TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help- I need some parts

Thu Nov 20, 2003 7:20 pm

I'm trying to find some nice used Hella rear side marker light assemblies. I've got the lenses, but need the light housing and gasket. The aftermarket stuff I've seen is garbage.

thanks!

Fri Nov 21, 2003 1:35 am

I have found that it is very hard to save the plastic push clips that hold the base to the body, especially on the right side where the battery sits.
I have not looked at the repros real close. How bad are they? Can you use the new push clips with the old bases?

Fri Nov 21, 2003 5:32 am

On that note...
Anyone know of any suppliers of used parts? I need a few misc items and am having trouble finding them with some of the new suppliers.
Just wondering if there are shops with salvage yards that will pull parts and ship.
Thanks,
Mike

Fri Nov 21, 2003 7:17 am

I've used www.wayoutsalvage.com before- they have a good selection and are very friendly. I've been trying to contact www.bustedbus.com but haven't had any luck. Most of the salvage yards around my area seem to have crushed their VWs long ago.

The aftermarket parts (taillight assemblies, and front and rear side marker assemblies) that I ordered were from India and were complete junk- I sent them back. The taillights didn't fit- the indention around the top bolt wasn't round (like the tab on the bus) so they wouldn't have fit without grinding on the bus. The rear side marker assembly mounting tabs didn't line up with the mounting holes and the gaskets on both sets weren't very high quality and they were too thick- the markers would have stood off form the body allowing dirt, etc to get stuck there.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:59 am

BusDepot and GoWesty both want $19.95 each for marker light bases. Are these the junk ones or good ones? Normally their stuff is pretty good.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 1:51 pm

They are junk. The lenses are junk too.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:36 pm

If you have good original bases but broken pushin clips, you could buy these repop bases for the pins..... kinda pricey but I know of no source for the pins alone. It would be nice if someone offered them.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:00 pm

A long bolt, washer and nut will secure the the bulb holder when the clips break. It's a popular remedy. Too bad the clips were the flimsiest part of the design. The rest of the bulb holder seem to last except for some eventual corrosion on the leads but that's a pervasive problem in the bus.

Even the reproductions sometimes come with broken clips. Check your shipment if you are ordering them.

Sun Nov 30, 2003 11:22 pm

A tube of De-Ox anti-oxidant gel applied to each and every bulb socket and push-on connector in the entire electrical system will make it reliable forever, don't forget the fuses too. Shall I brag a little? OK. My electrical system has given me no trouble for a quarter of a century, except for the damn ignition switch last August.
Colin

Mon Dec 01, 2003 1:56 am

Sounds like a good idea...I don't think I'll go to the trouble of doing every connector in my bus unless it suffers catastrophic failure. I've had problems with the following:

- side marker bulbs. They would fade on/off. The spring contacts had corroded and the bulb housings as well.

- tail lights. I'd get brake or reverse lights but not both. Wiggle one, lose the other.

- ground connections on body in engine compartment.

All those connectors are clean now and have been working properly for 6 months. They could probably use some gel for protection against the weather. I know some folks have had problems with the FI wiring harness ground point under plenum but that's my list.