you ll probably have to adjust the valves, need tool & shims, and feelers. changed fuel filter?& air filter? 1st thing to do,, dont forget fuel treatment, all the time youll need to add fuel 'conditioner', in winter youll need a winterizer/anti-gel, i use the regular stuff you can find at auto stores(forget the brand, ?diesel kleen?), if the temps go below 20f i put some in, for lower temps i add more so the fuel wont gel/freeze. in cold weather i keep at least 1/2 a tank,,depending where you are you may want a thinner oil for cold starts. i feel a conv. 15w40 oil gets cold @about10-15f, so perhaps a synthetic like a 5w30 may be smart.
a rabbit or golf or jetta mk1&2 brakes are fairly simple, take wheels off and a 6mm allen will take front calipers off, you can go from there, for the rears, you just pop the outter wheel bearing out and the drums should just come off with out much problem. you just need a tool for wheel bearing adjustment for nut, outter wheel bearing on these has to be serviced about every 6months, regrease outter and readjust(need a new cotter key/pin). a few other tools are channel locks, needle nose, adjustible pliers, screwdriver(s), &a plastic hammer. some of the basics,, when you get a chance, you say the steering needs work, the rack can be expensive to do and difficult, the other thing is the u-joint in the steering column, can go,,other than that id consider rebuilding whole suspension, in a car this old i do it all, to the rubber bushings that have to be pressed in to a-arms. check tire rack for bilsteins, from them you can get the sport shocks/struts for a good price, i doubt youll have a problem with them,, and they ride nice, and are performancy.