So I spent the day getting pissed at my VW. Keep in mind that I have about the same amount of experience fixing cars as I do with motorbikes.
Took forever to figure out how to remove the brake drums. On the front; rear never happened. Managed to change the shoes, then realized that the wheel cylinders were both leaking. I had new ones, so not SO bad. Luckily, the new ones didn't quite fit. VERY close, but no go. Tried to rebuild the old ones with the new parts. No go there either; just a little off on size. Also, every bleed screw might as well have been welded in place. Good times.
Now for the question. My brakes were shit. Still are. The shoes have quite a lot of material left. I replaced them anyway. The inside of the drum was smoooooooooth. Should it be, or should there be some sort of scoring/roughness? Will the leaky cylinders account for my useless braking?
The inside of the brake drum is supposed to be smooth. That's good. Leaking wheel cylinders will certainly cause poor braking and you could have other issues as well. What year and model is this VW?
1973 Beetle Convertible
Quote from: elTristo on October 09, 2008, 10:00:34 AM
1973 Beetle Convertible
Don't mean to make you feel bad or inadequate but it just doesn't get any easier than that. I did those cars for so many years I could do them in my sleep. We used to joke that one of our nightmares was that we'd wake up in the morning and be staring up at the underside of a Bug. There were times when that almost happened. Let me know when you might want me to take a look and we'll get you straight.
Is it a Super Beetle or just a regular Beetle?
I don't feel bad. It was only hard because I'd never done it before. Now the problem is that the new parts (cylinders) just don't fit, and they aren't going to fit unless the back of the drum is machined to force it. I'm just gonna have to get new ones. I love wasting money, i do.
Oh, it's a super. All convertibles from 73- are supers. I think that means it can fly....
Quote from: elTristo on October 10, 2008, 09:48:31 AM
Oh, it's a super. All convertibles from 73- are supers. I think that means it can fly....
That was kind of how I remembered it but I wasn't 100% sure. Talk to me. I may be able to help get you a deal on parts so you don't waste too much money no matter how much you love doing that. [laugh] One other thing, is it still stock or have different parts been installed? Anything can happen over 30+ years.
Quote from: mac900 on October 11, 2008, 01:26:43 AM
That was kind of how I remembered it but I wasn't 100% sure. Talk to me. I may be able to help get you a deal on parts so you don't waste too much money no matter how much you love doing that. [laugh] One other thing, is it still stock or have different parts been installed? Anything can happen over 30+ years.
Aside from the wiring, I think it's reasonably stock. I tried to replace the harness last year and it didn't match at all. I am the second owner of the car, and the first did all of his own maintenance for 25 years or so.
Here's a random thought... do you know if there's a way to reverse-look up Raybestos part numbers? I could then double check and see if these are in fact the wrong parts or if they just don't fit.
Do you need front wheel cylinders? Shoes? Let me check the Ate stuff. Raybestos I don't know.
I have all the shoes and they seem to fit. I have wheel cyls for front and rear, and they do not. I think the wife bought them, though it's been so long I can't say for sure, but it might explain wrong parts.
Research has been done, realizations have been made!
It turns out that the wife did, in fact, buy the parts. Over a year ago. After checking the parts numbers vs looking up what parts I need, I see what happened. She musta gone in, ordered wheel cylinders for a 73 beetle, not superbeetle. They are different. Dangit. At least it should be easy to fix now. I hope.
Quote from: elTristo on October 11, 2008, 12:23:58 PM
Research has been done, realizations have been made!
It turns out that the wife did, in fact, buy the parts. Over a year ago. After checking the parts numbers vs looking up what parts I need, I see what happened. She musta gone in, ordered wheel cylinders for a 73 beetle, not superbeetle. They are different. Dangit. At least it should be easy to fix now. I hope.
That was why I asked the "Superbeetle" question. [thumbsup]
Well dang!! --- I just went online with our major supplier in the mainland and they don't even have anything listed for Bugs or Beetles, except the ones that started again in 1998. Oooops. I'll have to see if HIP has anything come Monday morning.
Thanks for the effort, but I should be able to get them cheap enough around here. They're only like $15 each, it seems. And the rears were the same for both models. I never got that far, as the prescribed method for removing the rear drum was something along the lines of "attach the longest breaker bar you can find to a 36mm socket and jump on it until the nut comes loose"
I didn't have a 36mm or a big breaker bar at the time. Next try I'll know better.
You could most likely substitute a 12 gauge for the breaker bar and socket...
