Dear Dale - =
Specifically:
CV joint/boot kit =
(Lobro, OE maker):
251 598 101, around $75 each (includes joint, boot, retainer, bolts and
"schnoor" washers) (4 per vehicle)
Upper ball joint: 251 =
407 361, around
$38 ea.. (2 per vehicle)
Lower ball joint: 251 =
407
187,
" " " (2 per =
vehicle)
Upper control arm =
bushings: 251 407
077, $25 ea. (4 per vehicle)
Coil springs: are =
normally only
available new from the dealer - you don't even WANT to know how much =
they cost
unless you are fabulously wealthy and love your van DEEPLY... =
Stabilizer bar: can be =
had from a
used parts emporium (AKA junkyard) for $10-$50 depending on the =
proprietor.
Stabilizer bushings: =
are also a
dealer part, don't remember the cost or number (rarely used). =
Generally:
Calling the dealer for =
part
numbers usually works OK, if you can accurately describe the part. =
VW parts
departments are really rather stone-age when it comes to their catalogue =
technology. They still rely on VERY poor quality diagrams on micro-fiche =
film.
Be patient with them... Best thing, if you know what the part looks like =
and
where on the vehicle it lives, is to go to the dealership and let them =
show you
the fiche, so you can point to the part with your own finger (or pencil, =
better
yet).
HOT FLASH, BY THE WAY: =
According to
the beleaguered and overworked parts people at Sonnen VW in Marin =
County, CA, VW
is working on a digital parts system and will soon be implementing same! =
This is
very good news for those of us who engage in lengthy phone conversations =
trying
to describe some itty-bitty for-want-of-a-nail type part that the van =
won't run
without and isn't available anywhere else. Japanese and American car
manufacturers have had this type of system in place for at least three =
years
now, and I am constantly annoyed with the luddites von der Vaterland for =
dragging their heels so stubbornly. But then the Germans have always =
been a bit
laggard in the digital age. Except that the VW D-jet injection system =
was pretty
much the FIRST production electronic (computer controlled) fuel delivery =
system... Odd, that...
They - VW San Rafael - =
offered me
their fiche readers and old fiches when this happens. Of course, at that =
point,
we should be able to get a CD with all the info on it - much =
better than
a clunky old fiche reader. But this may be beyond the scope of what =
they
have in mind. MY vote would be for the DIAL system I use for ordering =
from
WorldPac (probably the largest supplier of OE and OEQ parts outside VW - =
unfortunately they only sell to distributors and jobbers), wherein I can =
look up
and order everything online, look at photos of the parts, not have to =
wait on
hold...
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing =
List [mailto:Vanagon]On =
Behalf
Of
Dale
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2000 7:33 PM
To:
vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Getting parts =
numbers
Can
anyone tell me how to go about finding the part numbers I need?
I =
have an '84
Westy and am going to be looking for a bunch of parts.
Basically I am =
putting
a new engine, and possibly rear cv's. Then I am
going to work =
on the
front end and I need driver side upper ball joint,
possibly lower =
ball joint,
coil spring, and possibly a stabilizer bar. I
know this won't =
be
everything, but if I can first do some price comparisons
from some of =
the
list dealers I can then decide which project to begin with,
or have =
the vw
mechanic (non-dealership) do this. He will let me purchase
the =
parts
and then put them on. I have a Bentley, but don't see anywhere
where =
there
are listed #'s for the parts. Do I just need to get =
this
information
from the mechanic or is there an easier way. I would like =
to
know
before signing a blank check to the mechanic.
TIA
Dale
'84
Westy