life of strut bearings, alt belt?????

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- D_Freeman
  
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posted
20 years ago

Wed, Dec 31, 2003 6:24 PM

It's a long story, but it looks like the dealer did it to me again!

.. how long would you think an alternator belt will last --normally? 6-8 years/50k miles? What about Strut bushings? 30-40k? I noticed that my alt belt is looking really, really bad-it is rotten and frayed. Soon after noticing the tired alternator belt I was flipping through my glove box and found a invoice from the dealer from where I had my H&R springs and new struts installed in year 2000 -(9k miles ago). The invoice says a NEW alt belt and new strut bushings was installed. When my new tires were installed earlier this year the mechanic (not at the dealership) showed me how the front tires/wheels were loose when raised up and down (car was on the rack). The mechanic claimed that the car needs new strut bushings. Hmm? Who to believe??

Thoughts?

tia Lou

1989 Jetta GLI

- R
- Rex B
  
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posted
20 years ago

Wed, Dec 31, 2003 6:51 PM

|struts installed in year 2000 -(9k miles ago). The invoice says a NEW alt |belt and new strut bushings was installed. When my new tires were installed |earlier this year the mechanic (not at the dealership) showed me how the |front tires/wheels were loose when raised up and down (car was on the rack). |The mechanic claimed that the car needs new strut bushings. Hmm? Who to |believe??

1 - New struts are often replaced without changing the upper strut bearing 2 - You can't tell anything useful about suspension condition with the wheels at full droop

Rex in Fort Worth

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- Woodchuck
  
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posted
20 years ago

Wed, Dec 31, 2003 7:35 PM

You got screwed on the bearing caps as they all have up/down play when on the service rack! It's just how they are designed...and that's a common thing for mechanics who don't know VW's well. But if you already got them replaced then take it back and have him show you there is no play! But I bet he can't! As for the belt it really depends on the environmental conditions on how long they last.

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- Tim Wohlford
  
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posted
20 years ago

Thu, Jan 1, 2004 10:19 PM

My '89 has 246,000 miles (give or take) and still the original struts, bearings and springs (only the rear shocks have been replaced). Yes, I drive it "enthusiastically" on country roads. As has been pointed out, the "loose" deal only counts with full weight on the bearings. You were ripped off.

The belts, if you buy the good stuff, should last for 50,000 miles too. Get a good quality belt and replace them yourself, then keep a spare set in the trunk. If you pop a belt (which I did one day in a really awful rainstorm, where tons of water got into the belt on the Interstate) you'll have a spare.

Tim Wohlford '89 El Mexicano Golf