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 11, 2008, 08:56:01 PM
You could most likely substitute a 12 gauge for the breaker bar and socket...
perhaps so, but I'd like the thing to still be mobile when I'm done.
Quote from: elTristo on October 11, 2008, 08:27:02 PM
Thanks for the effort, but I should be able to get them cheap enough around here. They're only like $15 each, it seems. And the rears were the same for both models. I never got that far, as the prescribed method for removing the rear drum was something along the lines of "attach the longest breaker bar you can find to a 36mm socket and jump on it until the nut comes loose"
I didn't have a 36mm or a big breaker bar at the time. Next try I'll know better.
I have the aforementioned 36mm socket & a half inch air gun that goes with it. That axle nut doesn't stand a chance. Now, is this vehicle driveable or has it been reduced to a garage/carport project?
Quote from: mac900 on October 11, 2008, 11:00:20 PM
I have the aforementioned 36mm socket & a half inch air gun that goes with it. That axle nut doesn't stand a chance. Now, is this vehicle driveable or has it been reduced to a garage/carport project?
It's on the barely drivable side, in that it stops, over time, with effort. I have a feeling it's going to be a few weeks before this problem and it's solution are able to meet.
Could you manage to barely drive it to the shop the Saturday after this coming Sat.? That is, to say, the 25th. We would have you out of here in practically no time. How's that?
That could be good. I need to get the parts still, and then find out when I am working. Not necessarily in that order.
OK. So just as I'm about to get weekends off, my schedule is reversing and blammo! I'll be doing weekends again for a few weeks. HOWEVER I have managed to convince my way into not working Sat 25 Oct. So, if the Mac is still down, so is the me!
what's the 25th?
< jack >
oh, and, jebus. you need to replace the mumu (sp?) muumuu? whatever... floral graphics w/ducati logos.
< /jack >
Quote from: teddy037.2 on October 16, 2008, 12:15:28 AM
what's the 25th?
< jack >
oh, and, jebus. you need to replace the mumu (sp?) muumuu? whatever... floral graphics w/ducati logos.
< /jack >
25th is the day that Mr Mac offered the use of the garage for to make with beetle brakes.
I have already thought about the logo muumuu, but I haven't found the right logo to use yet. I have updated the text tho...
[add]
poo. text too small. damn tiny avatar!
[/add]
The 25th is still good by me. Same time. Same channel.
What time is same time?
coolio
Quote from: mac900 on October 16, 2008, 04:18:25 PM
10:30 to 11:00 morning
Sounds good. I'll try to not get lost [cheeky]
Are we still on schedule for Sat. AM? If Ben has all his clutch parts we could do that too.
I'm still in [thumbsup]
As much as I would love to work on the bike then, it simply isn't meant to be. The pressure plate probably won't be here for another week (bought it from a person on here) and the cover is already on. ;D
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 23, 2008, 12:11:59 AM
As much as I would love to work on the bike then, it simply isn't meant to be. The pressure plate probably won't be here for another week (bought it from a person on here) and the cover is already on. ;D
So I guess you'll just have to join in for the [drink]
Quote from: elTristo on October 23, 2008, 06:25:24 PM
So I guess you'll just have to join in for the [drink]
Hmmm... only if you twist my arm...
Here's another, less likely thought. We picked up some USDA Prime New York steaks today. We could do some grillin' and drinkin' at Hale Hinkley afterwards, if the pertinent parties were interested.
I take it you folk are not interested in sneaks? Well, I'm grillin' anyway, just a matter of how much.
lol Oops! Never even asked my pertinent party. We were however thinking of asking if you and Jen wanted to meet us at Waldo's tonight for a pie, but we never made it out of the house. ;)
Quote from: elTristo on October 24, 2008, 09:17:26 PM
I take it you folk are not interested in sneaks? Well, I'm grillin' anyway, just a matter of how much.
If I came over for steaks I'd have to at least bring wine. That'd be the end of the Poker Run. Hey! Steaks sound good to me!
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 24, 2008, 10:35:12 PM
lol Oops! Never even asked my pertinent party. We were however thinking of asking if you and Jen wanted to meet us at Waldo's tonight for a pie, but we never made it out of the house. ;)
That's okay, jen had plans and I had work.
Quote from: mac900 on October 24, 2008, 11:06:48 PM
If I came over for steaks I'd have to at least bring wine. That'd be the end of the Poker Run. Hey! Steaks sound good to me!
So how many we talkin' here? Just give me an update on who all is a-comin and I'll supply the meat.
did that sound weird? [laugh]
Quote from: elTristo on October 24, 2008, 11:12:52 PM
That's okay, jen had plans and I had work.
