88 FOX GL questions

I have recently acquired a 88 fox (love it so far) and have had some
clanking/metal on metal sounds while cranking the wheel to its
farthest extent. Is or could this be the C-V Joints? Any ideas at all?
I'm sure it's not the suspention as it only makes this noise when I am
giving the wheels power
I can steer equally sharp with no ill effects while coasting.

Also I see tons and tons of info about dasher and audi fox exhaust
parts and techtonics/eurosport catback systems...What do you recomend
if you have tried either?

What did you do about airflow? Aside from a high flow K&N-like filter.
If you didnt do anything at all, how was back pressure? any obvious
ill effect?
I've read about drilling holes and such, however don't want to jump
into that without some more info.

I have also read a lot about break pad replacements, Mine squeek a bit
and are rather old, I would appreciate suggestions. I don't want
brakes that only grab when hot, I live in a very wet and, during this
season, very cold climate. Any ideas?

I can drive my car under 5000 rpms at all times if I must, Any reason
I should or should not remove my rev limiter?

And lastly...
I have tried to install a sterio and will likely wait to get a
chiltons for this...

But if anyone knows.... which wire is for what??

Thanks folks =D

Replies within

>From: (Loki)
>
>I have recently acquired a 88 fox (love it so far) and have had some
>clanking/metal on metal sounds while cranking the wheel to its
>farthest extent. Is or could this be the C-V Joints? Any ideas at all?
>I'm sure it's not the suspention as it only makes this noise when I am
>giving the wheels power
>I can steer equally sharp with no ill effects while coasting.

Yes check your CV Joints and your control arm bushings. Of course check
everything else too. :-)

>
> Also I see tons and tons of info about dasher and audi fox exhaust
>parts and techtonics/eurosport catback systems...What do you recomend
>if you have tried either?

I think that the exhaust has a restriction just after the cat. conv. So you
might want to at least get a replacement pipe that opens the exhaust up there.
Muffler shop can help you out.
The 1979 Fox supposedly has the dual outlet exhaust manifold that aids in more
exhaust flow out of the engine. You might need to relocate the Oxygen Sensor
if yours is on the exhaust manifold.
A larger Throttle Body may also aid in making your engine a better air pump
too.

>
>What did you do about airflow? Aside from a high flow K&N-like filter.
>If you didnt do anything at all, how was back pressure? any obvious
>ill effect?
>I've read about drilling holes and such, however don't want to jump
>into that without some more info.

I have heard about drilling holes in the bottom of the air cleaner box.
Creates more possible air flow to the engine but also makes things noisier, and
easier for water and rodents to enter.
The K&N filter might also allow more dirt to enter the engine also.
Bottom line is YES those mods should allow more air inside of engine.

>
>I have also read a lot about break pad replacements, Mine squeek a bit
>and are rather old, I would appreciate suggestions. I don't want
>brakes that only grab when hot, I live in a very wet and, during this
>season, very cold climate. Any ideas?

I've got some Repcos (MetalMasters IIRC) for the VW Fox I can sell you fairly
cheap if you are interested. I bought quite a few sets from a warehouse
clearing out stock.
I run this type on my Audi 4000S. They are decent. I think some like Mintex
but you have to watch the compounds since some might only work when they do get
hot and then might try to grab.

>
>I can drive my car under 5000 rpms at all times if I must, Any reason
>I should or should not remove my rev limiter?
>
>And lastly...
>I have tried to install a sterio and will likely wait to get a
>chiltons for this...
>
>But if anyone knows.... which wire is for what??
>

A Bentley manual will be better. Look on Ebay for one at a good price, or buy
one from Amazon.com. Chiltons or Haynes makes fun reading though and will
sometimes describe jobs in an easier to understand way.
I usually use a multimeter and test the wiring. This will allow you to find
power leads (red), grounds (brown/black) and speaker wires. Things will make
sense since my colors may be wrong. ;-)
Oh and if the wiring plugs are still intact then Crutchfield may sell adapters
that allow your new stereo to easily plug in. Also they may have car stereo
wiring diagrams on their website.

