Ebay Tools

[ToddA1]

Hey, thanks for the link!  I'll probably order it tomorrow.  Although my adapter didn't break, it's the worst part of his kit.  

I'd tell other people to buy that adapter and a cheapo dial gauge from Harbor Freight....  Princess Auto for you Canadians.  As stated earlier, the rest can be hobbled together.

I'll also cut a bit more off my existing pin, now that I'll be getting another.... I'd rather see around 3mm preload.

-Todd

[aximiliei]

I'm a Princess Auto whore and I must say I don't think I have ever seen one in there but I find new treasure's every day 

[Dakotakid]

Lots of tools here to select from.
http://zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?action=Cat&Cat=VOLKSWAGEN&bl=3

[Quantum TD]

Lots of tools here to select from.
http://zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?action=Cat&Cat=VOLKSWAGEN&bl=3

I've bought from him too. Basically, he takes OEM tools to China and has them replicate them. Some are good, some are not. But if you compare his prices to VWSTEP, the prices are about the same or cheaper for genuine Matra, Hazet, etc tools from Snap-On.

That, and the guy is something of a C U Next Tuesday. I had the displeasure of talking to him on the phone about one of his tools. Condescending a$$, who doesn't honor his own return policy  

[ToddA1]

I remembered that I made a thread very similar to this one....  almost 1.5 years ago....

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=21943.0

Anyhow, the main reason for this post was to mention that I already received my gauge adapter.  Ordered 04/19 and delivered 04/21.  I was pretty excited to put the gauge in, hand tighten, and get NO binding.  I'm almost looking forward to using it!

-Todd

[Quantum TD]

I remembered that I made a thread very similar to this one....  almost 1.5 years ago....

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=21943.0

Anyhow, the main reason for this post was to mention that I already received my gauge adapter.  Ordered 04/19 and delivered 04/21.  I was pretty excited to put the gauge in, hand tighten, and get NO binding.  I'm almost looking forward to using it!

-Todd

I love mine now. So much easier to use. I think I'll either buy some different length pins, or grind it down like I said, to cut down on the preload. The shoulder on my gauge narrows down, so I have to put it into the adapter deeper than VW probably anticipated. Still a good deal, and better than the homemade ones.

[aximiliei]

Hey, so I thought I would give everyone a update.  I ordered the dial adapter from the VW STEP program.  Across the border and delivered in less than 2 days  (fyi for anyone looking to purchase one from them in Canada) with ground shipping at that.  Unfortunately haven't had an opportunity to use it yet as I am still trying to track down a place to buy my gauge from but by looks it looks to be excellent quality.  I also purchased the injection pump lock as it was pretty cheap fits perfect. Thanks again Quantum for that link.

[ToddA1]

I wish they disclosed shipping.  They also charged me tax, which I thought was odd.  Shipping and tax was over half what the part cost.  If I'd have known that, I'd have ordered another pin.

-Todd

[aximiliei]

Yeah I kinda wished they had to it was the same price for shipping for me and the units I was never charged tax and had no duties on delivery which was a nice surprise

[Quantum TD]

I wish they disclosed shipping.  They also charged me tax, which I thought was odd.  Shipping and tax was over half what the part cost.  If I'd have known that, I'd have ordered another pin.

-Todd

Yeah. I bought about $140 worth of stuff, and then paid about $18 on shipping and tax. I guess because they have "locations" in every state (i.e. delivery trucks), they have to charge tax. That's the only thing that suck about the VWSPAE. If you buy enough tools, it's worth it.

Even still, you probably would have paid about the same, maybe more, if you bought from Samtag tools or ZDMak after shipping costs are calculated, and you get a quality German tool. Look on the bright side.

[aximiliei]

So I am out timing my car and I just want to ask a couple questions to make sure.  I ended up buying my gauge from princess and on the gauge itself the extension pin screws about 1.5-2 inch's down the movement pin on the gauge and i read about .9 inch preload I'm guessing I need to grind down my extension pin? I just want to make sure before I do this and regret doing it. What would be a good amount to grind down?

[MizpahPAH]

I think If I am reading you correctly.

you put the adapter and the dial gauge in rotated the engine counter clockwise until the gauge stopped moving and it reads .9 ?

If this is the case turn the dial face to zero and turn engine clockwise until crank mark is at TDC then read gauge and or adjust from there...  do not it grind down...

[aximiliei]

no i didn't so i was missing a step.... i just have my motor at tdc and it was reading that and i thought it was a little excessive so your preload is placed when you turn your motor counter-clockwise not before correct? If that is the case then it was a case of mis-reading the procedure

[MizpahPAH]

I guess that would be called pre load

I just make sure there is enough travel in the gauge so that when I rotate the crank it would never bind.
I start with the engine at TDC install the gauge rotate the engine ccw until the needle stops, zero out the gauge, turn the engine cw to TDC and that will be the reading

[aximiliei]

ok thanks for the help back at it tomorrow night