I don't want to start a argument but..what is the best shop manual to buy, and who has it ? I bought a CMC flaired on a 70 pan. Needs lots of work.
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I don't want to start a argument but..what is the best shop manual to buy, and who has it ? I bought a CMC flaired on a 70 pan. Needs lots of work.
Compared to the Haynes and Chiltons the Robert Bentley manuals are far better. If its just maintenance the Muir "How to Keep Your VW Alive" is fun reading. Amazon has them.
Better still, order either of the mentioned books through this website using the "library" tab at the top of your screen.
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I have both the Haynes and the Bentley book and have found it useful to refer to both of them on more than one occasion.
Often, one will have a diagram or photo, where the other does not, that shows exactly what I am looking for - for example, I am currently stripping down the pedal assembly because I want to replace the roller pedal with a flat accelerator pedal. The Bentley, gives a description of the process, but no diagram. Whereas the Haynes does not have as good a description, but does include an exploded diagram.
However, if you want to strip and rebuild the rear axles on an IRS then the Bentley has much more useful information, including an exploded diagram of the axle assembly.
It's a personal decision; based on how comfortable you are with the work, and how much you would use the manuals.
I did not intend to buy both manuals. But now that I have both, I am glad I have more than one reference.
If I had to mke a decision I would go with the Bentley, but that's my own choice.
Jim.
Often, one will have a diagram or photo, where the other does not, that shows exactly what I am looking for - for example, I am currently stripping down the pedal assembly because I want to replace the roller pedal with a flat accelerator pedal. The Bentley, gives a description of the process, but no diagram. Whereas the Haynes does not have as good a description, but does include an exploded diagram.
However, if you want to strip and rebuild the rear axles on an IRS then the Bentley has much more useful information, including an exploded diagram of the axle assembly.
It's a personal decision; based on how comfortable you are with the work, and how much you would use the manuals.
I did not intend to buy both manuals. But now that I have both, I am glad I have more than one reference.
If I had to mke a decision I would go with the Bentley, but that's my own choice.
Jim.
Muir's "How to Keep Your VW Alive" IS fun reading, not only does he explain how to do a certain proceedure but also clues you in before you screw it up, what not to do as well as tricks to making the job easy and successful...I still crack his book open from time to time.
I have always liked the Clymer books. Great photos and detailed drawings. There is one for maintenance and one for performance tuning. Clymer seems to have left the car maintenance biz.
Here are some used copies on ebay.
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7926267254&category=34234&sspagename=WDVW
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7926329679&category=34234&sspagename=WDVW
Here are some used copies on ebay.
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7926267254&category=34234&sspagename=WDVW
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7926329679&category=34234&sspagename=WDVW