82 Caddy 1.6 NA diesel manual steering rack question

[southernman]

Guys, I've combed the listings to find an answer to my question, but to no avail. I'm sure many of you know the answer to my question as the parts stores and bone yards seem clueless about it.

I have a 1982 VW Caddy Pickup with a 1.6 na diesel 4 spd. The rack (manual) is worn out and needs replaced. When I do a part search at most sites, it appears (their formatting?) racks from the 81 and 82 are the same, but somehow differ from later year models.

My question is:

Within the Caddy platform, what other cars, and year models, will my manual steering assembly interchange with ?

Thanks in advance for any assistance. This site and it's members rock !

Southernman

[R.O.R-2.0]

i know any of the mk1 rabbit, jetta, and cabriolets all share the same rack. pretty sure the scirocco takes the same rack too, but im not positive..

[southernman]

ROR, thanks for the speedy reply, as I'm thinking of going to the bone yard today. However, I'm a rookie with VW's. When you say MK1, what does the MK designator stand for - relative to the year models ?

Southernman

[R.O.R-2.0]

mk1 = first generation water cooled VWs, 75-84 cars, first body style. the rabbit is a mk1..

mk2 = second generation water cooled VW, 85-92 cars, updated body style

[rs899]

Your best chance of finding anything on any given day , since the last of the Rabbits was built in '84 would be a Cabriolet, which were around until '92.  Many of them were probably power late in production, though.

[southernman]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. I wasn't aware the cabriolet's maintained the same platform.

Again, you guys rock !

[mystery3]

The mk is short for mark designating the different generations of a given vehicle. You may also come across a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, c1 etc designating the chassis/platform across audi/vw models. A1 are first generation golf, jetta chassis, a2 second generation or mk2 golf/jetta platform. B platforms are passat/ audi 80/90. C are audi 5000/100/200. HTH

[R.O.R-2.0]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. I wasn't aware the cabriolet's maintained the same platform.

Again, you guys rock !

cabby until mid 93 was still mk1. bot with power steering, so that doesnt do you much good..

[trav1856]

I think the rack on the 81 Cabriolet I'm about to pull off is still good. (Might need to re-thread the end on the driver's side), but other than that, it still looks good and it's nice and smyoooth.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I think the rack on the 81 Cabriolet I'm about to pull off is still good. (Might need to re-thread the end on the driver's side), but other than that, it still looks good and it's nice and smyoooth.

if its a VW rack, it shouldnt have threads on the drivers side..

[trav1856]

no, I mean on the ball joint part, it's got a threaded stub and a castle nut on each end driver's and passenger (I'm talkin' about the whole assembly)...

[burn_your_money]

i know any of the mk1 rabbit, jetta, and cabriolets all share the same rack. pretty sure the scirocco takes the same rack too, but im not positive..

Yes the Scirocco uses the same rack. I forget what year they made them until, 89 at least though.

[southernman]

no, I mean on the ball joint part, it's got a threaded stub and a castle nut on each end driver's and passenger (I'm talkin' about the whole assembly)...

Hey Trav, is that a manual steering rack you've got there ? If yes, how much do you want for it shipped to nc 27613 ?

[R.O.R-2.0]

81 cabrio rack should be manual..