BearsZX72

Hey Sean, See the problem just started. Before this, I was able to shift fine through the gears and place it in neutral. The neutral thing just started the other day. I replaced the shift bushing a few months back and it worked after that with no problems. Downshifting...correct, it doesn't want to go into 2nd gear or the gate, it feels like it comes out of 3rd but not into 2nd. I rock the car back and forth and it's still in gear. I rocked the car every time I thought I was in neutral and it was in gear. I know I was in which gear cuz the car either moved a little (1st and 2nd gear) or a lot more (3rd and 4th). I assume this is cuz of 1st and 2nd being "low" gears and 3rd and 4th being "high" gear, not sure? I'm off tomorrow (Friday 2/27) and I'll be working on it again. I'll be checking the fluid level, shift bushing and the slave piston throw. Hopefully it will be one of those issues. If not, I'll call you! I copied your number done. Thanks, Brady

@ltr450rider, I believe that I can. I removed the linkage at the nose cone and I think I was able to place the trans into all the gears by hand. Not sure of reverse, that's tricky. Oh and still no neutral this way.

Back story link for those that didn't read it or need to catch up, http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=19634#entry247837 I took my rail out twice this season, once in November and again in December. The November trip was a day trip to Dumont. Made about 3 runs in a 6 hour period. Over all was a good day with one issue. On the last run the clutch felt like it was slipping. I was able to still shift and make it back to the trailer and only felt it happen once. The December trip was a weekend trip to Dumont on the Buggy Round-up Trip. My first run on Saturday was good with no issues. The next run started out good but within 30 minutes of running, I felt what seemed like the clutch slipping again. I was dunning and heading up hill and went to down shift into 2nd, I couldn't get it into 2nd. I lost all power and pointed the car downhill. I Shut the car off and placed the trans axle in neutral and rolled the car down the hill. I played with the stick and clutch pedal and was able to get back into 1st gear. It took about 5 minutes for this. Once I was able to get it, I started the car and placed it in 1st. The car died a few times but I was able to get it back to camp in 1st and 2nd. When I got back to camp I checked fluid levels and linkage and other things and didn't see any issues. I let the trans and engine "cool" down for a few hours and started up again. I drove it around the flats for a few minutes in 1st and 2nd with no issues. Once the trans and engine "warmed-up" same thing happened again, could not get it into gear. So, I waited and then drove it back to camp and parked for the rest of the weekend and started to drink BEER! Fast-forward to February. Took the engine out, removed the clutch pressure plate, disc and throw out bearing. Bought all new from Kennedy Engineering in Palmdale, CA. Took old parts with me to make sure I bought the right new parts. I was talking with them at Kennedy and found that I was missing a dust plate under the engine between the engine case and adapter plate. Bought that too. Installed all new clutch parts and put the engine back together. Changed out the sand paddles for desert tires. Took the rail out of the garage and drove around the house and shop. All seems good in 1st gear and reverse. Drove the car down a dirt road and got up to 4th gear with no issues, down shifted to make a turn, all good. Got on it and went up into 3rd, no issues, down shifted again to turn around. Shift up into 3rd and was moving good. Went to down shift and turn around and it happened again! I couldn't get into gear. I was stuck in the desert about 2 miles from home. I sat there and let it "cool down" for a few minutes. I did notice that I could not get the Trans into neutral this time or reverse. Hmm...I final was able to start the car and roll back home in 2nd gear. I got back home and down shifted to 1st. I pulled into the driveway and was going to back into the garage and I still did not have reverse. I also noticed that I could not get the Trans into neutral, again. I placed a strap on the clutch pedal and pushed the rail back into the garage. I removed the back seat and took apart the shift linkage at the nose cone. Even then I couldn't get the Trans into neutral. I could shift gears and run from 1st to 4th. I don't think I ever got it into reverse thou. Any suggestions? I think I'm going to pull the engine and the Trans. I'll take the Trans to Transaxle Engineering in Chatsworth, CA and have them take a look at it. I'm stumped at this point and need someone with professional experience to help me.

It was a fun trip! Glad that we where able to make it. Glad to meet people face to face. Everyone was very nice and made us feel welcome and NOT outsiders (which the wife loved)! Had a few runs on the buggy and found a new problem. Looks like the clutch, not the transmission. Really looking forward to the next Buggy Roundup! Again, thanks to Pete for getting this going and everything! Had a blast! See you all next time!

