Help with maintenance parts...

[BlackTieTD]

hi guys.. this is not engine-related but i wanted to post to this forum rather than the tex or some of the others... smarter people here  :lol:

i need to do a bunch of maintenance work on the rabbit and i'd like to run some parts prices by you guys and see if there is a better price, or better quality product i should order instead.

these parts are for a 1982 rabbit TD. prices are all in cdn funds, all are from partsource, and all are for premium parts, not middle-grade or economy:

wheel bearings
FRONT         $36.02ea
REAR INNER    $ 9.87ea
REAR OUTER    $10.48ea
(economy's are $19.97, $6.12, $6.50 respectively)


front brakes
VENTED DISCS  $45.37ea
PADS          $40.26 (for both sides)
(economy discs $24.50, economy pads $29.89, middle-grade pads $32.42)


rear brakes
WHEEL CYL     $18.75ea
SHOES         $36.46 (for both sides)
DRUMS         $37.03ea
(economy wheel cyl $15.75, economy shoes $26.62+core, middle-grade shoes $29.59)


ball joints
              $45.26ea
(economy $33.83)


do these sound like good prices and can i trust the quality or should i be finding an aftermarket or mail-order place for this stuff? looking to do this work on a budget, using premium parts. normally i just slap on whatever fits but i'd like to treat this dub right. this is a daily driver and i'm about to go back to school so i'm saving $$$ where i can. advice?

[type53b_gtd]

wheel bearings
FRONT         $36.02ea
REAR INNER    $ 9.87ea
REAR OUTER    $10.48ea
(economy's are $19.97, $6.12, $6.50 respectively)

Should be fine - but check out www.altrom.com first for price.  I go to Britton Auto in Guelph for Altrom, but there should be someone in Kitchener who can get them.,

front brakes
VENTED DISCS  $45.37ea

I usually buy VW discs, Parts Source may be ok, they may be made in China.  Never by altrom discs.

PADS          $40.26 (for both sides)
(economy discs $24.50, economy pads $29.89, middle-grade pads $32.42)

Get PBR deluxe from Altrom - way better pads, cheaper too.  Not the metalmaster - they're rough on rotors.

rear brakes
WHEEL CYL     $18.75ea
SHOES         $36.46 (for both sides)
DRUMS         $37.03ea
(economy wheel cyl $15.75, economy shoes $26.62+core, middle-grade shoes $29.59)

Again, price Altrom.  You should be ok on the wheel cyls (a bit dear maybe) but those drums are likely from China - I've used them before and they do hold up OK.  Get a hardware kit as well - the springs/retainers are not included in any of that and you'll need 'em.

ball joints
              $45.26ea
(economy $33.83)

www.altrom.com.  (does this sound like a broken record?)I think the dealer is probably cheaper than that - I think I paid $35 for a ball joint last year at VW.

If you've never done rear brakes before, be prepared for problems with those rusty old hard lines.  Can't hurt to start soaking with a good penetrating oil a few days in advance.

I do buy a fair bit from Altrom, a lot of their stuff is OEM, and the nice thing is you can get the list of part numbers from their on-line catalogue then call or fax it in to the local dealer.  I order stuff before 10:00 from Britton in Guelph and they get it that day if its in stock in Miss.

Drew

[Dropout]

I just replaced the rear wheel cylinders. Don't try to undo the fittings from the cylinder, undo the cylinder from the line.

Dropout

[DV8]

Check www.bestforeignparts.com . Their prices and service has been good for me.

[type53b_gtd]

I just replaced the rear wheel cylinders. Don't try to undo the fittings from the cylinder, undo the cylinder from the line.

Dropout

Yes, this is a good tip.  If you can't get the bucket bolts out of the back, you can break the cylinder casting with a chisel and then turn the cylinder off the line.  However, it won't help with those really crusty brake lines that collapse when you look at them sideways - these are just begging to be replaced...

[fspGTD]

Get PBR deluxe from Altrom - way better pads, cheaper too.  Not the metalmaster - they're rough on rotors.

I agree not to get the metalmasters, but by all means stay away from the PBR deluxes - I would not wish those brake pads on my worst enemy!  I had those green-fade on my Rabbit once driving on the street and the brakes went away suddenly and completely, sending me and a friend sitting in the passenger seat sailing through an intersection we had a stop sign at.  We were lucky there were no cars in the way.  I just had to book right through and take a really hard turn hoping no one was there because I had no brakes!

I recommend highly ferodo pads for the street or autocross.  VW OEM pads are also good but the ferodos are cheaper.  IMO, just stay away from anything PBR.

[fspGTD]

For the rest of the parts, any of a large number of OEM parts supply mail order houses can hook you up with good quality at good prices.  I usually cherry-pick the best prices /quality when I order, I don't order everything from any particular place.

A few of my favorites:
for actual genuine VW parts: impex - http://www.vwparts.com (their web site can give a price quote from any VW part number - very handy if you have ETKA.  Generally a local dealer will be a touch more expensive.)

Other good general OEM supply houses: gpr parts http://www.gprparts.com  potterman: http://www.parts4vws.com

Some road race supply houses have great prices on best quality suspension joints, etc type parts such as http://www.bsiracing.com  (Tip: look for synthatic-packed front wheel bearings from these guys.)

A number of others too.  Lately I've been going to local VW OEM suppliers more.  They can be a touch to a good bit more expensive than mail order, but you can return a part you don't need (very hard to do with mail order), sometimes they have it right in stock and you can examine it before deciding to buy, instant gratification.

[BlackTieTD]

thanks for all the advice guys!!  

..do any of you know of any canadian mail order sources (besides altrom)out there so i won't have to deal with duty and brokerage?  :roll:

[BlackTieTD]

is wagner stuff any good? can get vented rotors and wagner thermal pads... fairly hard for $45.37ea discs and $53.30set pads. seems a little expensive so they'd better be good quality.. made in the USA.

[Dropout]

I've always heard that Mintex pads are good. Don't know where to get them in Southern Ontario though.

Dropout

[BigggWilly]

Here is what I paid (all prices from London Ont.)

front brake rotors: 25.99each at canadian tire for brembo solids.

front pads (set): 29.99 for jasper economy pads (aka fade-o-matic) I think i'm going to replace these (with only 3000km on them.

Rear wheel Cylenders: 18.20 at canadian tire (premium) They work fine.

Rear brake line flex hose (from the body to the rear swim arms): 7.20 at part source *price matched with VW dealer*

Timing belt stuff: (all from Bug Stop specialty VW mechanic on third street)

Belt: 29$
Bolts: 1.80 each X10
Head gasket $39 (3 hole)
Oil pan gasket: $12 (cork)
Cylender head cover gasket: $9.50


Throwout bearing $9.50

Thats all I can remember, but the guys at Bug Stop are really nice, and they have good prices.

[type53b_gtd]

I agree not to get the metalmasters, but by all means stay away from the PBR deluxes - I would not wish those brake pads on my worst enemy!  I had those green-fade on my Rabbit once driving on the street and the brakes went away suddenly and completely, sending me and a friend sitting in the passenger seat sailing through an intersection we had a stop sign at.  We were lucky there were no cars in the way.  I just had to book right through and take a really hard turn hoping no one was there because I had no brakes!

Interesting.  I've put 100,000km on them on two vehicles (the Scirocco and my 87 Jetta winter beater) and had no brake fade issues in either case - they seem to be holding up quite well, aren't hard on the rotor, and stop both cars fine.

YMMV I guess...

Drew

[Wingaman]

Check out http://www.automecanix.com