Restoration Work By
Steve's European Automotive
4920 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford MI, 48328
VW Short Bus
That said, it wasn't the most mechanically sound and trustworthy vehicle to drive. It "looked good"...but had been sorely neglected. I considered it a diamond in the rough...to put it mildly! I told the guys at Steve's I wanted them to repair the bus "as if your wife and kids were going to take it for a ride in the country".
Below is a list of repairs they recommended be done to the Short Bus to fulfill my request.
001: Dismantle and inspect rear axle tubes, spacers and bearing retainers to correctly adapt to rear brakes for proper operation. Replace outer axle shaft seals.
002: Replace rear brake shoes, brake spring kit, wheel cylinders, left rear wheel bearing cap & wheel seal.
003: Modify floor to gain clearance for the steering shaft.
004: Flush brake fluid system.
Inspect bleeder screw condition: advise
if any are seized or broken. Broken or seized bleeder screws will result
in additional labor charges. Loosen bleeder screws. Flush out old fluid.
Clean outside & inside of brake fluid reservoir. Inspect brake fluid
reservoir and cap condition. Fill with new fluid. Replace faulty or
missing bleeder caps. Wash off any residual fluid from engine
compartment. Clean any residual fluid from wheel area.
Torque lug bolts to ___foot pounds/newton meters(only if wheels are removed). Verify proper brake pedal quality.
005: Replace left rear outer axle shaft seal.
Remove parts required to gain access to the axle shaft. Remove
differential cover. Disconnect hardware that secures the axle shaft to
the differential. Remove the axle shaft from the axle housing. Remove
old seal. Inspect the condition of the seal to axle flange contact
surface for excessive or abnormal wear. Inspect bearings for looseness
or any abnormalities. Lubricate and install new seal. Reinstall parts
and torque hardware to manufacturer's specifications. Verify gear oil
type and top off differential as needed. Clean any residual oil from
axle and surrounding area.
Torque lug bolts to ___ foot pounds /NM (if wheels are removed).
006: Replace rear transmission saddle mounts and bracket.
007: Rebuild shift linkage complete and replace nose cone bushing.
Remove engine and transaxle from vehicle. Remove parts necessary to gain access to the shift linkage. Remove entire shift rod and all bushings. Clean and lubricate all contact surfaces. Clean shift shaft and lubricate. Install new bushings, coupler and reinstall shift rod. Reinstall engine and transaxle. Reconnect all wiring, fuel hose and miscellaneous vacuum hoses. Reconnect accelerator cable and verify wide open throttle. Adjust linkage and verify correct shift operation. Verify proper shift operation on the hoist. Perform road test.
008: Replace right rear outer axle shaft seal.
Remove parts required to gain access to the axle shaft. Remove differential cover. Disconnect hardware that secures the axle shaft to the differential. Remove the axle shaft from the axle housing. Remove old seal. Inspect the condition of the seal to axle flange contact surface for excessive or abnormal wear. Inspect bearings for looseness or any abnormalities. Lubricate and install new seal. Reinstall parts and torque hardware to manufacturer's specifications. Verify gear oil type and top off differential as needed. Clean any residual oil from axle and surrounding area.
Torque lug bolts to ___ foot pounds /NM (if wheels are removed).
009: Access brake master cylinder for brake service and bleed system.
010: Repair accelerator cable to correct angle.
011: Replace front trans mount.
012: Modify for application and replace both parking brake cables.
Disconnect parking brake cables from the rear brakes shoes and backing plate. Disconnect parking cables from the connection at front of vehicle. Remove old cables. Inspect the condition all securing hardware. Install new cables. Route and re-secure in proper location. Adjust cable to proper specifications. Work the parking brake mechanism to verify proper operation.
013: Replace left side tie rod assembly.
Remove old tie rod assembly. Inspect boot and advise. Install new tie rod assembly. Torque tie rod adjusting nut and tie rod lock nut to manufactures specifications.
Torque lug bolts to ___Ft lbs/NM (if required).
014: Replace right side tie rod assembly.
Remove old tie rod assembly. Inspect boot and advise. Install new tie rod assembly. Torque tie rod adjusting nut and tie rod lock nut to manufactures specifications.
Torque lug bolts to ___Ft lbs/NM (if required).
015: Perform front end alignment and rear thrust angle measurement
.Note: on certain vehicles the rear suspension may be adjustable. If we find that the rear alignment is out of specifications, we will recommend a four wheel alignment at that poin
Customer States: Perform wheel alignment due to: specific symptom - customer request, maintenance or steering and suspension repair. Road test vehicle to verify correct steering wheel position and vehicle alignment.
016: Replace ignition cap and rotor.
017: Perform valve adjustment.
Confirm that the engine is at room temperature before proceeding with valve adjustment. Remove valve covers and adjust valves. Replace any damaged adjusting screws and nuts. Clean valve covers and sealing surfaces. Reinstall covers, run engine and inspect for leaks.
018: Perform 3,000 mile oil change service.
Drain oil, remove drain plate and inspect screen. Replace screen if necessary. Wash parts & reinstall with new gasket kit. Add required amount of oil. Run engine and visually inspect compartment area and underside of engine for leaks.
019: Lube front axle beam (if applicable). Inspect condition of all rubber boots on steering and suspension components. Check automatic transmission fluid level & condition (if applicable). Inspect brake fluid level and condition. Top off windshield washer fluid level.
020: Replace rear hatch latch assembly.
Remove door panel trim and hardware necessary to gain access to latch assembly. Disconnect all switches and other components required to remove panel. Remove latch hardware. If needed, disconnect window regulator and motor from door. Inspect door jam wiring harness condition and advise if any wiring needs to be repaired. Lube window regulator cables if applicable. Install replacement latch assembly, reconnect electrically (if required) and confirm
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