Can we talk MK1 brakes for a second?

[Jace]

I'm needing rotors at a minimum for RWC.

So I know there's a few direct bolt-up options for a MK1.
What's the cheapest, easiest, most common upgrade for a car like mine, you guys?
(or what are all the options, pros and cons of each I suppose)


Right now, I'm not fussed about making my car stop fast or handle well. I just need to get it on the road.
But I'll probably be looking to upgrade down the track sometime, so I'm happy to stretch the budget now to save doing it later.


(by the way, i tried searching )

[static1800]

Few options out there;

You can get GTI rotors and calipers which go straight on, these also came on late model cabrio's. I am running these atm and are much better than standard.

Another option is getting your new stock rotors and giving the entire braking system a once over, so check the booster, master cylinder and lines for leaks, check the rear drums for leaks and adjust them. I think you can get kits to replace all the seals in things in the master cylinder which even if you do upgrade would be a good idea. You can also check the bar that runs across the firewall for any play and adjust, not sure how much this helps though.

You can put in a Seat booster setup which helps, couple of threads on here about it. Jarred and Pete Jones both have threads going over the process

[captainvw]

sorry dont know how to create a link check out the Pete Jones do it yourself thread ........

[Preen59]

Depends on your budget..

In you just want RWC, get everything sweet and give it all a service. If you want some better braking, get some GTI hardware. Straight bolt on (just need some proportioning valves and some different lines at the end) and you're set.

That is of course, only MY opinion.

[Jace]

Having to replace them mostly because the front discs have a 1.5mm lip all the way around!
I'm a brake system n00b by the way haha.
I've done pads before, not fluid or plumbing etc.

I just need to do it for RWC. So I can basically just replace the rotors (& pads while I'm there) and be all set.

[Peter Jones]

I've covered brakes system upgrades in these project threads.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f55/1980-b1-passat-project-24078.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f55/...ace-13857.html

This is how you do a booster conversion.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f20/...mk1-11689.html

Here's some more stuff.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f20/...tos-13700.html

and yet more.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f13/...its-11535.html

Here's how you upgrade the rears.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f20/...k-i-11719.html

If you liked that you might also like

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f13/...ory-11723.html

Or perhaps this.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f13/...job-11595.html

and that's just the stuff I wrote.

I'd be surprised if you can read all of that and have any questions left.

In reality MK1 brakes are pretty good. Look at the reviews from back in the day. If yours suck they probably just need fixing, they are 30 years old after all.

[lawny]

Mate I can help if u want, I just did mine not long ago. Got all my stuff from clutch and brake in little ryrie st. They can even just machine the discs u have in there already for like $20 each if I remember right. Seen as it's just for a rwc this would be the cheapest and easiest way.

[Jace]

That sounds like a good option Mark. I'll get onto them once I've got another permit. :roll_eyes:

Peter, thanks a lot for that!
I wasn't aware you'd written up so much on it/everything. I did look, obviously not hard enough!

[Peter Jones]

Yeah I do carp on a lot. Must be the dementia setting in.

In your situation I'd just concentrate on making the car roadworthy.

Pull the discs off, (it's not much harder than changing a tyre) and take them down to a brake place they'll tell you straight away if the discs a thick enough to be machined.

If you do get them machined replace the pads at the same time.Your brake place can get them, they're not rare. Take one of the old ones with you for comparison, ideally one with a legible part number.

Again if it were my car I'd probably replace the front brake hoses too, the brake place can make those too.

All the exact details of all that stuff are in the threads above somewhere, use the search within thread function to save yourself reading the entire saga.

Once the car's on the road keep an eye out for GTI or other brake upgrade bits as they pop up in the for sale section and on eBay.

Pete

[Jace]

That sounds like good advice Peter.

I haven't looked at it too hard, but the calipers look different to what I've slid off before.
I actually tried sliding the caliper off the disc (i assume it's not the best/good way to do it) without really releasing the caliper at all.
The lip around the disc physically stopped me from doing that anyway. I just bolted the caliper back on and forgot about it.
I guess I need to separate either side of the caliper to change pads/remove caliper in my case.

[Jarred]

just get some new disc and pads, and it should be all sweet.

a booster and master cylinder upgrade will make the brakes feel like they're from this centuary and dramatically improve stopping distance. Add GTI or old audi calipers (with vented 239mm discs) in the future if you want some more.

[Jace]

I don't know if I'll make this car very sporty. Maybe handling > power if I do, brakes might see an upgrade like that.

So bugger it, for now I will just to the discs and pads, and adjust the push-rod across the firewall. I'll also learn the fluid system and get some quality fluid in there because it makes a big difference yeah?

Thanks for your help guys.

[Jarred]

yep, spend some time going over the lines and joints, checking for leaks etc Also the reservouir & cap. Whack some good fluid in (I use castrol Super DOT4) and it should be pretty good. Don't be afraid to spend a bit of time bleeding it too, make sure you get all the old crap out of the lines, since you never know what it was done last. Always you ring spanners when doing brake line nuts, don't want any rounded nuts now!

[Jace]

I've got a set of Sidchrome ratchet spanners... they're among the best **** i own!

So bleeding them. I just undo the lines at the discs and drums and pump the pedal yeah?
So n00b haha.

[Peter Jones]

Just google " How to bleed brakes"

Here's an example How to Bleed Brakes - Tips on Bleeding Brakes - Popularmechanics.com