A Volkswagen Westfalia Camper Van Blog – VW Bus

Reading my list of "priority" issues with the bus makes me feel a little naive since my appointment at Glenn's!

I took Lucy in yesterday and asked for a full review of the vehicle and an estimate to resolve my "priorities" and get her into good restored condition. The final report was 2 pages long and totaled $4497.02–just a little more than the $1000 I had earmarked!

The brakes are certainly the biggest priority. In addition to a non-functional emergency brake and leaky seals on the back brakes, Lucy needs:

• new rear brake shoes and drums
• new rear wheel cylinders and system bled
• new rear brake cables
• new front brake pads and rotors, pack wheel bearings 
• new front calipers

The current front calipers are completely seized. Noel at Glenn's almost burned his hand removing the hubcaps because they were so hot from the caliper friction! 

Needless to say, I went ahead and authorized the brake job. The total cost will come to around $1400, parts and labor. I should be able to pick her up tomorrow afternoon.

The next job will be to upgrade the exhaust system, including a new muffler and heater box. That will come to around $800. At that point, I'll have invested $2200 into Lucy's mechanical restoration–halfway there! 

Some of the other things she needs:

• new ball joints (about $600)
• new engine seal
• strap main wiring harness to frame
• new tires, balance tires
• remove axles, disassemble CV joints (clean, inspect, re-pack or replace CV boots)
• replace front and rear shift linkage brushings and cage

There's also some of my original issues remaining: 

• fix gas gauge
• fix passenger side seatbelt
• fix rear light wiring
• replace burned out passenger side headlight ("eyelids" may or may not fit–apparently, they can be problematic, especially the knock-offs)
• all-new locks
• install tape deck and speakers (Unfortunately, this has been moved to the bottom of the list!)

So, we're looking at a process here, a long term investment in Lucy. I'm up for it!

The good news is that Noel and Sean at Glenn's gave Lucy a big thumbs up for the condition of the body. They said she's "very clean" and appreciating in value every day. Once these mechanical restorations are complete, she'll be an extremely fetching Westy!