Re: The VW Jetta GLX Mailing List Digest V5 #142

["Paul" <harpua.iv@home.com>]

ok guys and gals,

thanks for the input on my brake issue.  i have a 96 jetta trek and after
talking with a friend who is mechanically inclined (i'm not), i have decided
to do my brakes on my own.  he says that a 9 year old could figure it out
with the shop manual.  i have to replace all my pads and my front discs and
the wheel cylinders in the back.  does anyone have any advice for me before
i begin this saturday.  please let me know if i am taking on something that
is impossible for me to do without prior knowledge.  i mean he says the
front brakes are no problem, but the wheel cylinder may be tricky.  he says
that my first try at drums is going to want me to demolish the car.  i hope
not i love my jetta.

peace,
paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "The VW Jetta GLX Mailing List Digest"
<jettaglx-Digest-Owner@igtc.com>
To: <jettaglx-Digest@igtc.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 5:53 AM
Subject: The VW Jetta GLX Mailing List Digest V5 #142


>
> The VW Jetta GLX Mailing List Digest
>  Wednesday, October 10 2001 Volume 05 : Number 142
>
>
>
> In this issue:
>
> Tire Rubbing
> A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> RE: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> RE: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> Tire Clunk
> Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2001 08:32:56 -0400
> From: "Benjamin Piecuch" <bpiecuch@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Tire Rubbing
>
> Hi all,
>
>      I have a '98 GLX with a Bilstein Sport, H&R Spring Setup.  The car
was
> lowered about 1.4 inches all around.  I'm running the stock rim size with
a
> stock size tire (Toyo Proxies.)  I rotate my tires every 10k, and on my
last
> rotation I noticed a SEVERE wear groove on the inside of my front left
tire.
>   I checked out the other three and found the same groove being formed,
but
> no where near the severity of the left front.  With the car up on stands,
I
> poked all around the wheel wells and found nothing.  No wear on the shock,
> no wear anywhere in the well.  I'm totally stumped as to what is causing
> this.
>
>      Recently, I was running the tires at 30psi because my girlfriend
> thought the ride was too rough at higher pressure.  This caused a little
> excess wear on the outside of the tire that looked like normal tire wear.
> This inside groove is probably 1/2" by 1/2" on the inside, and is
definitely
> not normal.  The sidewall is in perfect condition, yet this groove is
right
> above it.
>
>      Anyone have any idea what could be causing this?  The tires have
about
> two years (w/o winters) on them.  With my driving, that's about 35k miles.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
>     For what it's worth, I swap out winter tires when the snow hits.
These
> are 195-15-60's, and I haven't seen anything problem with them.  TIA.
>
>
>                Ben Piecuch
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 08:53:04 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Rob Meikle <rtmeikle@yahoo.com>
> Subject: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> Hey, I thought maybe one of you could help me out with
> these questions:
>
> 1st: My cruise control has been only sporadically
> working lately.  I took it to my mechanic, who first
> said that he'd need to order a part to fix it (a
> pump?)  Then, he called back later and told me he'd
> found a vaccuum leak that he was going to glue.  He
> said that usually works, and that it might save me the
> price of the new part.  I picked up the car and it
> seemed to be working fine at first, but then the
> intermittent problem came back.  Any  advice?  BTW,
> the mechanic didn't charge me anything for gluing
> it...
>
> 2nd: I was in a pretty bad car accident a couple of
> months ago; I was turning left (on a green arrow) and
> some honda driving moron plowed through his red light
> and hit my front driver-side fender.  The car took
> forever to be repaired, they said they had problems
> with getting parts.
>
> Anyway, They replaced ONE front strut, but not the
> other.  Is that ok to do? (mileage 68,000) Also, I now
> hear a loud clunk occassionally from the front left
> wheel of the car.  I don't know what it is, but I'm
> sure it is related to the accident/repair because I've
> never heard it before.  I usually hear it most often
> when I'm backing out of my driveway.  Any advice?  I'm
> going to take it backt to the shop that did  the
> repair.
>
> Finally, is there anything else I should look for to
> ensure they did a quality repair on my car?
>
> Sorry for the long post,
> ROB
> '97 GLX
> (no suspension mods)
> NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just
$8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 10:19:32 -0600
> From: "Nathan" <etherwolf@sopris.net>
> Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> I can't offer any help on the cruise but as for #2 the answer would be a
big fat NO. AFAIK, one
> strut is NOT ok, especially at 68K if those are original. Running one new
and one 68K old strut will
> mess with your alignment, cornering, tire wear, etc. The clunking could be
anything they replaced;
> control arm, strut, spring?, CV, tie rods, sway bar...
