Author Topic: DIY tool for changing valve shims / depressing lifter? (Read 3824 times)

ldeikis · « **on:** October 11, 2008, 01:41:25 pm »

Is it possible to use a more common tool, or build/modify something to depress the cam followers and remove the shims from a solid lifter engine? The car in question is a 81 1.6.

I've seen the tool in question sold for everything between $36 and $120, but I'm not so into spending that on something I'll hardly ever use. I don't want to cheap out and damage the cam or the followers, but I'd love to hear there's a workaround... and it looks like the "VW" tool isn't much more than a hook.

If not, is there a disadvantage to using the cheaper tools rather than the Hazet? Like this:

www.germanautoparts.com/displayimage.php?file=0100519577H9C9S6

Thanks.

Luke

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2008, 03:40:03 pm »

sometimes i see them on e-bay or the samba for 20bucks or less
i bought mine on samba for 25bucks
I hardly use it but atleast i have to use when i need it!
Duane

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2008, 08:37:25 pm »

our princess auto has one for around $20 IIRC.

i wouldn't trust anything i made for that kind of job...

Duster 5.9 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2008, 05:54:10 pm »

i used to go on the dodge tdr site alot. there were always people on there willing to loan there tools out you pay shipping both ways. you say(can i trust i'll get my tools back?) we'll i never read were there was this problem. also get the persons info first so everyone on the site can track that person down. I guess what i'm getting at here is maybe some people on this site would be willing to do that. helping folks out whom only need it 1 time.

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2008, 06:04:35 pm »

that is a good idea, but i think the shipping alone would be $20-ish... maybe for one of those metalnerd timing belt tool sets... $300-ish :shock:

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2008, 06:08:42 pm »

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=448170

but this one say it won't work on rabbit's seems odd looks like it will?
Duane

Possum79 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2008, 08:25:50 pm »

I picked mine set up on ebay buy it now for like 6 bucks. It came out to less than 15 bucks after shipping. I dont see them listed anymore so Im guessing he ran out. Mine came with the pliers and the depressor tool. I have yet to use them and I believe they were KD brand.

jtanguay · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2008, 09:00:40 pm »

Quote from: "libbybapa"

The DIY version of the tool is a ratchet that loosens the nuts holding on the cam caps. :wink: Measure all of the clearances and write them all down. Do the math to figure out the differences necessary. Pull the cam and replace all of the shims at once. Replace the cam. For the process, the timing belt can be clamped to the sprockets. Really, buying a tool seems more fun to me, but if you have more time than money...

Andrew

would the timing belt tensioner need to be loosened to get at cyl 1 or is there enough clearance with the cam on an angle? i'm guessing not but just wondering...