rear disc conversion

[jon89gt]

ive bent my rear axle, so was thinking of doing a rear disc conversion and now seems like a good time. Is it basically just a straight swap from a golf gti if you get an axle with everything on or is there more to it than that?? cheers jon

[Funky Diver]

If memory serves, you need a Mk1 Golf / Rocco rear beam.

16valve Rocco handbrake cables.
Then the choice of calipers is up to you. Stay away from Mk2 golf ones though as they have the return springs on the outside which are prone to seizing. Mk3 Golf and Polo will fit, along with stub axles, and some SEAT items too.

[duggers]

I have a factory 16v and suggest that apart form looks the rear disc conversion will not give you any real benefits on a right hand drive car. Rear callipers of any type need some regular TLC, nothing major but you need to clean and lube the hand brake levers on the calliper to prevent seizing.

[Funky Diver]

apart from looks

Sells it for me, but then I'm shallow, haha!!

If you use Mk3 Golf calipers there isn't the need to grease them the same as earlier ones due to the return spring being housed inside the caliper itself.

[duggers]

Didn't say looks don't matter...........

[whiteshark]

D'ont change your rear beam,change your rear stub axles to ones that can take rear disc brakes. You will need 16v brake cables though. Do they make a difference, yes, but not a massive one. If like me you drive other cars, especially modern ones, they are a godsend as they do stop you a bit quicker. I've mine cranked so that one tiny pull of the handbrake activates the rears. On drums you can do the same thing, but on a motorway driving at high speeds I would be very wary pulling the hand brake, with calipers the worst i'm going to damage is hopefully the cables. Also over the years brake imbalance can be caused by a slightly bleeding rear caliper piston using brake drums. It really pissed me off replacing the whole back brake system on my car one year to pass the MOT, only to fail the MOT the year after on a rear brake imbalance. You question yourself, is it one of the shoes, drums ect or is it the piston. With calipers, you can measure the thickness of the discs, look at the pads very easily without removing anything and if all else fails replace the caliper. Yes they do look nice, but if your in it for the long term I would change. More stopping power, safer driving.