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dhubz Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2003 Posts: 61
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:11 am Post subject: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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I recently picked up a dune buggy, not my first. I have never seen this on anything else. The ownership says 71, but it's a swing axle with a king pin front end. There is a single leaf spring that runs across the transmission and attaches to swing axles out near the brakes. Does anyone know what this is for?
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8689 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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avw1973 Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2012 Posts: 51 Location: Winston-Salem
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:29 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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This is an early dealer add-on. It was $35 in the early 60s. It helps you a little and the dealer more. Still nice to have. |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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As other have said its a "camber compensator"... If you want better driving performance replace it with anti-sway bar....
As for being a 71, it isn't, ball joint from end came in 67 I believe and 69 and later is IRS.... Check the pan just ahead of access area for shift coupler to see if original VIN number is there, it will cross reference to correct year...
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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vwracerdave Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 15280 Location: Deep in the 405
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Dale M. wrote: |
As for being a 71, it isn't, ball joint from end came in 67 I believe and 69 and later is IRS.... |
The OP doesn't mention where he lives. Bugs sold in USA were IRS but Bugs sold in other countries were still swingaxle. _________________ 2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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Wolfgangdieter Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2008 Posts: 1958 Location: FL Panhandle
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Camber compensator keeps your rear wheels from tucking in during cornering. Frequently added for "high" speed cornering. _________________ CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy |
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Jacks Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2006 Posts: 2344 Location: San Clemente, Ca.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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I don’t think that I would recommend it as a jack point _________________ Jack Staggs
Actual name |
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dhubz Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2003 Posts: 61
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Thanks for all the info, I am in Ontario, Canada. The original VIN is not there anymore, They drilled through it for a seat belt attachment point, I'm not sure if that was on purpose years ago. It doesn't seem uncommon up here that the VIN on the paperwork doesn't match the chassis VIN, if it even has one. |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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dhubz wrote: |
Thanks for all the info, I am in Ontario, Canada. The original VIN is not there anymore, They drilled through it for a seat belt attachment point, I'm not sure if that was on purpose years ago. It doesn't seem uncommon up here that the VIN on the paperwork doesn't match the chassis VIN, if it even has one. |
Many times "kit cars" have new VIN numbers issued by state/providence/country where it was assembled...
MY buggy is California Registered as a 1970 SPCNXXXXXX ... SPCN mean "SPecial CoNstruction"... But chassis VIN says its a 61...
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Double post.... _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...
Last edited by Dale M. on Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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calebmelvin Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006 Posts: 3140 Location: Seattle, WA
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oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12633 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Wolfgangdieter wrote: |
Camber compensator keeps your rear wheels from tucking in during cornering. Frequently added for "high" speed cornering. |
^^^This!^^^
An aftermarket add on sold through the popular VW magazines and available in speed shops. In our part of the world is was never sold or installed by a VW dealer. Not a VW part! _________________ We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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hillmotorsports Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2014 Posts: 432 Location: Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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They were a popular add-on for other swing axle autos... Corvairs and Triumph Spitfires come to mind....often sold under the brand of Camber Compensator.
Paul _________________ Rosemarie and Paul Hill
Morrisburg, Ontario
(With way more projects than spare time!) |
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clonebug Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2005 Posts: 4026 Location: NW Washington
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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I've been running one for many years...it definitely helps with axle lift and wheel tuck in hard corners.
I added some longer studs in the case this past summer when I had my transmission diff replaced. It makes it easier to install the piece that mounts to the trans case. _________________
vwracerdave wrote: |
Take a good long look in the mirror and report back on what you see. |
Paul.H wrote: |
That one line on that chart is probably better info than you can get from this place in a month |
My Megasquirt Fuel Injection Turbo Buggy Build
Water/Alcohol Injection
Audi TT intercooler
Upgraded to MS3Pro-Evo
EcuMaster PMU16
ECUMaster ADU5 Digital Dash
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=127936 |
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4925 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:24 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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oprn wrote: |
Wolfgangdieter wrote: |
Camber compensator keeps your rear wheels from tucking in during cornering. Frequently added for "high" speed cornering. |
^^^This!^^^
An aftermarket add on sold through the popular VW magazines and available in speed shops. In our part of the world is was never sold or installed by a VW dealer. Not a VW part! |
Never say never without proof... our dealership sold and installed them back in the day.
And they did offer some aid in preventing rear axle tuck. Lots of accurate detail available from knowledgeable people.
https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=122567
bnc _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12633 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Just skimming through the link you provided I did not see anything that said the camber compensator was a VW part. I do not doubt that some dealers may have marketed them as an accessory or upgrade. But until I see a VW logo and part number stamped on one they were aftermarket.
Our dealer where I grew up sold Manx Buggy kits (may have been a copy) but that did not make the Buggies a VW option or VW part.
Some dealers also sold and installed AC for the pre 70's Beetles too but VW did not make or warrantee them. _________________ We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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OPRN, I haven't seen anyone in this thread say that the camber compensator was a VW part. Only that it was installed as an extra cost dealer add-on by some VW dealers.
They were sold in the US for many years under the EMPI brand name. _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12633 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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My misinterpretation, you are correct. Sorry! _________________ We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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Luftwagen 2180 Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2020 Posts: 49 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Looks like Empi still sells them. |
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typ914 Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2012 Posts: 227 Location: Atlanta, Ga
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Spring across Swing Axles |
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Porsche installed a camber compensator on the 356 Super 90. I believe it was optional on non super 90 cars. |
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