften it up. Run stock shocks . _________________ My wife said I never listen to her.
Or something like that! |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5152
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:56 am Post subject: |
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While its not really a "suspension" modification, I would also suggest lowering the tire pressure in your front tires. Most people say 22-26psi is OK. I ran 22 psi in a Speedster replica and it was night and day difference. |
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scarybuggy Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2006 Posts: 495 Location: Northern Neck, Virginia
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:20 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Run stock shocks . |
X2. Run cheap oil filled shocks. The cheaper, the better. _________________ Jay
'67 Manx Clone |
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Manxguy Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2007 Posts: 11
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject: Manx Front suspension |
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Will removing the torsion leafs lower the ride of the car. I like the way the car sits currently and am concerned that it might lower the front end ? |
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HamburgerBrad Je suis Napoléon!
Joined: February 21, 2003 Posts: 6957 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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yes, it will lower the car. if you're trying to soften the ride and keep the same height, i would say your best bet is both the torsion leaf trick and adjusters _________________ OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval
Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels |
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MURZI Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2005 Posts: 5063 Location: Madisonville, La
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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PM Chuck, AKA "yellermanx" his buggy rides like a Cadillac. He has the reciepe...trust me. _________________ 62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam |
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jason8 Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2003 Posts: 63
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Stormc Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2014 Posts: 21 Location: Elkins, NH
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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Note that someone hijacked the thread about softening the spring rate to compensate for the drastic weight reduction to discussing ways to lower the front end. |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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Note: Changing the spring rate of a suspension and changing the height are always inter-related subjects. You pretty much can't do one without affecting the other, one way or another. |
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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5446 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Someone hijacked the thread? Every post here looks like it is about fixing the front suspension. You cannot separate spring rate and ride height. After all, realizing the problem often starts with a stock suspension that rides horribly because it is nearly topped out. You can install adjusters or remove leaves to lower and regain a working suspension. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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Glasser Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2007 Posts: 1640 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
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