1991 cabrio recommission
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![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/3e81e2838ec9cc13345ae17b7918e7e8.jpg)
Here she is being collected, I did a trade swap for a Mk2 golf
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/9e25c5843b23df3e145df0b817a00c7f.jpg)
Looks like it’s been off road for a number of years, number not known!
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1991 cabrio recommission
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/4f4ccb232edd25dc55a303d432ec0819.jpg)
So it’s out with the windscreen and the dashboard…
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/18dac75138f906e4e09cb811d96b9ecb.jpg)
What a nasty mess!
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/fb8a481f884d8692b2c667a1a00f2428.jpg)
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1991 cabrio recommission
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1991 cabrio recommission
Although the car was sold to me having a new top, it wasn’t fitted, kind of less than half fitted, badly, with half the bits missing, and here it is after Chortle has worked his magic
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/f07bdc445f7d0452c548ab2244bad8ce.jpg)
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1991 cabrio recommission
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1991 cabrio recommission
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1991 cabrio recommission
Someone had half fitted rear brake callipers.
The callipers looked daffodil, and the handbrake cables were wrong.
I know these mk1’S are famous for poor brakes, but they are not that bad.., I did run a GTi tintop for about 8 years as a daily driver back in the 90’s, and I only remember scaring myself once with inadequate brakes.
So I decided to go back to standard.
I bought a complete rear axle £20 from a nice chap on EBay, which gave me hubs, and I already had some new wheel cylinders from another project a couple of years ago, so they went on, with new flex’s and wheel bearings.
Up front the callipers were also daffodil so I replaced them with new ones, plus flex’s , and while I am at it, new track rod ends and rack gaiters went on. I changed the fixed track rod on the left side as well, so both sides are now adjustable.
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/f4f12ce195dead5730ca4d31f32f07f6.jpg)
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1991 cabrio recommission
Looks like you have your work cut out. I’m glad mine wasn’t this bad as mine sat for 5 years in a field of cars
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So next up I started on the engine.
The engine ran ok, on tickover, there was no response from the throttle pedal - there was a spring and clip missing from the throttle cable to carb. A quick post on this forum and steve1973 came through with some really clear images of how it should look/what was missing… then he kindly sent me one, thanks man!!
So after a bit of poking around, there was work to do…
![80319BC1-12BE-4A62-A4EC-37CB2302EBEA.jpeg 80319BC1-12BE-4A62-A4EC-37CB2302EBEA.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592251441/uploads/attachments/5ee7d430d8cd4.jpg)
I replaced the radiator, I ended up with a radiator which was bigger than what was there, for a diesel or a GTi or a mk2, not really sure, but it fitted ok anyway, there are optional places in the front crossmember so it slipped into the next position along, luckily I had a spare fan shroud which was laying around from another project waiting for a handy skip to find itself in. So that got a coat of paint and went in, happy days!
I don't replace anything that doesn't need it but, I spent £££ in this department, and replaced:
Spark plugs
Leads
Dizzy cap & rotor arm … all looking old
Coil …. when the sparks went AWOL
Coolant flange …. was cracked and leaking
Water pump & thermostat … overheating
Timing belt & tensioner …. precaution as it's at least 10yrs old
Intermediate shaft & crankshaft oil seals … leaking
Sump gasket … leaking for a decade by looks of it
Alternator belt…. cracking up
So that improved the spark and the cooling system and the car now starts up almost if you Go near it with the ignition key!
And it runs up to temp without any coolant leaks or getting a bit warm and spitting it's coolant out!
Engine is still a bit hesitant to rev - but Ticks over and revs up nicely, gets to temp and the fan cuts in, I am hoping it's a Pierburg auto choke issue needs tuning out, and nothing more sinister….
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Splash shield was absent…
All the front Of the wing hidden by the bumper was a big splodge of fibreglass and filler , over crumbly rust.
Great!
OE Golf mk1 wings require a mortgage, and pattern ones fit where they touch….
![74F9AD6F-26CB-4A39-87C7-7C8D0252D08A.jpeg 74F9AD6F-26CB-4A39-87C7-7C8D0252D08A.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592252165/uploads/attachments/5ee7d70448a9f.jpg)
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Why are the wings so expensive?
![DB6ABB15-260C-497D-A2A5-6C1C923F1588.jpeg DB6ABB15-260C-497D-A2A5-6C1C923F1588.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592252554/uploads/attachments/5ee7d8897d78b.jpg)
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The only bit I can find is the little brace which connects back panel to boot floor on the spare wheel well. So I fabbed up a couple of pieces to fix that.
