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After well over 100k miles (256k total), I determined that the ol' wagon was ready for it's 4th set of suspension parts (struts/shocks). I suffered the OEM/Buick wannabe parts along with two sets of Monroe SensaTraks. This time I decided to try the orange Koni's, mostly because Monroe doesn't...

Like many others here, my OEM front pads and rotors went over 150K miles with no problems. After replacement, the nightmares began. Here's the short version: 1) Replaced OEM pads with TRW pads from IDParts.com 2) Burnished pads per normal procedures 3) Brakes stopped like an anchor, but dusty...

I have an old interface cable that I bought from Greg Landuyt (Lube Specialists) sometime in '03. It's always worked perfectly with Vag-Com (shareware version 3.11) for the few times I've had to pull codes, etc. So now I need to do my second TB change (first time around I used another...

I replaced both front and rear control arm bushings last April at 152,000 miles. The rear bushings were looking a little weathered with some checking cracks, but nothing bad. The rest of the suspension has also recently been replaced with new Monroe SensaTraks, bump stops, strut mounts, VR6...

I know I won't have the "fastest" time for a trip, but it sure reminded me all over again why I love my TDI! I got back this morning about 12:30 a.m. from a little road trip to Magnolia, TX for a dear old friend's wedding. Our son is at "Camp Grandparents" this week and the wife wanted to...

I'm approaching my second timing belt change which will be around 175K or so. As I did last time, I'll replace all the rollers, idlers, water pump, cam seal, and probably the full tensioner rather than just the pulley. My question is what to do with the alternator? It is the original unit...

Having recently passed 154,000 miles and going, I'd like to put a list down of things still to do so I can keep reliability as good as it has been - which has been bulletproof! Besides all regular maintenance items, using basic tools I have: Replaced brakes, front @ 140K and rear at around...

Just an FYI heads up for ya 'all that live in the "Rust Belt"....if you have your suspension apart for new struts, take a GOOD look at your springs. I installed my second set of Monroe Sensa-Traks about 10K miles ago and while looking at the front springs, I noticed an area where the coating...

I've got a dragging right rear brake (posted that question some time ago). I took the wheel off, looked at the caliper, and the pads aren't stuck to the caliper and the caliper isn't frozen on the pins. It appears to be an internal issue of some sort. It's not dragging enough to overheat...

Patient - 2002 Jetta Wagon, 103K miles. Brakes 100% original all around. LOTS of meat left on all the pads, especially the fronts. Bled the brakes myself w/MityVac about a year ago. Symptoms - excessive brake dust on right rear wheel, recent phenomenon. Normally I experience almost zero...

All of a sudden, on the way home tonight, the clutch on my '02 Jetta felt funny. It started by not returning the pedal all the way, and progressively got lower and lower to the floor. Finally it's almost all the way to the floor, won't return, and the clutch won't disengage hardly at all. It...

I have a Curt Mfg. hitch for my 2002 Jetta Wagon for sale - NEW, never installed. I also have a DrawTite Modulite Lite wiring converter box, also NEW. The hitch is well made, and almost identical to the other hitches available for the Wagon like the Dalan. I do not have a ball or drawbar...

I made an interesting observation last night while unloading my new Turanza LS-H tires on my Avus II wheels from the wife's CRD last night. They BARELY fit into the rear cargo compartment. The door had to be really squeezed shut. This is with the tires standing upright and facing front to back...

I've got a small issue (maybe a large issue) that I noticed tonight while checking the oil. I did the 80K timing belt replacement about two months ago at a fellow TDIer's house. I used the full 100K parts set from Dieselgeek. Everything went quite well. I did the change around 78K miles. At...

Help!! We're moving soon from SE Wisconsin to the Rockford/Belvidere area of Illinois. Since were a totally diesel family (My Jetta Wagon and her Liberty CRD), we need to find a source for decent fuel. Normally, I use Amoco Premier and she uses Koch Gold. Amazingly, her CRD gets about 10%...

Liberty CRD \'stumble\' Hi, gang. Regarding our new Liberty - two mornings in a row, when stopped at the first stoplight after a cold start (garage is 40F), the engine will sort of shudder about every 10 to 15 seconds at idle in gear. The light is about 1-1/2 miles from the house, so the...

Well, we did it! (I guess I should say *I* did it - I've converted the wife into a diesel driver! ) She's been oogling the Liberty since they came out, but I said no friggin' way with that lousy mileage. She was driving 100 miles a day to work, and it would have put us in the poor house. So...

Hi everyone. I'm looking to get some info on trailer towing. I've perused all the past posts and just want to summarize what I'm trying to do and see if anyone has some comments. 1) Vehicle is a 2K2 Jetta TDI wagon 5spd. 2) I plan to install a Curt Mfg. Class 1 hitch. (similar/identical to...

Interesting article in Lubes and Greases magazine. Not really anything we don't already know, but the author is mistaken about the 2004 TDI engine being the same as previous models. Nevertheless, it seems VW is not playing nice about the issue. Chris VW violates Magnuson-Moss

Saw this on the USAToday site. Not much we didn't already know here. However, it's annoying that hybrids keep being touted as the 'solution' to our oil problems when in fact they are pretty much a farce. I'll keep drivin' my TDI and getting 50 mpg. Chris Hybrids not making mileage claims