>
> I did something similar to my Jetta: ran over/hit a very solid rock REALLY
hard at about 60 mph and
> had to get some of those components replaced, but they definitely replaced
my other front strut,
> which was completely unaffected. They also had to slightly straighten my
frame.
>
> I would definitely confront them about that. Also, take it to another shop
and have them check the
> work and the status of the frame. They should be able to tell you if the
first shop screwed anything
> up. A good VW mechanic should be able to tell you also.
>
> Good luck Rob!
>
> # Nathan
> 1996 GLX
>
>
> - ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rob Meikle" <>
> To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 9:53 AM
> Subject: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
>
> Hey, I thought maybe one of you could help me out with
> these questions:
>
> 1st: My cruise control has been only sporadically
> working lately.  I took it to my mechanic, who first
> said that he'd need to order a part to fix it (a
> pump?)  Then, he called back later and told me he'd
> found a vaccuum leak that he was going to glue.  He
> said that usually works, and that it might save me the
> price of the new part.  I picked up the car and it
> seemed to be working fine at first, but then the
> intermittent problem came back.  Any  advice?  BTW,
> the mechanic didn't charge me anything for gluing
> it...
>
> 2nd: I was in a pretty bad car accident a couple of
> months ago; I was turning left (on a green arrow) and
> some honda driving moron plowed through his red light
> and hit my front driver-side fender.  The car took
> forever to be repaired, they said they had problems
> with getting parts.
>
> Anyway, They replaced ONE front strut, but not the
> other.  Is that ok to do? (mileage 68,000) Also, I now
> hear a loud clunk occassionally from the front left
> wheel of the car.  I don't know what it is, but I'm
> sure it is related to the accident/repair because I've
> never heard it before.  I usually hear it most often
> when I'm backing out of my driveway.  Any advice?  I'm
> going to take it backt to the shop that did  the
> repair.
>
> Finally, is there anything else I should look for to
> ensure they did a quality repair on my car?
>
> Sorry for the long post,
> ROB
> '97 GLX
> (no suspension mods)
> NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just
$8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 14:53:55 -0400
> From: Marc Gallagher <mgallagher@Langan.com>
> Subject: RE: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> I can help with the cruise.  they suck.  if you find what is wrong tell
the
> rest of us!
>
> marc
> 97 GLX-z
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Nathan [SMTP:etherwolf@sopris.net]
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 12:20 PM
> > To: jettaglx@igtc.com; rtmeikle@yahoo.com
> > Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> >
> > I can't offer any help on the cruise but as for #2 the answer would be a
> > big fat NO. AFAIK, one
> > strut is NOT ok, especially at 68K if those are original. Running one
new
> > and one 68K old strut will
> > mess with your alignment, cornering, tire wear, etc. The clunking could
be
> > anything they replaced;
> > control arm, strut, spring?, CV, tie rods, sway bar...
> >
> > I did something similar to my Jetta: ran over/hit a very solid rock
REALLY
> > hard at about 60 mph and
> > had to get some of those components replaced, but they definitely
replaced
> > my other front strut,
> > which was completely unaffected. They also had to slightly straighten my
> > frame.
> >
> > I would definitely confront them about that. Also, take it to another
shop
> > and have them check the
> > work and the status of the frame. They should be able to tell you if the
> > first shop screwed anything
> > up. A good VW mechanic should be able to tell you also.
> >
> > Good luck Rob!
> >
> > # Nathan
> > 1996 GLX
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Meikle" <>
> > To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 9:53 AM
> > Subject: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> >
> >
> > Hey, I thought maybe one of you could help me out with
> > these questions:
> >
> > 1st: My cruise control has been only sporadically
> > working lately.  I took it to my mechanic, who first
> > said that he'd need to order a part to fix it (a
> > pump?)  Then, he called back later and told me he'd
> > found a vaccuum leak that he was going to glue.  He
> > said that usually works, and that it might save me the
> > price of the new part.  I picked up the car and it
> > seemed to be working fine at first, but then the
> > intermittent problem came back.  Any  advice?  BTW,
> > the mechanic didn't charge me anything for gluing
> > it...
> >
> > 2nd: I was in a pretty bad car accident a couple of
> > months ago; I was turning left (on a green arrow) and
> > some honda driving moron plowed through his red light
> > and hit my front driver-side fender.  The car took
> > forever to be repaired, they said they had problems
> > with getting parts.
