Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

Thanks for the info vwtyp133, compared my push bars to a friends caddy, sure they are the correct bars. Do the wedges wear out? Could the emergency brake adjustment have anything to do with the problem? Would like to convert to disc rear brakes, but seems like a very expensive way to go.

Been studying my rear brake problem. The adjusting wedge is all the way down, and the shoes do not contact the 200mm drums. Looking at my Bentley, it almost has to be worn or incorrect push bar, or worn or incorrect adjusting wedge. Anyone know if there is any difference in the push bar for the 180m...

Completely rebuilt the rear brakes on my 81Caddy several years ago. New 200 mm drums, correct shoes, everything new. I noticed then that the adjusters were all the way out, and the shoes barley touched the drums. Now after 10,000 miles the shoes don't touch the drums and there is no adjustment left....

My 81 Rabbit diesel has a different bracket. I did find a good solution, bought a set of " flex head combo metric " wrenches. They have a box end rachet on one end. You can get at the bottom bolts from under neath. Would be the pits with a regular wrench as you can only get an 1/8 of a tur...

Need to replace the power brake booster on my 1981 Rabbit pickup. Looks like a pretty straight forward job EXCEPT, how in the world do you remove the 2 botton bolts on the mounting bracket? Can hardley see them, much less get a wrench on them. Have done all the vacuum tests, and it is the booster th...

Been working on my 1981 Rabbit Diesel pickup for some years now. Just never had the nerve to try it on a long trip. (over 100 miles) My nephew invited me to go turkey hunting on his ranch in Southern Kansas, about 330 miles one way. Checked everything I could think of on the VW and went for it. The ...

Found a shop in K.C. that could change the pulley to 1/2". Already have it back, and installed with new 1/2" belt, works great, no more squealing. Now I just have to put on the new compressor when it gets here, ugggg!

Need to replace the compressor on my 1981 Rabbit diesel pickup. Have been told that the original pulley set up on the compressor is no longer available. The original compressor came with a 1/2" drive pulley and a 3/8" alternator pulley. The new compressors come with 2 1/2" pullies. On...

It takes me way longer to get my seat belt on, then for the glow plug light to go out on my 81 Rabbit pickup. Only releases about an inch at a time. Have removed the roller twice, but can't see anything to clean or repair. Any hope for it, or just look for a newer one? Thanks, Kanzan

For the interior of my 1981 Rabbit pickup, I used SEM Color Coat in Napa Red. It's a spray for plastic, carpet, or vinyl. Napa Red is very close to the original color. It has held up very well, did the dash, door panels, arm rests, shifter boot, etc. looks great.

Coke, thats about what mine measures, weather pretty nasty here today, so I guess I will give it a try. Didn't want to do it twice.

Vinc. Will try to find the permatex, sounds like a very good idea. Kanzan

Have to replace the exhaust ring on my 1981 1.6na diesel pickup. Picked one up at my local parts place. It looks huge, but was assured it is correct. If anyone has an exhaust ring gasket handy, please give me the ID and OD. Don't want to tare this thing down and have the wrong part. Thanks, Kanzan

All the 8 hole pumps I could find were remanufactured, been there done that, leaked in short order. Called Bosch and Graf today, neither could tell me why the new pumps all have 9 holes. But did say the 9 hole pump and gasket should work on the 8 hole housing.

Anyone know why all the new waterpumps for my 81 diesel Rabbit have 9 mounting holes, and my water pump housing has 8 mounting holes. Is this something VW did because of gasket leakes? Will the 9 hole pump work on my 8 hole housing? Thanks, Kanzan

Thanks guys, I looked at Crutchfield last night. They list Retrosound R354, as available, will probably order those. Kanzan