Mk1 Diesel - couple of problems

[Brom]

I disconnected the vac hose at the servo and was definately getting some suction, though i have no idea how strong it should be.
Also with the caliper seals, would that be if they were leaking now? the only fluid coming out from underneath was a bit of diesel from a loose pipe fitting on the inlet hose which ive now fixed.

thanks for the advice

[jets]

My calipers weren't leaking, just sticking. New seals & cleaning pistons fixed that problem. A split diaphragm is a very common problem. This is the most likely cause of high pedal pressure.

[Brom]

Cheers. I'm going to have a look at a wrecked diesel this weekend and grab some parts. May end up taking the entire brake setup to save any hassles.

[dalderton]

Brom Funny about that noise,I have a 1980 GLD and it sounds like a jet engine winding up from about 75 kph which decreases somewhat when it gets over 90kph. It is not engine as when I put it out of gear at 80kph the noise does not alter. I have also thought that it may be in the transmission/diff but it has not got any worse since I got the car a couple of thousand k ago. If anyone susses it out I would be interested to hear what it is. Regards Dennis

[Brom]

That definately sounds the same. I've tried rolling down steep hills, both in and out of gear with the engine off so i can here. And still theres a loud grinding/whirling. I think part of it was that the brakes were so badly alligned, but theres something else and i dont think its just wheel bearings. And your right, it does seem to go away, for me at about 110km/h.

I know the beetles were known for winds in the gearbox, and maybe this is the same, though it seems far more intense. Hopefully it wouldn't affect it passing rego.

[dalderton]

Brom It is hard to figure,mine sounds very much like a wind noise or an overgeared fan but it hardly ever gets up to the temp that cuts the fan in.You would think if it was transmission noise it would vary when under load or on the overrun or coasting but there is no variation of the noise in those conditions.Anyway I got hold of a spare motor/trans unit today to do up and put in so when I get that done I will probably change the trans and the motor and see if it makes any difference. Regards Dennis

[gldgti]

i have experienced a bit of diff whine in the golf gearbox 4 and 5 speeds, 020 code, caused by excessive driveshaft inward pressure on one of the drive falnges - it seems to put something out of place, which then only stops if you drive really fast (110) or stop, roll backwards a bit, then start off again.

an old floppy overstrained chassis can be the cause, along with many other things - i fixed it on my cars by installing a lower stress bar so that the front chassis is stiffer and therefore doesnt allow the wheel/driveshaft assembly to move under cornering...

only ever had this problem on the left side. it could also be caused by a bunch of stuffed engine mounts allowing the engine/gearbox assembly to slump over during cornering.

[dalderton]

Brom Today I spoke to my tame long term VW man and he said that my noise sounds like a knackered front wheel bearing from my description and suggested that I block the rear wheels and securely get one front wheel off the ground and start the motor,put it in second gear and give it a rev then switch off and check the noise. Repeat the sequence with the other front wheel and compare. Sure enough the RH front made much more noise than the LH one. Q.E.D. So a I will get a RH front carrier off a parts source and hopefully all will be well.
Incidentally from the same source I just obtained what has turned out to be an almost new engine that the owner had fitted just before he retired the car.It has no engine number as he bought it new from his dealer.I pulled it apart and it is mint. $200.00 with all accessories and the transmission. Put it in my nil rust 1980 4dr and it should last longer than me. Regards Dennis

[dalderton]

Further to the above post I removed the RH hub carrier and indeed the bearing was dry and pitted,hence the noise. Regards Dennis

[Brom]

Thanks for the info. I tried the same and theres definately more noise in the left front so i'll try and swap the bearings on the weekend. Though i'm still not convinved theres not another cause on my car.

I went and picked up a brake booster and master cylinder off a wreck today so hopefully that will sort most of the brake issues.