> >
> > Anyway, They replaced ONE front strut, but not the
> > other.  Is that ok to do? (mileage 68,000) Also, I now
> > hear a loud clunk occassionally from the front left
> > wheel of the car.  I don't know what it is, but I'm
> > sure it is related to the accident/repair because I've
> > never heard it before.  I usually hear it most often
> > when I'm backing out of my driveway.  Any advice?  I'm
> > going to take it backt to the shop that did  the
> > repair.
> >
> > Finally, is there anything else I should look for to
> > ensure they did a quality repair on my car?
> >
> > Sorry for the long post,
> > ROB
> > '97 GLX
> > (no suspension mods)
> > NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just
> > $8.95/month.
> > http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 12:02:01 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Rob Meikle <rtmeikle@yahoo.com>
> Subject: RE: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> Thanks to those who've responded, especially Nathan's
> input on the struts.
>
> Anybody understand how the cruise works?  Is there
> something that I could do to fix it? What "pump" is my
> mechanic telling me to replace? What did he glue, and
> why would that work?  Could I inspect something for
> leaks/cracks and glue it?
>
> ROB
>
> - --- Marc Gallagher <mgallagher@Langan.com> wrote:
> > I can help with the cruise.  they suck.  if you find
> > what is wrong tell the
> > rest of us!
> >
> > marc
> > 97 GLX-z
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Nathan [SMTP:etherwolf@sopris.net]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 12:20 PM
> > > To: jettaglx@igtc.com; rtmeikle@yahoo.com
> > > Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> > >
> > > I can't offer any help on the cruise but as for #2
> > the answer would be a
> > > big fat NO. AFAIK, one
> > > strut is NOT ok, especially at 68K if those are
> > original. Running one new
> > > and one 68K old strut will
> > > mess with your alignment, cornering, tire wear,
> > etc. The clunking could be
> > > anything they replaced;
> > > control arm, strut, spring?, CV, tie rods, sway
> > bar...
> > >
> > > I did something similar to my Jetta: ran over/hit
> > a very solid rock REALLY
> > > hard at about 60 mph and
> > > had to get some of those components replaced, but
> > they definitely replaced
> > > my other front strut,
> > > which was completely unaffected. They also had to
> > slightly straighten my
> > > frame.
> > >
> > > I would definitely confront them about that. Also,
> > take it to another shop
> > > and have them check the
> > > work and the status of the frame. They should be
> > able to tell you if the
> > > first shop screwed anything
> > > up. A good VW mechanic should be able to tell you
> > also.
> > >
> > > Good luck Rob!
> > >
> > > # Nathan
> > > 1996 GLX
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Rob Meikle" <>
> > > To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 9:53 AM
> > > Subject: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> > >
> > >
> > > Hey, I thought maybe one of you could help me out
> > with
> > > these questions:
> > >
> > > 1st: My cruise control has been only sporadically
> > > working lately.  I took it to my mechanic, who
> > first
> > > said that he'd need to order a part to fix it (a
> > > pump?)  Then, he called back later and told me
> > he'd
> > > found a vaccuum leak that he was going to glue.
> > He
> > > said that usually works, and that it might save me
> > the
> > > price of the new part.  I picked up the car and it
> > > seemed to be working fine at first, but then the
> > > intermittent problem came back.  Any  advice?
> > BTW,
> > > the mechanic didn't charge me anything for gluing
> > > it...
> > >
> > > 2nd: I was in a pretty bad car accident a couple
> > of
> > > months ago; I was turning left (on a green arrow)
> > and
> > > some honda driving moron plowed through his red
> > light
> > > and hit my front driver-side fender.  The car took
> > > forever to be repaired, they said they had
> > problems
> > > with getting parts.
> > >
> > > Anyway, They replaced ONE front strut, but not the
> > > other.  Is that ok to do? (mileage 68,000) Also, I
> > now
> > > hear a loud clunk occassionally from the front
> > left
> > > wheel of the car.  I don't know what it is, but
> > I'm
> > > sure it is related to the accident/repair because
> > I've
> > > never heard it before.  I usually hear it most
> > often
> > > when I'm backing out of my driveway.  Any advice?
> > I'm
> > > going to take it backt to the shop that did  the
> > > repair.
> > >
> > > Finally, is there anything else I should look for
> > to
> > > ensure they did a quality repair on my car?
> > >
> > > Sorry for the long post,
> > > ROB
> > > '97 GLX
> > > (no suspension mods)
> > > NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web
> > site hosting, just
> > > $8.95/month.
