Great. 

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa) 01/04/2019 at 17:30 • Filed to: None

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I locked my car at the gym this morning and heard a snap, something fall inside the door, and felt the lock cylinder turning freely. Great. Cool. Awesome. When I got home, I pull ed the door card to see what fell.

No surprise, shit’s broken. Note the little hook bit that’s missing from the springless one.

I went over to the junk yard (only like a 15 minute drive, I’ve been there twice since I’ve been home from school) and pulled the same part off a 98 TDI. I also pulled off two black window cranks and mirror adjuster knobs so I can change the color to suit my mood. I should have gotten two more for the back seats but forgot to. Oh well, I don’t go back there often.

I trimmed back the remains of the vapor shield (that’s what VW calls it) so I could poke around more effectively . Weight reduction, bro.

Then I started pulling the handle off to pull the replacement on, and either because the mechanism was in the lock position or because I’m inept, more br ittle metal bits broke. Cool.

I also found parts for three other locks that had fallen inside the door . I guess this has happened before.

I said fuck it and put it all back together. I’m going to order a new handle/lock/key assembly from 1A Auto. Should be here the 14th. Until then, I can lock the car from the passenger side lock like I used to do, but this sometimes doesn’t disarm   the security system, which then starts honking the horn when I try to start the car. I’ve only ever disarmed it by putting the key in the driver’s side lock. I might be able to disarm it with either the passenger’s side lock or the hatch lock (which was broken when I got the car), but I don’t feel like experimenting to find out.

I like the new 20 year old trim bits better than the 22 year old ones at least.

Fun fact: Mk3 VWs had optional central locking, as this one does. Instead of a system with electric motors like modern cars, the entire system is pump driven. There are pneumatic (or hydraulic, I hope to never have to find out ) lines running to all four doors and the hatch. The pump is located in the trunk area right next to the rear passenger headlight.

M.T. Blake > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 17:40

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If this were a Jeep you’d remove the door and call it a day. 

vicali > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 17:42

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I miss the old HmmWrrrr -click of my mk3 ‘power’ locks.. they are vacuum btw.

I don’t miss swapping door handles every winter though.. I thought going to a mk2 would fix it but they break just as often. You get good at swapping the cores out of the key tumbler though.

Hitting unlock on the dash should stop the alarm as well.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > M.T. Blake 01/04/2019 at 17:43

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Yes but if this were a Jeep I wouldn’t be able to take sharp corners at 45 mph w ithout tipping. Not that I do that, that would be dangerous, illegal, and irresponsible. Not to mention incredibly antisocial. 

M.T. Blake > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 17:45

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And if you tried to do it in a Jeep, some would say it could be suicidal. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > vicali 01/04/2019 at 17:45

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Shit, this is gonna happen every winter? Oh well, it’s just one torx bolt.

Are you sure on the alarm? That seems kind of counter intuitive to a security system. Break into a car, unlock it with a dash button to stop the alarm. 

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 17:49

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Instead of a system with electric motors like modern cars, the entire system is pump driven. There are pneumatic

Mercedes Benz used electric over vacuum in the ‘70s-early ‘2000s . That would be my guess here.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > M.T. Blake 01/04/2019 at 17:53

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If you try it in a 22 year old econobox, some would say it is  suicidal.

vicali > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 17:54

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Pretty sure, I remember hitting it while climbing over from the passenger side while the horn beeped..

I also broke all the clips around the shifter in the cold. The whole section of console would pop loose in anything colder than -20c.

Counter intuitive? like building a german car in mexico? Yep, sounds like a mk3 to me..

Here was mine;

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/04/2019 at 17:55

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It’s vaccuum driven. I’m glad there’s only one mechanism to fail here instead of one per door, as power windows in these cars didn’t have the best track record for not breaking all the time.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > vicali 01/04/2019 at 18:00

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Hm. Very VW way of doing that.

Yup, German cars made in Mexico with Czech engines. I love the badge delete on your front clip- I got an ebay grille with no badge and left it as back plastic to match the replacement hood- all the tabs holding the original green one were snapped and it was held on with zip ties.

vicali > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:10

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Do you have a short shifter yet? It was my favourite vw mod. cheap, easy to install, and made for sweet shifting. you should already have the weighted link. All you need is a Kamei golf ball knob and a pipe cutter to shorten the stick. .

https://www.urotuning.com/Short-Shift-Kit-Mk3-2-0L-p/mk3_short_shift_kit.htm

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:11

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I first saw this and thought, “This sounds like VW.”

