First was cleaning this out. Wasn't actually too grubby. It needs a good clean, dry and paint though. No point treating it in the weather, so it'll have to be a summer job in the future.
Next was ripping this foam out both sides. Apparently VW put this infernal thing in even the 2013+ Mk7 Golfs too.
For those that don't know, this rubs on the inside of the wheel arch and causes the rusty arches you often see on a Golf Mk5. I'm sure there is a good reason it's there but not good enough to make a car last.
(This is the worst side. The other is actually pretty much alright)
Next was inspecting the Diverter Valve. Basically this thing helps control boost. They're a known weak point and often end up failing. When they do, you loose all boost. They've been through several different designs through the years.
It's attached to the side of the turbo on the 200bhp TFSI engine with the K03 turbo. Not the easiest to get to tbh. I seem to remember it was easier on the TT MK2 I had. Might go look at old photos to see access.
Anyway you have to look above the tie rod boot.
3 hex headed bolts. Two you can see here and another hidden.
Was a bit of a fight as they were pretty tight and I kept loosing my 5mm hex bit out of the ratchet. But it came out eventually.
This looks to me I think is the latest design as there is no rubber diaphragm in this. Definitely been replaced before as none of the original factory items are likely to ever last these amount of miles without failure. Nice to see it's a Pierberg (OE manufacture of these) rather than some garbage unbranded Chinese junk.
Also found a aluminium covered electronic unit in the wheel arch. Riveted at the bottom and then a plastic clip at the top. It was loose at the top so no doubt a source of a rattle.
My assumption was that this is the alarm siren. Ripping it out said that assumption was correct! I usually remove alarm sirens on older cars where I can. No one reacts to the damn things apart from anger when they go wrong at 4am in the morning. There is no error code on this one so it probably still works but I don't trust it. I always say on my insurance that a car has an immobiliser but no alarm, so there should be no issue there.
Finally had this mess to clear up.
Then drop onto four wheels again. Hopefully I'll get time tomorrow to turn it around and get the rear arms done.
My suspicion they might be a right ball ache, even if I cut them out. Not sure if a 115mm cutting disc is even big enough to just chop the bolt right at the bush sleeve or not. Hopefully it is then it should be quite quick. The bolt on the wheel side should hopefully either come out or just snap with an impact.
Even there is only two bolts on each side to deal with, I think there is a good chance it might be hours of fighting. Also I don't know how likely it'll be for me to easily mark up the position of the old arms. So the toe might be completely out. I'll do it by eye to see what looks right, so I can at least get it good enough to safely drive to the place that does the alignment.
Newer than the Jizz too.
