MK1 brakes

[intensem1]

Another question about mk1s.
I find that my brake pedal comes out along way and needs to be pushed in heaps before the car starts to brake. Is there a way to adjust this so it sits level, maybe the accelerator needs adjusting out also?

Also the brakes feel really weak im scared someone will stop suddenly and ill go right up them! Is there a way to get more power from the mk1 brakes? Any ideas are welcome, all help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advaced!

[ontarv]

the first thing i would do
is blead the brake flush out all old fluid
with nice new stuff
and then adjust rear brakes that would help
peddle feel and amount of travel
and there is always upgrades!!!

[tassie_euro_mk1]

I actually have a D clamp that stops the brake pedal coming up so far. Its clamped on the steering rack. I think. I cant check now but ill have a look 2moro.

[Campaign]

Yeah, I was thinking adjust up the rear brake shoes - brings the pedal up.
Also what pads are you using? Genuine are supposed to be good.

[Spyda]

There was a thread some where here that showed how to do a good break upgrade using holden calipers and drilled-vented disks. I couldnt seem to find it again. I remember it saying it was cheap and stoped realy realy well.

Can anyone remember it?

[brackie]

Search results

By typing "camira brakes" I got this:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/search.php?searchid=48278

I seem to remember a detailed description somewhere. Maybe this will be a prompt to someone and we'll get it again.

[syncro]

If you're going to change calipers etc, it would be better to go GTI. See Matt (Golf Loon) if he can get some for you.

[intensem1]

Thanks guys for all the input! Very interesting all the things you can do, camira sounds cheap! But the car has recently had new brakes done front dont know about back. Think bleeding them which ill have to look up in my manual when i get it. and maybe adjust the drums / rebuild them. Booster might also need a change.

Any other ideas at the moment i dont think ill change callipers. till brakes truely screw up or a bigger engine is fitted!

[brackie]

Adjusting wedge.

Mate.. The rear brakes are supposed to be self-adjusting, but they ain't.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=462&highlight=wedge

[Campaign]

I adjust the wedge on the rear brakes whenever I service the car or when the handbrake travel is getting too much.
I take the wheel off and rotate the drum until the bolt hole aligns with the spring hole in the wedge. then I insert a long pointer/awl and pull down the wedge.
the Mk1 LS I used to have had the wheel type adjusters, accessed from the back of the drum.
Either way, I reckon adjusting the brake shoes is the first step in dealing with that excess pedal travel.

[Golf Loon]

Mk1 Brakes are designed to put the fear of God into you, but they will stop the car if you push em hard enough.

Linkage bar across the engine bay adds vague feeling, check all the links for play

Rear brakes can be adjusted as above, or replaced with drums from a Golf CL or SEAT Cordoba which are bigger and slightly better designed. No other mods needed, just bolt on

[h100vw]

Mk1 Brakes are designed to put the fear of God into you,

Ain't that the truth!!!!!!!

[evorobin]

I found the mismatched springs in your car did a better job of that Gav. The brakes were ****e and that is THE GTI. Why can't alex fit the hubs and brakes from my 239 set-up again?

[aliasmk2]

When I was playing around with mk1 brakes I found the one thing that made a big difference was the instalment of a 9 inch booster that came out on the later mk1 cabro's, over the standard 7 inch.
It improved the pedal & the overall braking & its a very quick job to do

cheers Ian

[worm]

I bought camira calipers ages ago to fit to my golf...... cost me $30 for both... they arent quiet the perfect fit, but the holes line up... I think all you would need to do is add a few spacers to the caliper.... i ended up keeping them standard as vented dics are expensive....