A few questions about my Mk1 Golf Clipper

 Hi All,

I am fairly new to the group, only bought this in October and put it straight in my warehouse undercover until now.
Just getting all the little bits sorted so she can come out into the sunshine next month.

Its my first Mk1 and I'm trying to find out things about it, can you help?

1. Can anyone tell me what wheels I have fitted as I have not seen them on any other car?

2. The rear wheel bearings feel loose, can they be tightened or do I need to replace them?

3. The steering is very heavy, I have hear from someone that the top mount spacers might be missing or is this just normal?

4. Is this the correct grill and lights for this car?  I also have a single headlight grille. Which one is correct??

5. When I drove it home the front scuttle felt like it was all over the place, I've bought a K-bar, will this sort it or do I need anything else?

Thanks

 

Welcome gadget32, I'll try and answer some of your question..

1. I'm no good at wheels..

2. The rear wheel bearings are only just "nipped up" so VW fitted a split pin to stop the nut coming undone. If they are to tight you wreak the wheel bearing or to lose you will also wreak the bearing. I do mine up with the wheel on and so you can just feel no "in and out" play, it's the difference of a 2mm turn.
Always fit a new split pin if you adjust them.

3. Steering is heavy so don't turn the wheel without moving the car but it should lighten up once on the move and anything above 20 mph a finger and thumb  should be able to turn the wheel.

4. The correct grill is on the car, 4 light grill.

5. Did you have the roof down when driving as they are floppy when it's down. You could have worn wishbone bushes? maybe have a look and check the rubber bushes or post up some pictures and we may be able to see something… K bar, bottom brace does help tighten up the steering.

 

Welcome along

1, The wheels are BBS RZ or they could be copies as lots of manufactures made copies. They were fitted to BMW's and VW's in the 90's.

2, What Mark said

3, true, but also if running wide tyres it makes it worse. Also if the camber and castor aren't correct it also gets heavier

4, What Mark says

5, It's an old convertible. They flex. A lot! Front K bar and top anti roll bar between the strut tops can help.

Looks like a nice one from here  

 

Ian

Scuttle may feel loose but could be due to poor dash fittings and or fixing inside the dash itself missing, I had many!

Also the stereos can move about a fair bit so check for the rubber bung on the back of it

Agree with comments so far. Rear wheels are simple taper bearings so can be 'nipped' up to remove any excessive play but don't over do it. Spin wheel when jacked up and make sure there no roughness or untoward noises.

Front steering, depends what you are used to…. coming from a modern PAS equiped car (can you actually buy a new car without PAS?) they do feel heavy and very low geared. 1st corner I go around after a while not using them I end up on wrong side of the road. Make sure tyres are at correct pressure and geometry settings are correct. There is a ball race in the top mount that over the years get wet and rusts and can make things worse.

Can't say that the scuttle shake is that bad on mine but I did fit a K-bar that I came across cheap a few years ago. Suppose it depends how and where you drive. Cabrios are more for show than go.  

Smart looking car btw.

Thanks guys much appreciated.

I was really lucky to find such a clean car with original un-ripped interior.

I didnt know there was a ball race in the top mount, do you have a link to where I can buy these or a part number maybe?
Cheers

The top mounts now a days seem to be made of cheese as they never seem to last long, I have to change mine every couple of years on my daily.
If you have a finger gap between the metal top and rubber bush change them as they are at the end of there life.

I've tired most makes and Febi seem to be the best.

I don't think you can just buy the bearing, you can get the spacer sleeve on it's own or it comes in a kit.

Like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-SCIROCCO-CADDY-SHOCK-TOP-MOUNT-KITS-FEBI-BILSTEIN-GERMANY-PAIR-C165/221349752977?epid=5032902715&hash=item3389793091:g:TVMAAOxygPtSyqHv

Sleeve

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CABRIO-SCIROCCO-CADDY-STRUT-SHOCK-TOP-MOUNT-SPACER-SLEEVE-x-2-C02/221277166691?epid=1627179830&hash=item3385259c63:g:-3cAAMXQtRxSJKQI


Post up a picture of your top mount and me may be able to tell if it's shot.


Other option is lift the front of the car off the ground and turn the steering wheel, could be your steering rack is worn/rough?

Have a look at this thread…..

View topic: Front suspension top mounts - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club