Zelenda Tools -- official VW tools

[Capt. Mike]

Zelenda Tools is the original supplier of VW tools, the ones you see specified in the Bentley shop manuals. They do sell to individuals, and there are a times nothing but the original will do.

Their web site is not intuitive or laid out like a regular tool company -- the catalogs are still aimed at the dealers needs, not end users. However, with the tool number from the Bentley, you can usually get close. Since the catalog is not for browsers, you may just want to deal with them via email, Zelenda@aol.com, if just looking at one or two specialty tools. Have your VW tool number from the Bentley at hand.

Zelenda is also an authorized dealer for Hazet and Heyco lines, who are the manufacturers of most of the tools you find in the original and accessory VW tools sets. Also Porsche & MBenz. My limited experience with them is quality is good. They make some of the unique convenience tools like the VW valve adjusting (old air-cooled) combination tappet nut wrench & adjuster screwdriver.

Zelenda tools are NOT cheap. They are meant for the very heavy duty & abuse of a commercial shop and the limited market for marquee speciality tools means they are setting up production for what will be a limited run. But . . . sometimes only the right tool will work.

[Capt. Mike]

Well, it looks like Zelenda isn't too interested in selling to us VW Westy owners and private shops. When I was doing the piece on metric hardware, I contacted Zelenda. They promised to send me their VW tool catalog on 22 September 2004. It's now 13 November 2004 -- you do the math!

I sent the contact, Paul, a reminder 26 October 2004. Guess what? Still no response. And I'm a past customer with some of their high-dollar tools! Maybe when you've got a captive market in dealer shops, you don't have to sell anything on the outside.