jeffm@sri-unix (11/10/82)
I have a '79 Rabbit which has a number of virtues I shall not go
into, and a drawback which is the subject of this note. Compared
to my '77 Rabbit, it's rather boring to drive. Part of that is
the extra horsepower from the extra displacement ('77 has 1600cc
engine, '79 has ~1450cc), part of it is because the '77 rides
a little lower and a little stiffer. I'd considered fitting
shorter springs but the suspension travel of the '79 does have
it's merits. What really bothered me was the body lean, and
that's relatively easy to fix with an anti-sway bar. And it
just so happened that GMP Inc., P.O. Box 240008, Charlotte, N.C.,
28224 (800-438-5074) was having a sale on front and rear sway
bar kits ($80 + $10 shipping to west coast).
I'd installed a sway bar kit many years ago on my BMW 1600.
The installation then was a snap and the handling improvement was
marvelous, and even the fact that I was told I would have to
"drill a few holes" for the rabbit installation didn't bother me much.
When the kit arrived I checked all the hardware and came up
2 pieces missing and 6 pieces extra. This is not my idea of
a good kit. Turning to the directions I see that step 2 tells me
that I need to buy 2 bolts for pre '80 installations. Oh well,
since I have to go to the hardware store anyway to buy the missing
2 pieces (nut and washer) I might as well pick up the bolts.
I also pick up 2 car ramps for $20. I'm now in for $110 and
having passed the century mark has triggered renewed enquiries
from my wife concerning the wisdom of the expenditure. I try
the phrase "Don't Panic" on her but she obviously needs something
that appeals more to her reason. "You'll love it" seems to buy
me a little time. I quickly scan the directions, noting with
the ease with which the writer introduces task after task,
"relocate the fuel catch tank", "relocate the horn".
Has the writer ever looked in the engine compartment of a Rabbit?
Where's the real estate for this relocation I ask.
Next Episode..... THE INSTALLATION