![96CA42E9-97BA-4BDA-9EEA-126CC13CEF1D.jpeg 96CA42E9-97BA-4BDA-9EEA-126CC13CEF1D.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253013/uploads/attachments/5ee7da5465a86.jpg)
![145190BF-A31F-4380-9A96-A02C9362FB06.jpeg 145190BF-A31F-4380-9A96-A02C9362FB06.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253016/uploads/attachments/5ee7da576b9d3.jpg)
![669F503D-EB99-48E9-927C-0B1F4D095602.jpeg 669F503D-EB99-48E9-927C-0B1F4D095602.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253018/uploads/attachments/5ee7da59d5260.jpg)
![836C2B43-D1B6-462D-B2CD-CC3C52C27B50.jpeg 836C2B43-D1B6-462D-B2CD-CC3C52C27B50.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253021/uploads/attachments/5ee7da5c819f5.jpg)
![A2D3A457-0CA8-4D17-B651-CA7DCFB4D869.jpeg A2D3A457-0CA8-4D17-B651-CA7DCFB4D869.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253023/uploads/attachments/5ee7da5eeaf07.jpg)
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I had the door off to make the dash / seats removal and scuttle welding Easier.
When refitting the door , on my own, as I started the top bolt in (so I thought) I relaxed my grip and the door got away, bounced about and crash landed on the floor. Ouch!
So next job is the strip down for paint and dent repairs.
And , does anybody have a boot lid going spare? I really don't want to spend a day welding this one up…
![F5EDA6BB-8E1B-45FE-8FC0-2C3A77713409.jpeg F5EDA6BB-8E1B-45FE-8FC0-2C3A77713409.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253814/uploads/attachments/5ee7dd7530ab9.jpg)
![C97DFACA-323A-4028-B69D-3618C8CBC3D6.jpeg C97DFACA-323A-4028-B69D-3618C8CBC3D6.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592253821/uploads/attachments/5ee7dd7c371dc.jpg)
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Got replacement rims, with brand new tyres!
![566ED6CA-E94E-400F-A798-2A8A82CE27DC.jpeg 566ED6CA-E94E-400F-A798-2A8A82CE27DC.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mk1-golf-owners-club/image/upload/c_limit,w_768,f_auto,q_auto/v1592254038/uploads/attachments/5ee7de5525338.jpg)
So that's you lot up to date for now…
I'll post again after the next bit of significant progress….
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1991 cabrio recommission
Out of interest how will you go about fixing the dents in the door. I have a couple on mine and not sure whether to try to tap out with a small hammer or get it professionally done when they use those welded on pull spike things
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1991 cabrio recommission
Wilko, I can do you a little tutorial if you like… I teach body & paint for a job and I have to say it’s one of the most difficult of skills to learn how to do, but as with most things, some people pick it up quicker than others….
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/946487c6efbd814b893d82a108b80f2c.jpg)
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/2de3a6395b607674062c243c9ada8a19.jpg)
The dents are only small and I don’t have either the patience nor the skills to ease them out from behind with some rods. That’s amazing what those guys can do, and there are some great videos on YouTube if you’re interested.
The glue puller thingys are also really good. I am painting this golf anyway so no need for Paintless dent removal (PDR)
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1991 cabrio recommission
Much better for a repair as you don’t remove the factory primers, phosphate layer and zinc coating.
If you have a panel which has been repainted in the past then it’s a different story. I’m fortunate here, this little puppy is in its OE paint.
Oh, and I did get out my favourite pdr rod and ease most of the bigger dents out first.
Filler manufacturers advice max depth of filler 3mm.
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/081e9e2139fd3d79998fca0a31c103b4.jpg)
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/6d510dd12704632597c68df51746ab75.jpg)
A quick degrease and on with the filler….
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1991 cabrio recommission
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/aa4954c17a90be586c31cec159d737bd.jpg)
And found another rust through
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/57d0e06ca91776d327c7815bf4fba18c.jpg)
Little poke with a screwdriver and…
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/89b13b59782312ba5fc69b8bb47acd40.jpg)
Ggggrrrrrr, our with the welder again.
They are weird these golfs, they are so well built they only rust in isolated places, not everywhere like most cars.
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1991 cabrio recommission
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/1f61bcc7dd1a3d2bf920bc19b768db44.jpg)
The way I see it, P80 to shape, P180 to finish. This is after P180, basically ready for primer
![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/3d41fb69cab21676291f003de0580378.jpg)
Apart from this bit
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