Volkswagen Repair: 98 Jetta, heh heh, wheels and tires


Question
Can't figure out how to replace a blown left brake light. Also, need to replace brake shoes and pads- front and back. Do you have a site that shows diagrams?

Answer
Is this the third brake light?  The left brake light should simply come out with the housing.  Remove the housing, remove the quarter twist bulb holder, replace bulb and reassemble...should be fairly straight forward.  Has there been some/a lot of body work?  That would certainly make it more difficult.
Re: pads/shoes, rotors/drums...etc.  I don't have a site that shows diagrams.  I don't have a site...I'm lucky to have sight!  heh heh...
The best way to any brake job, even if you have a lot of experience is to do ONE wheel at a time.  That way if something breaks, gets kicked across the shop floor, and lost in a vent, or drain, you still have a complete example to refer to...it will be the mirror image, but it will be complete.  With a hoist, it's easy.  With jack stands, it's a little more effort.  Get your Jetta up in the air, and remove all 4 wheels, and tires...a tire rotation could be helpful too.  That way you can see everything you are working with at one time.  If your parts list is not complete after your cursory inspection, then put it back together, order what you need, and come back to it later.  One final tip.  Make it CLEAN!!!  Your calipers, and wheel cylinders may have small leaks, and if they aren't clean, you'll never know it until there's a puddle of brake fluid on the driveway.  I hope I have been of some help Steve.  Good luck with your projects.