StuartFZR400

cheers dave I need to take a look under the Beetle, but I imagine that we wont be able to tell what is bent, until we take everything off and offer up a new beam. (how women manage to drive over small walls, i dont know)

I suppose it does miss-read, but I meant (as per title) a replacement for an axle on a Beetle (not corrado). You guys being VAG Gurus, I thought you may have heard some stuff about them - be it Beetle or more likely Mk4's. Im not a member of any Golf/Beetle forums. Cheers Toad, will look up 'Dave'

lol he was very understanding and just chucked a coulpe across the counter for me; worked out they cost £1.22 and I threw him a pound coin. Said he'd be able to help in future with anything like this. Yu dont know until yu ask!!

I know the Corrado uses one solid beam, so some of you Know-its might know how easy/hard it is to replace a Mk4 axle...? I say Mk4, its actually a Beetle, but dont they share the same gubbins as the Mk4 and TT-1? Anyone know of a place that will do the job cheap (within 100 mile of Coventry - London to Manchester), and where to buy the parts? Many thanks in advance

not sure if our jim knows, but on one of the estaes in Leamington we have an outlet for bolts/screws etc and they're pence. I imagine most towns have something similar. It seemed to be trade, because when I asked for 2, he asked if I wanted two boxes of 1,000 - yikes!

I'd get plain discs for the road and save the money for the next thing that goes wrong on the car (nb: Brembo disc never used to be bad)

ahh, you're at Cov uni doing engineering automotive design?

why?

Hmm, the one you mention is for a VR 1995 onwards. The BKR5EKU 3964 is for the pre 95 VR's so say NGK. But you've bought them now (and if you bought them cheap off fleabay), so first off, take out your plugs and ensure they're the same thread and same reach/length. If so, then it cannot hurt to try them. If it misses, take them out. (although you may have lead/cap problems if the same problem is found with use of the old plugs too). I'd assume the KUP plug is newer and possibly better; cant do much harm. NB: always put a torque spanner on plugs; dont over tighten or under tighten - both can lead to plugs popping out.

Have you already run these bigger discs before? If so, then you can answer your own query - do you currently get brake fade? If so, then theres a good chance they're getting too hot and a drilled disc will help. Bear in mind that the 'cheap' discs are vented, just not drilled; drilled will run cooler - you might eat pads quicker. I'd be surprised if you need them. I see brembo 4 pots on big discs and these sized cars and they'll stop you on a penny, on a normal vented disc. If you've not tried these bigger discs before, then its hard to tell. IF you're in the process of upgrading, then I'd be tempted to go cheap for now and see if you like the new discs and pads and calipers, with new fluid (as said, they should do well). But you may end up paying twice if you dont like them and find they get too hot - nothing worse than boiling your hub; but I'd only expect this if you were hard on them, like being on a track.

gutted, but if she's mingged your wing and door, then they'd have to blend into the bonnet anyway; so why not get the whole bonnet done for a sly extra 50 quid or so. Not sure the C is to blame; any car could've got hit; the C is quite slim in todays standards. And Im sure other cats can get you a ticket or two. it'd be crop if the old addage is right, that things come in 3's. Personally I dont belive in such gruff. Just bad weeks, lol.

Most likely your cheapo's were put on by DIY div, and therefore camber was never right. Im assuing the last set of tyres wore oddly; hence you dont want to do the same again. Therefore you just want to pop down a proper laser alignment shop and get it done; some MOT places do it. However, if it was done correctly in the first place, then something has gone wrong. Would've thought that balljoint should not affect the camber; Id assume the camber adjustment sorts that, along with an pivots within that movement, so that does include wishbone joints, top mounts etc - any of those gone and one side might sag. Needs to go up on a lift and everything yanked on to look for unwanted play - go see an expert.

see, those arty farty sunset pics arent sad or anorak - well worth it, lol (thats what i tell teh missus anyhow)

a blow over would be nice, of laquer. That looks thin and cheap. The key is to have a good laquer layer. I had mine done with the modern day water based stuff; it looked all orange peel, so took it back; when they said it could be cut back any more, I told them to blow over, so they did; the finish was beautifully deep and shiney. The otehr key for it not coming away at the edges is not to simply blow up to an edge of masking tape; they should take off all the rubbers etc and go into reveals etc; that sometimes means that rubbers dont go back on too well, so new are needed; but its well worth it; a good paint shop will do a full job.

