What did you do to your MKIV today?

[Judson]

So I am running Koni special actives with stock springs. The springs are allowing front end lift on acceleration. What would be a good set of springs to buy that would maintain the stock ride height and also improve control over bumps. Do not want increased harshness over bumps. I think a high quality spring would do the trick. Obviously I want to minimize dip and dive.

TIA! Jud

 

[Rrusse11]

You could try a set of these;

Beef on a Budget Lift Spring Set (A4)

Named after the Beef on a Budget TDIClub thread, this set of MOOG springs imitates the OEM VR6 Front and Jetta Wagon rear springs. This combination works very well for Jetta Sedan and especia...

www.idparts.com

The special actives should smooth out the bumps. Maybe just try the fronts first.

 

[JDSwan87]

Brothers 99.5 (Compu_85's old car)...
He had a dragging rear caliper. I dis-assembled both rear brake assemblies. Both arms move freely, all slide pins are nice and smooth, both cables slide in/out fine, and all 4 pads sit nicely on their stamped slides. I'm at a loss and don't want to start throwing someone else's money away. Also trouble shot his HID retrofits, he has a blown HID bulb. Hoping TheRetrofitSource sends me a coupon since I conveniently left it in my cart.

 

[03TDICommuter]

So I am running Koni special actives with stock springs. The springs are allowing front end lift on acceleration. What would be a good set of springs to buy that would maintain the stock ride height and also improve control over bumps. Do not want increased harshness over bumps. I think a high quality spring would do the trick. Obviously I want to minimize dip and dive.

TIA! Jud

Did it not lift the front end before the Konis were added? FWIW, I don't think you have a spring problem, my 2003 Jetta would do the same thing and I attributed it to engine torque and angle of the halfshafts.

 

[snakeye]

Brothers 99.5 (Compu_85's old car)...
He had a dragging rear caliper. I dis-assembled both rear brake assemblies. Both arms move freely, all slide pins are nice and smooth, both cables slide in/out fine, and all 4 pads sit nicely on their stamped slides. I'm at a loss and don't want to start throwing someone else's money away. Also trouble shot his HID retrofits, he has a blown HID bulb. Hoping TheRetrofitSource sends me a coupon since I conveniently left it in my cart.

Did you remove the pistons to see whether they were rusted?

 

[JDSwan87]

Did you remove the pistons to see whether they were rusted?

I did not. If anything, I would just install new TRW calipers from IDPARTS. Are rusty pistons common in the rust belt Midwest?

 

[snakeye]

I did not. If anything, I would just install new TRW calipers from IDPARTS. Are rusty pistons common in the rust belt Midwest?

Not more than elsewhere. They problem is the handbrake mechanism which tends to seize, but sometimes the seal on the piston boot can break and let in moisture, which can corrode it. It's not hard to remove and clean. You can even buy a replacement piston if it ends up being that.

 

[Nero Morg]

Drove to Oregon City to look at yet another Ford IDI to fix my dad's truck. Got a hard maybe on one truck, beat up, but want to see it run. Needs a starter though. So I'll borrow the one out of his truck and check it out again tomorrow.
Fuel eco on the scangauge II was about 38.6mpg this time. Little bit more stop and go and only top speed of 65 a few times, mostly 55.

 

[GTD170]

Today i removed bird crap only happens when i wash my car......It's like they know or something.....Also

Purchased:
* Oil catch can kit
* Magnetic sump plug, oil and small service kit.
* 2micron fuel filter kit still looking

 

[Judson]

Did it not lift the front end before the Konis were added? FWIW, I don't think you have a spring problem, my 2003 Jetta would do the same thing and I attributed it to engine torque and angle of the halfshafts.

Went from Longbeaches to lightweight 16s and lost 8 lbs a wheel. Now all the torque instead of being used to turn the wheels is lifting the nose. Definitely an unexpected result!

 

[Zak99b5]

Ordered new monster mats, new belly pan hardware (was hanging on by one screw), and a wire repair piece to make my low beams stay on with the highs (I have separate high/low headlights).

Also finished up the wheel bearing r&r with my son on his B5 A4 Quattro. When he pressed in the hub, he used a large plate and wound up pulling the bearing apart a bit (I had already warned him about this). Did it again with the correct size plate, and it seems the bearing is all back together. I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t last that long, and we will keep an eye on it. One of the balls from his old wheel bearing was flat on one side, missing maybe 20% of its metal.

 

[Zak99b5]

Ordered the monster mats from urotuning. Didn't realize they added on some app-based tracking thing for $2.75. Ugh.

 

[GTD170]

Shame i forgot to take before pictures but here is my engine cover all renewed as its pouring it down and boredom kicked in on a sunday.
BTW.......Autoglym products are decent......I recommened

 

[Vwkaferman]

Speaking of wheels, I had to source a new (refurbished) Long Beach wheel. Folks out here in AZ don’t secure their loads. It’s not uncommon for ladders, mattresses, lazy boys and full on dressers to fall off and wreak havoc. So yeah, I think I ran over a 4x4 piece of wood. Destroyed driver front tire, bent rim. It was SO loud, rattled me for sure.

Anyways, weighed the replacement Longbeach on my un-scientific bathroom scale and it came in at ~24lbs. Man I love the way they look but now that little bug is in my head to get lighter wheels. BTW I weighed it because for the life of me I couldn’t find it anywhere online that has breakdowns of what these wheels weigh.

