I've gotta 1979 Ford Fiesta with a 1.6L Kent 4 cylinder/with 2 Barrel webber carburetor,and 4 on the floor that will get 45MPG. only problem is the previous owner trashed the wheel hubs on a botched hub bearing install. I've been told that the 79 VW Rabbit uses the exact same hub can anybody verify or disprove this I REALLY need help with this so if you know Please say something

Thanks
Courtney in Tx

 

By "hub" you mean the inner part of the brake disk? Or, do you mean the rears?

I had a Mk I Fiesta (1980) which needed frequent brake jobs, but never got into the bearings. That was my first new car and it was a lot of fun. The engine was bulletproof but the rest of the it seemed cheaply made for a German car.

 

well by wheel hub I mean the whole unit that the lug bolts go into and that mounts the wheel to the front end. I'd hate to pay $90.00 for the parts plus shipping for something that I can buy brand new with bearings and everything shipped to my door for $84.00

Thing is this is dependant on the vw rabbits using the same hub. I've been told by various people that they've used wheels,brake pads and shoes,and calipers from a rabbit on a fiesta but I just want to be absolutely sure before I commit the money to ordering them is all

 

According to the parts catalog I have, none of the parts ..... hubs, bearings, seals, brake parts etc are the same.

 

I think the Rabbit parts are an upgrade, but that's just external parts not the bearings/hub. You're only talking $6 difference between the known right parts and what may be something completely wrong, less than it would cost to ship back the wrong parts and re-order the right ones if they are wrong. Not worth the risk IMO.

 

Well theres a more significant difference than that though. the parts that will cost 90 dollars are Used and in questionable condition from a junk yard the lesser expensive parts are brand new and would also be ordered with new bearings. reason I mentioned the guy on the other forum is that he use to race these things on scca and a couple other people also made mention of the brake components and wheels interchanging. I hate to buy used parts for the Exact reason mention plus the aspect of them being in questionable condition I.E. have they already been turned so many times they're trashed after this use. the rabbit components would be coming from Rock Auto brand new.

Is it possible they are compatible and the book just doesn't say that? or maybe they have different parts numbers but are the same thing in actuality??? Not disagreeing or arguing with you Dave just want to be absolutely sure buying a used part is totally necessary is all. cause theres also the factor of the $400 labor to have them and the new bearing installed so Not something I want to have to do again in 50,000 miles or less if avoidable thanks for the help so far guys. I really like this little car and just want to get it on the road been looking for these stupid hubs for about a year now.

 

The only vehicle the front wheel bearings cross over to are the Fiesta's, so I'd assume it's a no-go from that.
Nothing wrong with used parts, pay with paypal and if they are not as represented then file a dispute. Pretty low risk, really.

 

lol Well they give a 30 day return guarantee on ALL parts even electrical. I don't have a problem with used parts, but on parts like these considering they hold your wheels on aswell as stop the vehicle I'd prefer new but I guess I'll just have to get the used ones instead no biggie

Thanks for the help fellas I appreciate it