WElcome malk, you'll find loads of info on here. I'd leave the paint until you've done some jobs first, like taking the door trims off and checking the electrics. Also you say the passenger central locking has packed up; yes try greasing runners, you you'll also be checking the central locking pipework/hoses. It maybe the case you're getting water in the pass' side and its fooked everything!? As for the paint, you said the laquer is coming off, so you'll need some laquer on there before the winter nasty rusts you away; be nice to get an entire laquer blow over.

your post says? you are only on about the shock, or you mean the wishbones too? you also dont say how old the coilovers (coil+shock) are. If you are talking about the shocks, then are you meaning lower mount on the rears, or the bump stop and top mounts on the front? Thats now regardless though. So, are the wishbones aftermarket or VW? Surely the first link was of help then? I partially dont know why you're going for aftermarket stuff, only other than trying to keep your kit alive; aftermarket bushes tend to be race prep stuff and thus harder, less give. You're replacing the wishbones rubber bush for a solid one? If joints etc have less give, where do you think the forces get transmitted to? Something has to give on the bumpy UK roads. I'd stick with stuff equal to original, but new; somebody will sell rubber ones - ask shops!

I find modern cars are more economical, but you're budget means you have to shop old. Therefore, you need to buy small and lightweight; if going diesel, then its got to be 1.5 and over (not 1.3) (no idea). We used a 1.0 petrol fiesta of old, and no matter how much you mashed your foot into the carpet it wouldnt go quicker and thus mpg remained relatively ok; however the heavey beastey deisels of today (Megan/Focus) I manage pretty good 50+mpg, more on faster roads. 50 mile round trip doesnt seem much; but if you're talking each way, then I'd get something comfortable, like a passat or something. But the cheaper you buy it, the more you can spend on fixing the old knacker.

laser alignment - tyre fitters are renown for bodgering; camber and toe its the first cheapest option Presume you've not changed wheels or tyres in thips process. Even if you had changed tyres, I'd expect to be able to find a good ride.

thank you, thank you (Flux were 200 off the mark btw.)

yep, its law to put you back on the road as per Pre-Accident. Also, you are not obliged to use his choice of garage, but can choose your own; they might push you, but push back.

there must be millions of bush variations on cars. I had fork seals go on my omtorbike once and found a local place that made seals - not for bikes, but I made sure the dimensions were exact same and they were not perishable to forlk oil. so yeh, somewhere are going to make them, but its a bit of a needle in hay stack. Its pure luck if someone on here notices your thread and has dones what you've said. I'd try other forums too, like Gti etc. Just ask about places that do bushes for suspension units (coilovers is a bit of a red herring; most front suspension is coil over shock). Do you know the dimensions of your bushes, or is that why you're just asking for bushes on fk coilovers? Personally I'd search and search; try contacting some SITES and you might find some helpful people, who can firstly tell you what you need, and if it can be done, etc. (I cant picture where the bush is on a front strut, without crawling under, other than a topmount)

Ok, from what I gather certain companies make a big push at different times of the year. Anyone got a feeling who is best at present? My usual suspects of tesco, norwitch union are not coming up tops. Its companies ive not heard of and unsure to commit. Halifx are bumping mine up by 170 on last year... tut.

renson, there is no legal reason you need to inform your insurers. I had something similar, phoned my insurers in knowledge I had legal and no-claims-protection; they simply told me to sort it out my self as it was a no-fault matter on my behalf. Sure enough, all you need to do is communicate with the 3rd party insurers. However, if you do have protection, and want minimum hassle, then sure tell your insurers and get them to make all the calls. If you're young, i just wouldnt make the call; that way there is no record of you placing a claim call; you're at zero fault. As for them, do NOT let them off lightly, and insist it goes through thier insurance, thus giving you some comeback should the paint peel/bubble in months to come. Do not accept cash; its all too easy for a paint shop to blame you for poor care of the paint/body afterwards. You owe this person no favours! However, if it does become a writeoff issue, then I weigh up the risk of taking cash; if the cash is 100 (ie probably what the guy would have to pay in excess) then ask your self if a cheapo 100 job will suffice on a 2,000 value car. Quite probably yes...

well, i think you know the answer about the weitech in a common sense way; why not go into a shop and ask if you can offer it up alongside yours? Or just ask if its the same dimensions as original? As for the original, have you got a photo of this rubbing? Is something bent, or are you just so low? ... piccy

this'd be like your other post....