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clearsky
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Joined: May 26, 2006
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: wandering steering at highway speeds. |
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| My 73 has a nasty tendency to wander at highway speeds. The allignment is ok as is the steering box and all the ball joints are tight . The only thing that I think it could be is the steering dampener. I took it off and it seems ok in that it takes effort to push it in and pull it out. Is this a valid test or should I just replace it? As far as I know there is only a stock replacement for it. Is there another dampener that would give me more dampening? Any advice is appreciated, thanks. |
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Max Welton
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Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 8122
Location: Black Forest, CO
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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What tire pressures are you using? Is the car lowered?
Max
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clearsky
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Joined: May 26, 2006
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Max, the tire pressure is 32 psi and the car has not been lowered.
Bill.. |
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Fibersport
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Joined: September 23, 2005
Posts: 1157
Location: Lansing, IL
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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Lower your tire pressure, stock were around 17 psi. Higher pressures make steering easier but it rides harsher and tends to make it wiggly at higher speeds. I run about 22 psi in the front and drive on the highway most of the time, I used to keep mine at 30 for mileage but dropped it to 22, mileage hasn't suffered and it rides better.
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1973 Standard Beetle |
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Max Welton
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Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 8122
Location: Black Forest, CO
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, 32 is much to high for the front of a bug. Try 20.
Max
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The only thing more expensive than cheap parts is mixing cheap parts with stupidity. |
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blarneyman
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Joined: February 06, 2005
Posts: 1659
Location: Everson/Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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I keep my front at 18 and the rear at 24. Rides beautiful even with 3" of drop in the front.
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69 Beetle
70 Ghia(resto)
66 Kombi/Riviera(resto) |
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clearsky
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Joined: May 26, 2006
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| OK, thanks to all for their input. This forum really works! I never would have thought of too much air pressure. Thanks again. |
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Randy in Maine
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Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 29761
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| A cheap fix is always the best fix. |
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Beaboy
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Joined: April 16, 2007
Posts: 307
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: |
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Sorry to break in, but why such low tire pressures on Bug tires? Wouldn't you always want to inflate to the tire manufacturer's specs? With most newer tires rated around 35 or so, seems that 22-25 psi would be asking for trouble.
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'69 Standard Beetle |
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Fibersport
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Joined: September 23, 2005
Posts: 1157
Location: Lansing, IL
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:48 am Post subject: |
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Reda this article, it explains it pretty good.
http://www.geocities.com/eaallred/tirepressure.html
It also makes sense, I've always ran higher than stock pressures and have noticed the wear pattern on the tires show overinflation.
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1973 Standard Beetle |
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bugninva
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Joined: December 14, 2004
Posts: 8888
Location: sound it out.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:00 am Post subject: |
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| Beaboy wrote: | | Sorry to break in, but why such low tire pressures on Bug tires? Wouldn't you always want to inflate to the tire manufacturer's specs? With most newer tires rated around 35 or so, seems that 22-25 psi would be asking for trouble. |
absolutely.... but you are thinking wrong manufacturer... go with the manufacturer of the car you are running the tires on, not the MAXIMUM inflation pressures listed on the tire... Maximun psi is also for maximum load which is also listed on the tire sidewall.... that maximum load(for one tire) can be nearly what our cars weigh.
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Russ Wolfe
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Joined: October 08, 2004
Posts: 25689
Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: |
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| Beaboy wrote: | | Sorry to break in, but why such low tire pressures on Bug tires? Wouldn't you always want to inflate to the tire manufacturer's specs? With most newer tires rated around 35 or so, seems that 22-25 psi would be asking for trouble. |
The pressure marked on the side of tires, is the MAXIMUM inflation pressure.
You inflate tires to the recommendations of the car manufacturer.
An over inflated tire has little contact patch with the road.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
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Fibersport
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Joined: September 23, 2005
Posts: 1157
Location: Lansing, IL
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Does no one read previous posts?
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1973 Standard Beetle |
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Beaboy
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Joined: April 16, 2007
Posts: 307
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Amazing information. Thanks for the education. I'm a convert.
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'69 Standard Beetle |
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rayzor30
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Joined: February 04, 2005
Posts: 177
Location: Western NY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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x2
thanks
rayzor30 |
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ed stanley
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Joined: September 28, 2006
Posts: 509
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:03 am Post subject: |
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| Classic symptoms of improper toe in. I know you said you checked alignment - but check again for proper toe in. Should be 1/32" to 1/8" I think - but check your Bentley. If you have "toe out", you will be sawing on the steering wheel all the time. |
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fmartin_gila
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Joined: January 25, 2008
Posts: 379
Location: Globe, Az.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:19 am Post subject: |
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A steering box that is adjusted a dab too tight will also cause the vehicle to 'wander'.
Fred |
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Russ Wolfe
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Joined: October 08, 2004
Posts: 25689
Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Fibersport wrote: | | Does no one read previous posts? |
When we have time.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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texas_vee_dub
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Joined: November 19, 2007
Posts: 32
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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i am a believer too. I dropped my front to 22 and the rear to 28 and I could tell a world of difference. I am thinking about dropping them to 18/24. I didn't to begin with because I was skeptical. Now I believe.
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69 beetle
My bug cost more than your Civic! Biatch! |
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