GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: MowatGTI on 02 October 2009, 13:00
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Right - Gti 16v has just failed.
Offside track rod end has excessive play.
Offside front lower Suspension arm has excessive play.
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak.
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort.
Advisories include:
Both front Macpherson strut have slight movement in the upper support bearing assemblies.
Exhaust(at middle silencer) has a minor leak of exhaust gases.
Oil Leak.
Now. Basically, I want to fix it up myself, but I won't bother if it costs £££.
I'll be searching the forum for guides. Got my Haynes manual too.
I'm going to:
Replace my leaking rear shocker. (Is it best to replace both sides???)
Change both top mounts (Is this an ok job to attempt??)(I've heard the VR6 ones are stronger??)
Replace the track rod end.(Whats this like to do?)(Do I need to get alignment doen afterwards?)
Do something with the lower suspension arm. (I presume i'll need to replace this)
Mabye strip the dodgy caliper and rebuild it. (Might replace it).
Try and fix the oil leak.(Its coming from the oil cooler/filter housing. The mechanic said the nut underneath can sometimes come loose.)
I'll need to order parts today probably. I'll be using GSF but have a dealers in the city which I can go to if OEM parts are better than patent parts.
I'll be doing it in my driveway. I have basic tools. Do I need axle stands/a decent jack? Also, I presume i'll need spring compressors. Any other special tools you guys think I need?
Cheers
(Possibily my longer ever post!)
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Yes you should replace both rear shocks.
TBH if you just follow the Haynes it will tell you all you need to know!
Most definitely jack and axle stands!
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Excellent! Cheers
Are VR6 top mounts the ones to use? I might go to the dealer for the top mounts.
About to check out the GSF site and start to price.
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Dont believe they will make any difference.
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yeah replace both rear shocks as len said... A hint... (if you dont have any spring compressors, Have you not got/or can get hold of some long studding? If you can I reccomend 16mm, and you could make your own compressors, get some aluminium/other metal and drill a 17mm hole through it to allow the 16mm studding to go through, also at the end of the aluminium, shape it with a grinder to have a hook shape to it. and some 16mm nuts. Things you need to make some....
2 x 16mm threaded studding (quite long about 50-60cm will do)
4 x pieces of aluminium/or other metal and shape one end to a hook position to fit round your springs. and then Drill 17mm holes in all 4 of them for the 16mm studding to pass through.
4 x 16m Nuts
Thats exactly how i made mine at work. can be time consuming but if you work in a industrial place then the bits are free :-)
Anyway for the brakes, yeah clean up the caliper first, and check the condition of the piston and seal. if this looks really corroded, then go to a scrappy'z and get one from there. clean them up and use some copper slip/grease on the moving parts. job done.
Hope this helps.
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Yeah - absolutley.
On the spring compressor front, I'll just buy or borrow some. I could make them at work, but it's more hassle to be honest.
And luckily I have a good scrappies only a couple of miles away.
Cheers
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Yeah it is a hassle i do admit, i made mine when i was working overtime lol.
I also cleaned my calipers up lol.
Thinking of changing my front brake pads soon, so i'll have to whip of my discs and machine them at work lol
Working in industry does have some benefits lol
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Hope my boss doesnt go on this site :laugh: :laugh:
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Yeah it is a hassle i do admit, i made mine when i was working overtime lol.
I also cleaned my calipers up lol.
Thinking of changing my front brake pads soon, so i'll have to whip of my discs and machine them at work lol
Working in industry does have some benefits lol
Vey nice.
Got ten days to get it all done before a partial retest, so here's hoping......
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same with me.
New windscreen fitting today (if weather stays fine)
new wheels coming after 3pm today
just need to put new brake pipe on the rear. shudnt be too hard :smiley:
Just in total for (6mth tax, MOT, 17" rims with tyres, windscreen and new brake pipe) costing me nearly 500quid.
I'm skint.
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If my car costs big bucks to fix I'm getting rid.
Get myself an auction banger!
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Shame, do it yourself, will be cheap and experience.
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Ok, after a bit off re-assurance from you guys.
Been researching some new bits online and I was wondering if you could tell me if these are the right bits to replace:
Problem:
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK3-VENTO-CORRADO-VR6-TRACK-ROD-TIE-ROD-C461_W0QQitemZ200283638288QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2ea1d5ca10&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
Problem:
Offside front lower suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK3-GTI-CORRADO-VR6-BALL-JOINT-C300_W0QQitemZ190314139428QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2c4f9b4f24&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
Problem:
Both front Macpherson struts have movement in upper support bearing assembly.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK3-GTI-VR6-CORRADO-SHOCK-TOP-MOUNT-KITS-C358_W0QQitemZ190303140410QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2c4ef37a3a&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
Do you guys think these are the correct items to fix the problem?
Cheers
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Anyone?
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OK, went up to the dealers this morning, and the quotes were expectantly steep.
Think I'll order the items from the ebay site: tierod69 as above.
Have been out today working on the car. Just really having a look and try to understand what all the parts I need to replace too.
Have also broken the torque on all the bolts, but still need to break it on the tie rod end. Locknut is loosened, just not the end fitting.
Had trouble getting some components loose. Especially the 18mm lower balljoint nut. But a good soak of fluid bit the job.
Pretty impressed really seeing as its 15 years old. No sheared bolts or rounding heads.
One question I have is that do I need a ball joint seperator? I think I do, but just wondering because I've never used one before.
I'll take the back wheel off next and have a look of the caliper and see what i can do to get it working.
One more question: On the front suspension top mount, there is a female allen key socket. Is this bit the top of the front shock absorber?
Cheers
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You only need the track rod end from what you have posted. The first link includes the tie rod (= more cost than needed). You will need to get the car aligned as the change of ball joint and tie rod end will probably throw the alignment out. Make sure and mark the balljoint position clearly and put it back in the exact same position. The rest of the bits you have posted up seem correct.
Dont bother getting calipers from the scrap yard if you can help it (they have normally sat for a while and theres no garantee they will be any better than the ones you have) and dont bother skimming the discs yourself, new ones are reasonably cheep.
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Ok. Yeah - I realised its only the rod end I need.
To be honest, I wasn't even planning on skimming the discs.
Cheers for the help.
I'll be ordering bits tomorrow or tonight.