So how many we talkin' here? Just give me an update on who all is a-comin and I'll supply the meat.
did that sound weird? [laugh]
Hey Sailor.
Good chance of it. Alex just said yes, but wants to know what we should bring over.
so that's me, the wiff, ben + wiff, teddy (i think) and mac. is there a macwiff as well, or solo?
i'll be down to the shop by 1100, maybe earlier if i don't get lost ;D
So what is supposed to be brought? And what time is this little shindig going to kick off?
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 25, 2008, 11:53:56 AM
So what is supposed to be brought? And what time is this little shindig going to kick off?
When is a toughie, but I'm hoping for mid-late afternoon, maybe 4-5 ish? That should be enough time for work, but early enough to not ruin anyone's tomorrow too badly.
Bring? dunno. corn is always good mit snakes. going to kahuku anytime soon? [cheeky]
Quote from: elTristo on October 25, 2008, 11:43:56 AM
so that's me, the wiff, ben + wiff, teddy (i think) and mac. is there a macwiff as well, or solo?
i'll be down to the shop by 1100, maybe earlier if i don't get lost ;D
if it's early-ish, that's cool. hopefully not too early if I get held over today :(
I suppose if need be, I can just stop home for the vino and head straight over. want me to bring more, since there's more folk?
:edit: and no, I don't mean both bottles of the blue eyed boy. [evil]
Quote from: elTristo on October 25, 2008, 12:05:24 PM
maybe 4-5 ish? That should be enough time for work, but early enough to not ruin anyone's tomorrow too badly.
That should work. Just let me know what we should bring, whether it's beer, wine or other chow implements...
ben - unless you are already gunning for something, I think jen is going to cover all the foodstuffs. I suppose desert is always nice..
tristan - get to cleaning, you slovenly slob!
Quote from: teddy037.2 on October 25, 2008, 02:11:58 PM
if it's early-ish, that's cool. hopefully not too early if I get held over today :(
I suppose if need be, I can just stop home for the vino and head straight over. want me to bring more, since there's more folk?
:edit: and no, I don't mean both bottles of the blue eyed boy. [evil]
The Blue Eyed Boy was good stuff!! [thumbsup]
Whoa!! $54.00 @ bottle at R. Fields. Those Aussies are dang proud of themselves. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
yeah, but molly dooker is some small batch shit.
our ENTIRE allocation of blue eyed boy was one case.
and we sell it cheaper, btw
Quote from: teddy037.2 on October 27, 2008, 07:23:05 AM
yeah, but molly dooker is some small batch shit.
our ENTIRE allocation of blue eyed boy was one case.
and we sell it cheaper, btw
:o
Quote from: mac900 on October 27, 2008, 09:48:39 AM
:o
that's why I snagged two bottles. well, now I've got one.
prolly replacing it today ;D
Quote from: teddy037.2 on October 27, 2008, 11:27:49 AM
that's why I snagged two bottles. well, now I've got one.
prolly replacing it today ;D
You workin' tonight?
It's a good thing I live where I do 'cause if I was living in Mililani I'd be in real trouble. Had a great time with all of you Sat. night. Thank you Tristan!!
Quote from: mac900 on October 27, 2008, 03:55:17 PM
It's a good thing I live where I do 'cause if I was living in Mililani I'd be in real trouble. Had a great time with all of you Sat. night. Thank you Tristan!!
It was a pleasure, glad you could make it. Now if only we could drag R-lo out someday.
Well, we can do something of the same once we get our new house. Nice Sunday morning ride followed by beers and a BBQ in the back yard. Any takers?
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 27, 2008, 05:10:16 PM
Well, we can do something of the same once we get our new house. Nice Sunday morning ride followed by beers and a BBQ in the back yard. Any takers?
That has potential!
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 27, 2008, 05:10:16 PM
Well, we can do something of the same once we get our new house. Nice Sunday morning ride followed by beers and a BBQ in the back yard. Any takers?
Ewww! Ben's house has cooties! Luckily, booze kills cooties [evil]
Quote from: elTristo on October 27, 2008, 10:59:07 PM
Ewww! Ben's house has cooties! Luckily, booze kills cooties [evil]
lol It's a brand new house! No way it has cooties, I haven't even gotten inside it yet. ;)
Quote from: DRKWNG on October 28, 2008, 07:33:13 AM
lol It's a brand new house! No way it has cooties, I haven't even gotten inside it yet. ;)
I know, I know. I was trying to project my cooties onto you.