MOT results on my Mk1 Cabby "ouch"

[dan]

Hello,

Found myself a winter project and quite new to this resteration stuff and would like some advice please.

Well found myself a Mk1 Cabby on a 1981 plate 1.5 auto, looked ok, inspected for rust in the usual places. None.  Underneath solid as a rock. Roof and hood not too bad, however roof is White, well dirty white! and one small rip.

I have just got back form the garage with the MOT results!

Here we go :-

1. Both Front suspension mounts have excessive play

2. Near side front Bottom ball joint has excessive play

3. wheel bearing in both fronts and both backs have excessive play.

4. off side and near side drive shaft cv boots both split.

Am I laughing or crying?

It may be hard to reply over email but I would like to hear from anyone who has repaired any of the above and its difficulty.

Cheers

Dan

P.S Front Numberplate cracked too

[mk1]

Think most of this stuff has been covered in the forums before so a search will give you a lot of help.
Here is my 2ps worth .
1. Both Front suspension mounts have excessive play.
Remove struts, compress spring with  spring compressor, remove nut on the top of the damper rod (sometimes it helps if you "crack" the nut before you remove the strut from the car) and swop the old for new.
2. Near side front Bottom ball joint has excessive play
While the strut is off, replace the ball joint. 3 bolts, thats it .
3. wheel bearing in both fronts and both backs have excessive play.
While the struts and hubs are off the front, replace the front wheel bearings, you will need a press or a good vice, if your not confident to replace the bearings, drop the hubs into your local garage and they will change them for you. Rear bearings are adjustable, remove the grease cap and remove the split pin that locks the nut and tighten using a pair of pliers just hand tight and no more. Spin the drum and if it sounds rough the bearing is shot.
4. off side and near side drive shaft cv boots both split.
C V joints knock off the shaft, slide new boot on and refit the joint.
I think for a 22 year old car you are laughing
Steve

[golfvr6]

I think Steve has said it all   The only job that will be hard for a DIYer is the front wheel bearings, as they are very difficult to change without a hydraulic press.

[richandhazel]

mk1 and vr6 are spot on there. I have access to a hydraulic press at work, that I usually use for the front wheel bearings. One of these days I'm going to build myself a rig for doing it at home.........I have an old 50 tonne aircraft jack that would be ideal.

[mk1mat]

when you say suspension mounts do you mean the bushes or the top mount? if its the bushes i found that to buy a complete control arm is far easier and almost as cheap as replacing the old parts, good luck mate

[dan]

Hello,

Thank you to everyone who has left messages.  My task will begin soon.

@Mk1mat

when you say suspension mounts do you mean the bushes or the top mount?

I am not entirely sure, the MOT log said " Both Front Suspension Top Mounts have excessive play ". How would I find out if it was the brushes?

@mk1

Remove struts, compress spring with  spring compressor, remove nut on the top of the damper rod (sometimes it helps if you "crack" the nut before you remove the strut from the car) and swop the old for new.

When you say swap old for new, which bit do you mean?

Sorry for all these lame question but I would rather have the experence in doing this myself rather than paying out ??'s, plus I have a VW spares place in Sandwich, Kent which is not too far from me.

Cheers.

[mk1]

The top mounts come as a unit that fits at the top of the suspension strut. When the spring is clamped and the damper rod nut is off, the top mount lifts off and you put the new one on and refit the nut. The spring needs to be compressed so when the nut is remover the top mount don't hit you in the face  . Be sure that you are confident in your ability to do this, as the spring has a lot of power stored up when it is clamped.
Steve.