And of course searching the web may provide you with more information on things
you are asking about. ;-)

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

Replies within

>From: (Loki)
>
>I have recently acquired a 88 fox (love it so far) and have had some
>clanking/metal on metal sounds while cranking the wheel to its
>farthest extent. Is or could this be the C-V Joints? Any ideas at all?
>I'm sure it's not the suspention as it only makes this noise when I am
>giving the wheels power
>I can steer equally sharp with no ill effects while coasting.

Yes check your CV Joints and your control arm bushings. Of course check
everything else too. :-)

>
> Also I see tons and tons of info about dasher and audi fox exhaust
>parts and techtonics/eurosport catback systems...What do you recomend
>if you have tried either?

I think that the exhaust has a restriction just after the cat. conv. So you
might want to at least get a replacement pipe that opens the exhaust up there.
Muffler shop can help you out.
The 1979 Fox supposedly has the dual outlet exhaust manifold that aids in more
exhaust flow out of the engine. You might need to relocate the Oxygen Sensor
if yours is on the exhaust manifold.
A larger Throttle Body may also aid in making your engine a better air pump
too.

>
>What did you do about airflow? Aside from a high flow K&N-like filter.
>If you didnt do anything at all, how was back pressure? any obvious
>ill effect?
>I've read about drilling holes and such, however don't want to jump
>into that without some more info.

I have heard about drilling holes in the bottom of the air cleaner box.
Creates more possible air flow to the engine but also makes things noisier, and
easier for water and rodents to enter.
The K&N filter might also allow more dirt to enter the engine also.
Bottom line is YES those mods should allow more air inside of engine.

>
>I have also read a lot about break pad replacements, Mine squeek a bit
>and are rather old, I would appreciate suggestions. I don't want
>brakes that only grab when hot, I live in a very wet and, during this
>season, very cold climate. Any ideas?

I've got some Repcos (MetalMasters IIRC) for the VW Fox I can sell you fairly
cheap if you are interested. I bought quite a few sets from a warehouse
clearing out stock.
I run this type on my Audi 4000S. They are decent. I think some like Mintex
but you have to watch the compounds since some might only work when they do get
hot and then might try to grab.

>
>I can drive my car under 5000 rpms at all times if I must, Any reason
>I should or should not remove my rev limiter?
>
>And lastly...
>I have tried to install a sterio and will likely wait to get a
>chiltons for this...
>
>But if anyone knows.... which wire is for what??
>

A Bentley manual will be better. Look on Ebay for one at a good price, or buy
one from Amazon.com. Chiltons or Haynes makes fun reading though and will
sometimes describe jobs in an easier to understand way.
I usually use a multimeter and test the wiring. This will allow you to find
power leads (red), grounds (brown/black) and speaker wires. Things will make
sense since my colors may be wrong. ;-)
Oh and if the wiring plugs are still intact then Crutchfield may sell adapters
that allow your new stereo to easily plug in. Also they may have car stereo
wiring diagrams on their website.

And of course searching the web may provide you with more information on things
you are asking about. ;-)

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

>>And lastly...
>>I have tried to install a sterio and will likely wait to get a
>>chiltons for this...
>>
>>But if anyone knows.... which wire is for what??

IIRC, on my 90 Fox there were two plugs. One had 4 pairs of wires that
were twisted together. That was for the 4 speakers. The other had 3
wires: +12v, Gnd, and Illumination, IIRC red, brown, and green. I accidentally
hooked the radio ground to the illumination wire (measured 0 ohms to frame)
and burned up the dimmer switch when lights and radio were both on at the
same time. Felt stupid about that one. Also, the power wire is not ignition
key-dependant. It's always hot.

Don't know if it's the same on an 88 Fox, but there it is, FWIW.

....Sean.

>>And lastly...
>>I have tried to install a sterio and will likely wait to get a
>>chiltons for this...
>>
>>But if anyone knows.... which wire is for what??

IIRC, on my 90 Fox there were two plugs. One had 4 pairs of wires that
were twisted together. That was for the 4 speakers. The other had 3
wires: +12v, Gnd, and Illumination, IIRC red, brown, and green. I accidentally
hooked the radio ground to the illumination wire (measured 0 ohms to frame)
and burned up the dimmer switch when lights and radio were both on at the
same time. Felt stupid about that one. Also, the power wire is not ignition
key-dependant. It's always hot.

Don't know if it's the same on an 88 Fox, but there it is, FWIW.

....Sean.