87 jetta diesel $500

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hey guys this car is what you'd consider a beater but its motar and drive train are very strong and it doesnt burn any oil. the car is an 87 4 door that i bought in hopes of fixing it up for my mom but today i finally had it with the car.i had it up to a garage and the crack head mechanic tightened the rear axle nut on with a impact hammer or something and comepletely f'd over my spindle which means that the whole traling arm now has to be replaced or the spindle needs to be rigged up somehow but i dont want to take any chances so im getting rid of it. the body is decent, the paint sucks but there are no rot-holes or anything like that just rust spots here and there. the car has 160kms and the inspection is up next month. only problem is that the car has to be towed and im in halifax Nova Scotia

[chrissev]

the crack head mechanic tightened the rear axle nut on with a impact hammer or something and comepletely f'd over my spindle which means that the whole traling arm now has to be replaced or the spindle needs to be rigged up somehow

huh?  rear axle nut is only to be finger tight.  You don't even use a wrench on it.  Held in place with a cotter pin and a cap.

Re:  replacing rear spindle:  it bolts onto the trailing arm.  Four bolts.  Just undo and remove.  Grab another one from a junkyard, they are plentiful.

[fillmore]

woa, woa, woa what? so your saying that i can replace the spindle? and also i know that its supossed to be finger tight but the dumbass mechanic that took apart my drum thought otherwize. so can i confirm this that i can replace the spindle?

[Patrick]

Yup, he's right. Even the whole trailing arm isn't that big a deal, at least in an A1 car, and I think they probably built the A2 the same way. Two brake cables, two brake lines, 2 bolts on hte struts, and four bolts attatch the whole thing to the car, at least on an A1.

[srivett]

The stub axle is only 45 bucks new from an Altrom dealer.  The bearing kit is another 25.  When you get the parts in staple the bill to your mechanics forehead.  He needs a good reminder that his stupidity has consequences that HE will pay for.

Steve

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wow guys, youve made my day thanks for the help and i can assure you that thats the last time i will be taking my buisness there. thats the first time that ive taken one of my cars to a shop and it will proboly be the last too. i mean how could a mechanic knowinly do that?? he must be a complete idiot

[chrissev]

woa, woa, woa what? so your saying that i can replace the spindle? and also i know that its supossed to be finger tight but the dumbass mechanic that took apart my drum thought otherwize. so can i confirm this that i can replace the spindle?

that is correct (as everyone above has said already).  The stub axle bolts onto the trailing arm and is easily removed.  A lot of VWs share the same stub axle so if you take your old one to a junk yard and have a look around you should easily find one.  I am pretty sure the 1987-1991 Fox has the same stub axle as the 1986-1989 Jetta actually (same wheel bearing too I think).  Have a look around in your local junkyard.

Oh, and just as a public service announcement:  the cotter pins that hold the rear axle nut on are NOT reuseable (even though some mechanics seem to think that they are).  Always replace them.

[optiks]

hey would it be possible to trade boost pins ?!  i could mail you my #51 boost pin and you could send me your pin

there would really be no difference for a stock engine

[addautomotive]

What was the garage?

I have friends in Halifax, would like them to steer clear of this place. PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting it.

Thanks,
Jake

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the place is called colestrings its on the outskirts of halifax in tantallon