Update...went to fill the fresh water tank, closed the drain valve and it freaking broke off! WTF! Anyway, pulled the tank and looking into fixing it tonight...maybe. So we will not be out there tonight. Looking at leaving 1st thing in the AM plus a 3 1/2 hour drive. Hope to be in Dumont around 9am for the Buggy Round-up! I'll keep you all updated! Making the effort to get out there. All the toys are load and the trailers are hooked up!

Okay, getting everything ready tonight! Hopefully will be loaded up and heading out tomorrow (Friday night)! We should be there late Friday night, I'm thinking around 10pm. Be on the look out for my rigs... 2007 GMC LMM towing a 33' Attitude 5th wheel 2012 Chevy Sub towing an enclosed 24' trailer Make room in the circle for us! Pics of my rigs.....

Not sure of the "official" weekend but my group is heading out the weekend after Christmas, 26th-29th.

The launch just scrubbed for today...24 hour slip. I really hope NASA can pull this off. We need to get back into Space!

ORION has not launched yet...on hold. Window of launch open until 0644 am Pacific. Keep your fingers crossed!

For those of you that are into Space Flight and other cool NASA stuff... "Watch Orion’s first fight test unfold on NASA Television December 4, 2014. Orion is in the final stages of preparation for the uncrewed flight test that will take it 3,600 miles above Earth on a 4.5-hour mission to test many of the systems necessary for future human missions into deep space. After two orbits, Orion will reenter Earth’s atmosphere at almost 20,000 miles per hour, and reach temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit before its parachute system deploys to slow the spacecraft for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean."

Well, we'll try and go to this....I hope!

Welcome back! I can answer your question and I'm sure others will too. -Yes, you can get a pass at the gate. -I was at Dumont yesterday, the road is in great shape, I would give it an A rating, 25 mph all the way, very smooth -Places to camp... that's really up to you. I don't like to go to far off the hard pack with my 33ft. 5th wheel and truck. No deep sand for me. Hope that helps you out. Brady

The road is in great condition! Drove it yesterday at 25 mph and it was very smooth! I'll give it an A rating too.

What fun we had! The wife and I left the house and was on the freeway by 6:30 am. Drove straight through with no stops. Arrived at Dumont right around 9:30 am. I would give the road into Dumont an A, drove 25 mph with no issues. We picked a spot next to bathroom #4 and unloaded the buggy. The weather was great, I believe that the temp was in the mid 70's and a slight breeze. We jumped into the buggy and head to the East. Went up and down a few small dunes and then headed back over to COMP Hill. We worked are way back over to the North Pole. After we left the North Pole we headed back to COMP Hill and then back to the truck/trailer for lunch. After lunch, my wife jumped into the drivers seat and we went out again. She spent about 30-45 minutes driving around and getting use to the buggy and the dunes in general. After she was done, she drove back over to the truck/trailer. Now it's about 1:30 pm and the temp is getting into the low 80's and the wind was very calm. I changed out the battery in the GoPro and we went back out for one last run before calling it a day. We loaded up the buggy and left Dumont at 3:00 pm. For this being your maiden voyage out with this buggy, it was all good. I found no issues with it at all. Looks like we will be out at Dumont for a camping trip Dec. 26 - 29th. See you all out there soon! Brady

The wife and I are at Dumont! Yes! Trip report to follow, tomorrow.

Getting the oil and filter changed in the diesel this morning! Making the most out of the day getting ready for the day trip tomorrow! Will go home and finish up the small things on the buggy and trailer! Looking forward to the day trip!

Oh, and...will there be any vendors still at Dumont on Tuesday? I need a new Dumont or Got Sand sticker for our new enclosed trailer.

@@DunerDan Sweet! And I just read that V-Day is a fee free day at Dumont from the BLM! This is what my day trip set-up will look like....if you see me swing on by And one of the rail...I need updated pictures of my rail

Good to know that V-Day is free! I'm headed out for a day trip on V-Day! Looks like most will be gone or heading home that day.

@@DunerDan I'm on the west side of the desert, Antelope Valley.So far, it's still a go!

DA BEARS!

@@DuNe~Rydher Right, same here, work Monday off Tuesday not good for the long weekend.

Looking into a day trip on Tuesday Nov. 11 for Veterans Day only. Will leave my place in CA around 6am for a 3 hour drive. I hope to arrive in Dumont around 9am or so. Who will be there already and who would like to go out? All are welcome to join us for a day trip! This will be the maiden run for us and our buggy! More of a shake down run to see what needs to be taken care of before the first camping trip weekend. -Brady

I strap them together, to go past the wheel wells, on the upper arms next to the ball joints. Works for me.