Clutch brakes and front suspension questions

Hi, I am new to the form with very original low miles 1991 Rivage Cab that has been in the family since new.

I am trying to persude my better half to use the car and need to do a bit of work so she feels comfortable.

The car has 77k miles on the clock and the clutch pedal is right at the top and operates in the first 20mm or so.

I am happy to change the clutch and fit a new cable but any recommendations welcome

While at it I would like to get a bit more stopping power and fitting a new set of calipers and pads seems sensible - again recommendations would be welcome

There is talk about a servo upgrade - is there a supplier selling an upgrade kit with all the bits to swap over?

And finally while the front is stripped it would be good to fit new suspension both damping and springs - I dont want to lower at all (i live in Wales and drive up tracks) what do you recommend

I will get some pics posted and we are up for a drive out if there are events in Wales?  clashes with bike events sometimes as we ride bikes lots as well

Many thanks Guy851 

Welcome along Guy!

You might get some more adjustment at the gearbox end of the clutch cable. By moving the adjustment nut, it may help with the pedal travel. Sounds like it's probably adjustment rather than a shot clutch. Probably…….

Start with the brakes by changing out the fluid. If it's not been done for a while you'll be surprised by the effect just changing it will have.
The usual mod is to use a 9" servo and 22mm Master cylinder from a mk2 golf. Ebay is your friend.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Scirocco-Cabriolet-Golf-MK2-GTI-8V-16V-Brake-Master-Cylinder-191611019-/161576833590?hash=item259ebad236:g:oOwAAOSwWKtUx7zA

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk2-Golf-GTI-9-Brake-Servo-With-20mm-Master-Cylinder-Reservoir-192-612-105-C-/172632740206?hash=item2831b6916e:g:gloAAOSw4CFYy~z4

Mk3's have a similar set up so a breakers yard might be able to help.

Bilsteins seem to be a popular choice for shocks. Have a chat with Mark Carter (Funkstar) the owner of Classic VW.co.uk - There's a link in the banner to the left of your screen.

Have a look through the FAQs and the Guides section at the bottom. Loads of stuff on brakes and suspension.

Cheers

Ian

Just a little side note.
You've got a fairly rare Mk1 there so do think twice before making any serious changes to the original spec.

Or whatever you change hang on to it so you can always put it back to complete original.  Because buyers looking for cars like yours generally want them standard.

That and a few Mod's on one can easily knock 30% straight of the value! 😉👍

Many thanks both for your input.
Good to know I might get some adjustment on the clutch and perhaps a new cable and see how we get on.
The info on the brakes is good - are the servo and  master cylinder a straigh swap over or will I need to make modifications?
As its bog standard apart from power steering that was fitted when it was almost new I have no interest in modifications apart from getting the brakes better and the front suspension needs sorting anyway. I realise its quite rare but we are and will keep driving it so it will need maintaining as we go. It was my mums from new so our lads will get to drive it once they gain a couple of years and the insurance cost gets sensible !
Guy851

Straight swap

It is a pain in the neck to do the servo though, as there're numerous fibre washers that go on the pins for the crank. Just watch you don't lose them!

golf Cabrio  - Mike, are not 'sensible' mods unlikely to affect the value of a 'rarer' model? Such as a brake upgrade? Just curious. You know my philosophy is more 'if it's an upgrade it'll probably get done'  

borednow said

Straight swap

It is a pain in the neck to do the servo though, as there're numerous fibre washers that go on the pins for the crank. Just watch you don't lose them!

golf Cabrio  - Mike, are not 'sensible' mods unlikely to affect the value of a 'rarer' model? Such as a brake upgrade? Just curious. You know my philosophy is more 'if it's an upgrade it'll probably get done'  

borednow  

Well that's the Concourse Show Class right out the window! 🤣

As for the brakes Ian I keep forgetting that you've got the steering wheel on the wrong side of car that's why your brakes are naff! 😂

But whatever floats ya boat but I am a firm believer of owners can do to their cars whatever they want! 😉👍

For the Suspension upgrades, I rock stock, no lowering, no coil-overs….(but wait, aren't McPherson's really coil overs?)

I will tell you that stock springs are avail at places like GermanAutoParts.com (us) and others.  But let me give you 2 pieces of advice.

The previous sets of Strut-Mounts I got labeled MeisterKraft were made in China.  When I installed them
one of the Pressed Mounting studs spun in the mount, I couldn't get it tighter or looser to remove it.  

I had to have my son hold the nutted stud from the top, while I worked my Wire welder up the Strut tower to Tack weld the pressed nut… Once that was done I could remove the assembly and Tack the studs to the frame of the mount.  

Once I got them fitted to the car, I had about as much gap on the strut to the cap as I did with the dead ones.

I have since started to do a couple of things to enhance the mounts.

I have started to Tack-Weld the Pressed Studs to the frame of the mount, after I prime and repaint..

I then turn the mount upside down, and fill the Gap with 3m Window-Weld Urethane Sealer.  It takes about 3-4 days to cure so don't expect to do it all in a day.  Prep is everything.

The 3m will make it sit a tad higher in the front but knowing that the mount will last longer than it take to type this out is a good thing….The Quality of some makers of the mounts is questionable.

And the inner bushing may need to be filed level with the mount as I had 2 sets that had about 1/8 inch taller bushing than was needed….



I use standard inserts to the Strut, my old bones loves a cushier ride than my old MG days.  

The best and easiest mod to do on your ride is to relay the headlights.  You can use the 2-or-3 relay system, and readily see amazing improvements to your headlights.

Golf Cabrio said

 I am a firm believer of owners can do to their cars whatever they want! 😉👍

While that I can agree with to a point.  I have watched over the years Bug-eyed sprites for sale as all original.
One had a 1275cc engine in it, and another had a 327CI….

The gauges were swapped to VDO instead of Smiths, and the Armstrong Lever shocks were replaced… While that wasn't a bad thing it certainly wasn't "original"

OEM rocks, and a mod you do may not be the Mod a different buyer wants…..

Just my two cents

Thanks all for your advice and input.

I have some parts coming from Classic VW and she will go on the ramp next week.

I am going to try a full refurb of the brakes as they are before embarking on an bigger servo and master.

So rebuild front calipers + new pads and replace the complete rear with new drums.

Suspension will have new B4 Bilstein inserts and top assembly at the front and B4 units at the rear

Clutch we will fiddle and see what adjustment is available

I will report back once completed

Guy851

Many thanks all for your advice and thanks to Mark at Classic VW for guidance and providing all the parts that fitted straight out of the box.

All done - Brakes, Suspension and adjusted clutch make driving her a pleasure and surprizingly good for her age.

All original right down to the hood and paint with the exception of power steering and B4 inserts in the front struts

And summer is here

Guy851