Re: My 'new' 88 Scirocco, abused and missused (long)

["the mad bastard" <the-mad-bastard@home.com>]

> IMHO, they're actually right about this one. You've already met the #1
> worst-designed part on a 16v Scirocco. Either buy NEW ones and be done
> with it for (hopefully) 10 years, or buy rebuilt ones and expect to
replace them
> every year or two. Don't be surprised if your "new" rebuilt calipers still
> have broken ebrake mechanisms. I can swap out rear calipers blindfolded in
> 10 minutes these days...

    if you want to avoid the siezure problem, get yourself a new set of
calipers, and then a set of manual brake proportioning valves.  i had my
rocco parked outside all winter long (without a cover) with the e-brake ON.
yes, it was on.  i thought for sure i'd have to get the friggin things off,
but it was not to be.  i depressed the e-brake button, and they let go of
the rotors right then and there.  i could not believe it.

> > Now and then the car will bottom out, or rather, the body kit will
scrape
> > the road a bit. Normal? The car doesn't bounce any when I push down on
the
> > ends though. Suspension 'seems' ok.

    are you sure that the bodykit isn't rubbing on the body?  i'm thinking
that you probably have some 205.50.15 or 185.55.15 and some old
springs/struts.  those two factors right there = rubbage.  score some new
struts, stiffer springs, and some 195.50.15s, and you should be good to go.

> Look under your car. See a hole? :) Fortunately, mufflers (except for the
> OEM muffler!) are cheap and easy to replace. The rest of the factory
exhaust
> is mandrel-bent stainless steel. Good stuff, but be careful...it is a
metric
> pipe size, bigger than 2" and smaller than 2.25". Either find a muffler
that
> has the proper metric tubing, or make/find a pipe adaptor of some sort.
The
> OEM muffler is expensive and sometimes has problems with the baffling
coming
> loose inside. It might last another 10 years or it might last 1 (like
mine).

    IMHO, forget about the OEM muffler.  go with an aftermarket jobbie.  and
neal's right, that's a mandrel-bent stainless unit on there.  it is gold.
if the PO has changed it already, he's a schmuck.  if it's still on there,
the only things that will need to replaced will be the manifold,
downpipe/cat, and the muffler.  the rest of the piping is mad strong.

    my fiancee has my old scirocco 16V exhaust on her rabbit.  the manifold
is stock, the downpipe is TT, the cat is gonzo, and the rear muffler is a
scorpion unit.  i bought the scorpion about 4 years ago, and heard stories
of how weak they were/prone to rusting/etc.  whatever, it's a top box.  i
don't know if they're still available, but i would highly suggest getting
one if they are.

> > will not do. Had them readjust the alternator, and the idle. The belt is
> > firm again, and the idle is better... but now it idles unsteady
regardless
> > if its cold or warm. It was better before I had them mess with it. I
think

    watch that alternator belt!  do NOT, under any circumstances, torque the
shit out of it.  tight belts molest the rear alternator
bearing/bushin/whatever it's called, and you have to replace it.  i've gone
thru a whole bunch of them, and now i put the belt on *just* tight enuff,
whereas before i would reef the hell out of it.

    it's an easy fix, just grab a 17mm and a 13mm wrench, and you can adjust
it.

> IMHO, the best shop is the one in your driveway. Nobody loves your car
like
> you do. Just get yourself a Bentley, a few tools, and go for it! You can
do
> almost any repair yourself.

    AMEN to that brother.  i trust nobody anymore.  ergo, i do all repairs
on my own.  last night myself, my fiancee, and a buddy finished installing a
2.0 16V into my mk2 jetta.  it's my 3rd full motor conversion without the
assistance of a shop.  and i've replaced 7 trannies as well, but that's a
different story...

    if you got patience, some tools, and some mates that wanna help out, you
can get anything done.

    HTH

jason
the mad bastard


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