1984 Rebuild

[84Vert]

Quick update. I hope to make space for the Rabbit this weekend and maybe bring it home next weekend

[84Vert]

Can't believe it has been so long since I have posted, and even longer since I have worked on the Rabbit. We have moved a couple of times and numerous other issues but it looks like I will be starting back on the Rabbit soon! And yes it is still stuck in reverse:(

Hopefully more updates soon

[Briano1234]

You can jack the car up on the drivers side and check the reverse shift lock finger, or pop the linkages off and try rocking and manually moving the
shifters.

[84Vert]

Good idea Brian, thanks

[84Vert]

Well it has been a while since I have posted. The poor Rabbit has sat neglected for about 3 years now but not much longer! Since I have no idea when I will be able to work on it again I had it towed to a mechanic to get the transmission fixed and get it going for me! So hopefully not much longer I will post pictures it it actually driving down the road:)

[84Vert]

Talked to the shop yesterday, ordered new clutch, flywheel and cable, new pictures coming soon, one day (hopefully soon) it will be on the road first time in about 15 years

[Briano1234]

When removing the Exhaust, Remove the o2 sensor, then spray the bolts with never-seize every day, then 20 minutes prior to removing, use a 6pt 12mm IIRC and an air impact, that worked for me the last time and for the studs that came out instead of the nuts, I went back with Hex Headed (1/4 drive) Studs and never seize.....
The Studs are Stock on a Saturn SL1 The 1/4 drive made it east to install and get tight.
like this:


They are m8X30 pn N 0444115
nuts are N 90085001 copper, again m8, napa used to sell copper nuts in a pickanut drawer.

[84Vert]

Went by the shop, transmission is going back it the car. Found out what caused it to be stuck in reverse. The plastic gears on the speedo cable had broken and fallen in there, simple fix, new speedo cable. They hope to have it running this week!

[Briano1234]

That same issue is shown at Brokevw.com.... Some times the plastic gets chewed without issues other times like you found out, can cause issues as well.

[84Vert]

True Brian, plastic parts ugh! Stopped by the shop yesterday and the Rabbit is running! Soon it will be the first time in 15 years that it will be on the road. The wife/boss is getting excited

[84Vert]

New update. Boy things happen a lot faster when you are paying someone to fix it. Took the master cylinder by today, mechanic said it will be parked at my house before Christmas, that will make the wife happy, except then I have to start on it again:)

[84Vert]

Still not parked at my house yet, master cylinder installed, new front brake hoses installed, rear brake hoses will be in tomorrow. I say brakes are for sissy's that is why there are trees

[84Vert]

Update - got a call from the mechanic yesterday the brakes are done! Will go by tonight, who knows if I am lucky we may drive it home:)

[84Vert]

Update the Rabbit is back home! I drover it from the shop to the house, about 3 miles, that is the farthest the Rabbit has been driven in about 16 years! Still has some issues, brakes are there but not much, shifting linkage needs to be adjusted and greased (only was able to get it into 1st once on the way home), but it is running pretty good and successfully made it home under it's own power!

[Briano1234]

Getting it in first is usually at a total stop, after moving it from second to first.

Congrad's on the drive..... Could be they still have residual air and will need to be re-bleed. Could also be the free-play adjustment on the MC.
Also check for vacuum leaks on the booster.