> > > http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
> Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
> http://personals.yahoo.com
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 13:22:23 -0600
> From: "Nathan" <etherwolf@sopris.net>
> Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> Rob, if you don't get an answer before tomorrow I'll attempt to remember
to look it up in the
> Bentley tonight.
>
> Also, if you feel like fixing your strut problems yourself, like I did,
lemme know; I just upgraded
> my system to Bilstein Sports and H&R Sport Springs after the disaster that
Midas left under my wheel
> wells. I have a few pointers if you're interested (would've saved me some
2 hours...) and it's not
> that hard. Maybe 4 hours for your first time. Just need an impact wrench
and a spring compressor.
>
> # Nathan
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 18:14:23 EDT
> From: MJLaDuke@aol.com
> Subject: Tire Clunk
>
> On my 96GLX I have incountered the same noise. Is the car lowered? My
noise
> comes from my shorter spring slipping on its carrier located on the strut.
I
> too only hear it in and out of the driveway. I does only happen at a stand
> still. I would recomend tightening the strut top again. Nothing to worry
> about.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 19:29:37 -0500
> From: "Mike Hansell" <mikeh74@flash.net>
> Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
> You are going to have a hard time getting insurance to pay for the other
> strut.  They are going to tell you that they don't owe for it.  They only
> owe for the damaged components.  (just my 2 cents).
>
> I would guess the clunking may be an axle????  Tends to make that kinda
> noise when it is going out.
>
> Mike
>
> mikeh74@flash.net
> Mike's VW Museum
> http://home.flash.net/~mikeh74
> ICQ #10919837
> - ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nathan" <etherwolf@sopris.net>
> To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>; <rtmeikle@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 11:19 AM
> Subject: Re: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
>
>
> > I can't offer any help on the cruise but as for #2 the answer would be a
> big fat NO. AFAIK, one
> > strut is NOT ok, especially at 68K if those are original. Running one
new
> and one 68K old strut will
> > mess with your alignment, cornering, tire wear, etc. The clunking could
be
> anything they replaced;
> > control arm, strut, spring?, CV, tie rods, sway bar...
> >
> > I did something similar to my Jetta: ran over/hit a very solid rock
REALLY
> hard at about 60 mph and
> > had to get some of those components replaced, but they definitely
replaced
> my other front strut,
> > which was completely unaffected. They also had to slightly straighten my
> frame.
> >
> > I would definitely confront them about that. Also, take it to another
shop
> and have them check the
> > work and the status of the frame. They should be able to tell you if the
> first shop screwed anything
> > up. A good VW mechanic should be able to tell you also.
> >
> > Good luck Rob!
> >
> > # Nathan
> > 1996 GLX
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Meikle" <>
> > To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 9:53 AM
> > Subject: A couple of questions...(Kinda' LONG)
> >
> >
> > Hey, I thought maybe one of you could help me out with
> > these questions:
> >
> > 1st: My cruise control has been only sporadically
> > working lately.  I took it to my mechanic, who first
> > said that he'd need to order a part to fix it (a
> > pump?)  Then, he called back later and told me he'd
> > found a vaccuum leak that he was going to glue.  He
> > said that usually works, and that it might save me the
> > price of the new part.  I picked up the car and it
> > seemed to be working fine at first, but then the
> > intermittent problem came back.  Any  advice?  BTW,
> > the mechanic didn't charge me anything for gluing
> > it...
> >
> > 2nd: I was in a pretty bad car accident a couple of
> > months ago; I was turning left (on a green arrow) and
> > some honda driving moron plowed through his red light
> > and hit my front driver-side fender.  The car took
> > forever to be repaired, they said they had problems
> > with getting parts.
> >
> > Anyway, They replaced ONE front strut, but not the
> > other.  Is that ok to do? (mileage 68,000) Also, I now
> > hear a loud clunk occassionally from the front left
> > wheel of the car.  I don't know what it is, but I'm
> > sure it is related to the accident/repair because I've
> > never heard it before.  I usually hear it most often
> > when I'm backing out of my driveway.  Any advice?  I'm
> > going to take it backt to the shop that did  the
> > repair.
> >
> > Finally, is there anything else I should look for to
> > ensure they did a quality repair on my car?
> >
> > Sorry for the long post,
> > ROB
> > '97 GLX
> > (no suspension mods)
> > NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just
> $8.95/month.
> > http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of The VW Jetta GLX Mailing List Digest V5 #142
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