Re-using original VW parts in a build for sale.

I was wondering how far you folks, who build car for short term ownership/for sale, go in re-using the bits and pieces from the original VW's?

Like with the brakes/suspension, say. Obviously the wheel cylinders. shoes, star adjusters and springs are going to be replaced with new, but what about the drums and backing plates? Buy new or good used and refurbish the plates and have the drums turned?

And the suspension/steering? New tie rod ends and ball joints of course, but re-use the tie rods and trailing arms if they're good? New box, or original if it's tight?

In other words, do you just trash everything and buy new hoping that the replacements are as good as the original German. I know that they always LOOK good, but sometimes the stuff out of the third world just doesn't perform.

Or, keep the German hard parts and refurbish them as necessary?

I'm asking because of this SC Coupe project. Using VW suspension/brake parts front and rear is really proving to be a dream. Since it's sort of a Prototype to show and sell in order to raise the $$ to get started producing more, I want to be certain that I'm doing what's expected in this kind of situation. A handful of the bits and pieces are having to be altered and adjusted, so using the originals as a beginning seems like the smart thing to do, but if folks are expecting gloss black Brazilian after market, I'd like to know that first.

Any help, tips, direction, what-not, would REALLY be appreciated.

Thanks ! ! !

TC

trashin everything would be a bad idea. OEM German quality is far superior to Chinese crap.

I've used lots of things from a beetle, but all wear items have been replaced or rebuilt.

TC: I thought you had been through all this before?!?!?

Anyway, since I'm just starting the build routine, once again, here you go:

first rule of thumb: "If it wears and is renewable, get it spiffed to like new. If it isn't renewable, get a new one."

Like with the brakes/suspension, say. Obviously the wheel cylinders. shoes, star adjusters and springs are going to be replaced with new, but what about the drums and backing plates? Look at what you've got and decide what you want to keep. As you state; trash the innerds (actuators, springs, shoes) and have the drums and rotors turned. I did not replace my donor wheel cylinders and they've been fine. Too often, just trying to get them off will cause more damage than it's worth.

And the suspension/steering? New tie rod ends and ball joints of course, but re-use the tie rods and trailing arms if they're good?
Of course...Why not? You can see easily if they're bent. Besides, having just looked for new trailing arms, there is currently NO company, that I found, making high quality, cost effective ones anywhere.

New box, or original if it's tight? If the old one's tight, use it. If it has lots of play which can't be adjusted out, get a new one.

In other words, do you just trash everything and buy new hoping that the replacements are as good as the original German. New, aftermarket stuff is seldom as good as German with a few exceptions (like Berg). In the end, you get what you pay for....

I'm asking because of this SC Coupe project. Using VW suspension/brake parts front and rear is really proving to be a dream. Since it's sort of a Prototype to show and sell in order to raise the $$ to get started producing more, I want to be certain that I'm doing what's expected in this kind of situation. A handful of the bits and pieces are having to be altered and adjusted, so using the originals as a beginning seems like the smart thing to do, but if folks are expecting gloss black Brazilian after market, I'd like to know that first.

If you're building for re-sale, then customers will expect all new or refurbished parts. Wouldn't you? The way to get around that would be (IMO) to outline what parts are used, why some have been re-used and what was done to make them "Equivalent to New".

BTW: Most Mainframe-class computer companies sell "New or Equivalent to New" equipment, meaning that some of the parts inside might have been refurbished but you'll get the same warranty on the equipment whether it's really new or refurbished. In that instance, the customers don't really care if the stuff is used or not, as long as they have a "new" warranty on it.

gn

Oh, hey...how's the hard drive data?

Gordon, thanks for the common sense reply. I was hoping that what I've been doing was the right way to proceed, but I wasn't sure.

You read brochures or internet site copy and it makes it seem like the cars have been completely re-manufactured from the rubber up. The sort of advertising copy that reads:

"We use ALL NEW parts in our build! Why trust a 40 year old part to last another ten when brand new parts are available."

"Service and safety are are first priorities, should they be yours?"

I've always kinda snickered at restorers just sand blasting and painting a suspension component and claiming that it had been "restored to as-new condition" . . . but now I'm in the same situation and just needed some re-assurance that I wasn't taking the easy/cheap way out.

You know?

Thanks ! ! !

"When in doubt, throw it out" Best to start with the bare bones chassis refurbishing everything. It doesn't break the budget and provides peace of mind and most importantly the safety factor. ~Alan

i think the main point is that most after market stuff you'd be replacing with is actually inferior to the German original stuff.

engine parts are a good example. I'd never build a whole car with a blanket statement like "replace everything". I'm a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff - but sometimes that is money poorly spent on poor products.