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/04/2019 at 18:13

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Every time it breaks I think of this

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > vicali 01/04/2019 at 18:16

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I thought about it, but I don't want to mess around with it if I don't have to for the time being. When it isn't my only car, I intend to mod it to within an inch of its life, but for now, I want it to remain stock and reliable ish. I also kind of like the foot long throws. My brother's 2017 Jetta has super short throws, and I'm not a huge fan. 

Urambo Tauro > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:24

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Jeez how long is the new one gonna last? At this rate...

Just Jeepin' > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:31

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I took a surprisingly sharp turn at a surprisingly high speed recently in my LJ. I don’t recommend it, but it’s not necessarily fatal.

Of course, a SWB Wrangler might not have been so lucky. Wasn’t my smartest maneuver.

vicali > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:31

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First hole is 30% reduction in throw, second hole is 10%. You can put it in with a 13mm wrench and a screwdriver. Super easy.

The other things that made my Jetta fun were the HR Cupkit and the 28mm RSB.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Just Jeepin' 01/04/2019 at 18:36

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How fast is “surprisingly high speed” in your LJ? I’ve exited a 90 d egree turn with no bank at about 40 without lifting a wheel. Scared the shit out of me. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Urambo Tauro 01/04/2019 at 18:37

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Three locks, 22 year old car, math says a bit past 7 years for the new one. So junkyard status. 

Rainbow > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:37

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Someone in my Kia group on Facebook ( don’t judge me!) had her handle come off in her hand the other day. So... it could be worse.

Just Jeepin' > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:38

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I honestly don’t remember. I was too surprised at myself to want to go back and review my stupidity.

Probably nothing comparable to what any rational vehicle can handle.

Urambo Tauro > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:43

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Well, who knows. Maybe during one of the previous lock replacements, somebody cleaned up all the broken bits, which means that you only have evidence of the most recent one s...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > vicali 01/04/2019 at 18:44

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Ooh, those would be nice. My plan is to do four wheel discs (drums wig me out, but they lock up nicely when I use the hand brake), then b eefier sway bars. Right now I’m satisfied with the suspension I have, which is OEM spec quick struts in the front and Ford Ranger springs in the back with who cares what shock. It had GTI struts in front when I bo ught it, but a shock failed and I had both replaced. It’s at abou t stock ride height now, but I’d lik e to drop it two or three inches. I don't really want to bash it around on shitty Ohio streets, though. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Rainbow 01/04/2019 at 18:45

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Oof. Did you ever find that tow hook license plate mount?

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Urambo Tauro 01/04/2019 at 18:48

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I'm going to guess they fail more often in cold environments. This car used to be in Texas, but moved to Ohio in 2012 or 2013 (last Texas registry is 2012, by the sticker I can't get off the window). So, if it was here in 2013, and that's when the lock failed the first time, that's 5 years 3 locks. Let's call it a year and a half per lock. Also the last guy who had it never locked it, so let's just say yeah, they'll be replaced annually. 

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:49

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classic VAG problem heh

vicali > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 18:50

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Mine was a GT so it had VR6 bits like discs all around and smoked tails, but only had the 2slow.

If you don’t want to bash it around don’t get the cupkit. Fr 2.0in/R 1.7in lower. The VR6 lip up front gave me a warning if I was going to goon the oilpan or not- any speed over walking and it was a goner..

I ended up putting HR sport spring on the next mk2 and it was way more enjoyable than driving this one.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > vicali 01/04/2019 at 18:54

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I want the discs to make it less scary in t he rain. Right now, with all seasons, if the roads are damp, it locks up way too easily for my confort. I’d like some stiffer and lower suspension plus a skid plate so I can rallycross it into valhalla. 

Rainbow > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/04/2019 at 19:01

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Yep! Its coming on Monday, so hopefully it fits right.

NojustNo > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 01/06/2019 at 19:36

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You shouldnt remove the vapor shield - it keep moisture off the door cards and cold air from getting into the cabin.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > NojustNo 01/06/2019 at 19:57

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It was already pretty cut up- the pic doesn’t do justice to how torn it was.