On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:05:04 EDT "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> In a message dated 3/11/2007 9:13:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> <<I disagree. It's quite typical for a bug to
> occasionally go into a "wobble" under tow,
> particularly if there's no engine in it and the rear
> end is riding high (reducing caster), even with a
> functioning steering damper. With normal caster it's
> seldom an issue provided the front end is in
> reasonably good condition (until ~1960, bugs didn't
> even HAVE steering dampers).>>
>
>
> I am in Marc's camp here. I even replaced a steering damper on the Bug once
> which made no difference the next time I towed the vehicle. What did seem
> to make a big difference was the height at which the towbar was hooked to
> the
> towing vehicle. Seems if the truck was too high, the distance between the
> truck and the Bug was too short causing the phenomena mentioned in this
> thread.
> It was greatly eliminated when I put a drop hitch on the truck. Perhaps I
> was unweighting the front wheels, or perhaps the geometry of going around
> turns was wrong. Bottom line, I would follow Marc's advice.
I never noticed the problem dragging my ('69) bug around. And with both
buses replacing the steering damper solved it. I towed the Riviera for
almost 2 years with no engine mounted.
Then I replaced the tranny with the busted bellhousing and put the engine
in. Drove it about 100 miles and a rear wheel bearing went out, That ticked
me off so I took it off the road and did everything underneath (bearings,
brakes, new hoses, cylinders, etc.). Drove it about 1000 miles and
developed 2 problems simultaneously that I thought were related. A howl in
4th gear and a reluctance to changing gears after warming up.
So, I replaced the tranny with another one from the pile. No more howl but
5 - 10 minutes after cranking it up there is NO going in or out of ANY gear
while the engine is running. So, now I need to pull the motor again and
check the clutch and the change the input shaft pilot bearing.
And I'm rambling off topic now. Just the original note that my shimmy
problem was always solved with a new steering damper. I've always used a
drop hitch to keep towbars off of my bumpers and front aprons.
Gerald
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