James

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Filled the Wagon today. Fix_Until_Broke was commenting that he took a fuel economy hit with Michelin Cross Climates, so I was interested to see what I'd get. It's still Winter here, several days started in the single digits during this fill, but I kept my speeds down a little compared to recent tanks, 75-80 on the highway instead of the 85-90 that's tempting these days.

743 miles, 15.85 gallons, 46.9 MPG. Not bad. I think the Cross Climates might show a small hit in FE, but I like them enough that it's OK with me.

I also heard an intermittent wheel bearing noise on my way home from Western MA this morning. I think it's the right front bearing. Jacked up the car and there's no play in the wheel hub, but I'll keep listening for it and probably just have it replaced soon. I think that bearing has been in the car for at least 6 years.

 

[Vwkaferman]

Got off my ace and installed the skid plate from IDparts. Hardest bolt to get in was the one for the bracket nearest the Intercooler. All others were a breeze. Also put in a vented fender liner on the passenger side. Forgot to grab a pic of that. While I was in there, oh yeah, you guys were right, a lot of built up on the rear of BOTH fender liners (did drivers side too since I was wrenching). Good day spent with the ole TDi.

James

 

[PakProtector]

Yeppers...fenders and rockers last a lot longer when that stuff gets cleaned out often. don't forget to pull the foam blocks out of the upper fender...
cheers,
Douglas

 

[csstevej]

I’ve notched about a 1” upside down “ v “ notch at the bottom to let water and debris fall out. Occasionally I’ll run a hose on the windshield cowl to flush out the area.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I like the Neon in the background.

 

[Vwkaferman]

Why pull the foam blocks (I didn't), is it another catch all for junk building up?

Thanks. neon is a 99' R/T. Bought it 6 years ago, had 74,000 miles on it. Now has I think around 104k miles. Mopar XX rate springs, Koni yellows, neon "trunk kit" wheels, Mopar ECU, Modern Performance UDP, Iceman cold air intake, Madog short throw shifter, and Thermal R&D exhaust. It's a blast to drive. Ain't the fastest out there especially when stock freaking Honda Accords and Hyundai's are easily low 14 second cars (my '94 Camaro Z28 was a low 14 second car LOL) but it's still fun and quick and handles like a go-cart.

James

 

[P2B]

Why pull the foam blocks (I didn't), is it another catch all for junk building up?

They retain moisture which leads to rust at the top of the fender arches.

The VW TSB says to cut 10mm off the end of the blocks, but most remove them entirely. They are intended to reduce NVH.

 

[csstevej]

Why pull the foam blocks (I didn't), is it another catch all for junk building up?

James

It rubs through the inside of the fenders paint and holds moister against it causing rust from the inside out on the fender arches.

 

[Zak99b5]

It rubs through the inside of the fenders paint and holds moister against it causing rust from the inside out on the fender arches.

They are not on the gassers, and therefore not really needed. Definitely remove them.

 

[Nuje]

While I was in there, oh yeah, you guys were right, a lot of built up on the rear of BOTH fender liners (did drivers side too since I was wrenching).

That wheel debris is shockingly "light". When I pull the liners on cars I'm working on, they're at least double that height, and so densely packed with crud that it's pretty much like clay - have to use a screwdriver to clean it out.

 

[csstevej]

Weather was warm here so decided to change all the shocks and struts in daughter s 03 NB before she starts her new job.
Replaced the backs with sachs from IDPARTS and installed new mounts…..old ones were definitely tired.
When to do front ones , also sachs struts and found both coil springs broken……back to IDPARTS and are overnighting the “ the beef on a budget “ springs….. new rh rear caliper and disk…..didn’t like the way the disk looks…..and I suspect the caliper is hanging up….don’t want the headache….just put new on.
So when they show up tomorrow……I get to reassemble the front end…..in the rain.
I love my kids…….I love my kids……I love my kids…….I love my kids…..the things I do for them……

 

[benmarks]

After a few years of searching, I finally found a convex driver's side auto-dimming mirror on eBay. I'd been stuck using a flat one which wasn't awesome. Ideally, I'd still like to find an aspherical auto-dimming mirror, but I've never seen one for sale new or used on any eBay or parts reseller even though I have the part number and I know they existed... at some point.

audi_convex_mirror.jpg

• benmarks
• Feb 22, 2022

 

[KrashDH]

After a few years of searching, I finally found a convex driver's side auto-dimming mirror on eBay. I'd been stuck using a flat one which wasn't awesome. Ideally, I'd still like to find an aspherical auto-dimming mirror, but I've never seen one for sale new or used on any eBay or parts reseller even though I have the part number and I know they existed... at some point.

audi_convex_mirror.jpg

• benmarks
• Feb 22, 2022

Nice find. I'd just like to get a set of the split convex mirrors at some point. The visibility is so poor out of the factory ones in my Golf since they are flat. Can't even see your wheel when you're trying to back into a space.

 

[kirktdi]

Same here. Looking for convex glass for drivers side (left side) Mk 4 Jetta

 

[Mozambiquer]

Same here. Looking for convex glass for drivers side (left side) Mk 4 Jetta

I lucked out and got a set for $30 from someone who had gotten a set but didn't like it.

 

[Elvez]

Removed my headliner and pillar covers:

Snagged some side skirts from the Pull and Save:

And installed a skid plate: