Aircooled VW South Africa

1. The RWC inspector noticed that the right rear sideshaft is leaking oil all over my brake caliper, etc.

How easy/costly is it to fix this, and does it necessitate local, or imported spares?

2. Are all bug gearboxes 'rough'? I have heated arguements with my gearbox on a daily basis, even though it's been to a reputable gearbox place...are they just rough period?

3. My sister's '63 running 356 rims with Yokohama rubber, and a stock s/wheel has incredibly light steering. You can turn the car quite easily with your pinky, and it 'dances' across the road. It's a [easy] job to keep it straight...

How/why?

4. Is there a way to make the throttle control on a bug smoother?

Currently, in mine and my sister's, it's either on or off, period.

...more to follow, I'm sure.

1) get a new rear bearing gasket kit. Pull off the bearing cover (after draining the gearbox oil), clean it, make sure all the parts are smooth (its probably been burred in the past, hense the leak), replace gasket and assemble.

3) lowered suspension?? Put a 2mm spacer behind the bottom axle tube and then get the wheels re-aligned. I think its called toe-in. Less toe = easy turning, high speed unstable, more toe = high speed stable, harder to turn

4) check you engine mounts. Also affects clutch. You may also have debris in the box where the acc cable attaches to the pedals. Maybe put a spring on the butterfly control arm, to return the throttle quicker...

Nice answers Tony; thanks.

1. If there are any burred parts, what then? Replace, or what?

3. I'll have that toe-in checked out. She hates it, I Love it.

4. The clutch is fine, so I'm going to rule out the engine mount suggestion. I'll check out that box. It's not so much the return that's the problem as pulling away is.

N.

4) check that the acc cable on the carb is in a good position. If the link is horizontal, the cable is trying to pull the carb forward instead of opening the butterfly.

1) remove just the burrs. File until smooth. Very careful, if you cant do it right, dont do it. Here is my trick... once smooth with the file, get some 200 grit sandpaper and a thick piece of glass. Put the paper on the glass, a bit of oil on the paper and move the metal part around until all surfaces have been polished. This also checks for warpage, while identifying high spots and general condition, without removing too much material. sssshhh its a secret

Have you checked the front gearbox mount. A way to check this is to park the car with handbrake engaged. Then let somebody engage first gear and release the clutch slowly then engage the clutch a few times while you are lying next to the car watching the front gearbox mounting. A faulty mounting will have the gearbox moving up and down as you engage and disengage the clutch pedal. I replaced my mounting 2 years ago. This is the only trouble i have ever had with my 30 year old gearbox.

Kewl tips guys; thanks

More additions to this weekends 'To Do' list.

N.

With regards to the turning..... it could also be that the rims on the bugs have different offsets.... thus causing the difference in effort required.... the closer the centre of the tyres tread is to the axis of turn, the easier it will turn....

Boffin.

...I hope my rims, and undercarriage OK. :/

Got airborne off of a F'king speedbump this morning.

No paint; no signs; no F'k all.

If there's damage; those bumps will be graded away overnight and dumped on the nearest 'expensive' looking house's driveway.

:/

I'm @$^&ing annoyed at the moment...

N.

You should try and slow down for those things mate! I have done the same though, new speed bump in the neighbourhood, and was not painted yet. I leave for work before the sun is up, and creamed this bloody thing at 60km/h!!! My skull put a dent in the roof. Good thing it was in my company car

ps. I was Ok after a few days, or was that weeks................................

The street was lined with big trees, so everything was as shady as all 'ell, and there were no road markings, or warning signs.

Ffs...

N.

Not cool. And who do you sue? I am sure you would feel better if you could slap the twit who forgot to paint the roadway!!

Many times it's the morons who live in the area who front the cash for these infernal things, and not the JRA.

It's quicker to pay a contractor to build them, in the form of a 'lump', rather than wait for the JRA to put some up in the correct shape. :/

...I'll put the twit face down parallel to the bump, and then fly over his/her bump and see how good the shape is. If I fall short, s/he'll cushion the landing, and if it's correct, s/he'll cushion the landing as payment for putting the bludy thing there!

I think I should retro-fity my bee-baa with sirens and then accelerate between the bumps all night with my noisy exhausts, lights, and sirens...

Those bumps will disappear at a rate of knots!

N.

I hoot for speed bumps.

Feel free to join my campaign.

*lmao*

I really a need a sticker of that...that's brilliant.

Merlin; proud member #00002 of the IHfSB campaign!

N.

just joined up