Rear Disc Conversion

[Niall]

Just wondering how difficult it would be to put discs on the rear. Has anyone on here done it? and if so, was it worth the money?

Cheers

[bluestreak56]

got mk3 gti calipers and vented grooved discs on the rear of mine (not sure as to the size of the discs) and although I do have a big brake conversion (288mm) up front and a larger master cylinder my rocco actually stops haha

although I cant take the credit - bought the car with the conversions already done..

[RogerM]

The problem is getting the handbrake cables (Scirocco 16V) as the last stocks I knew of was at GSF and they can't get me one to replace my worn one, checked last week

I'd say they aren't worth the effort because;

heavier than drums
no extra retardation (limited by contact patch loading on the rear tires)
more work required to do wheel bearings
require the rest of the system (especially master cylinder) to be upgraded to get the best from them

Only advantage is looks behind open spoke wheels.

I'm in serious debate as to if I use them again on the new car or not. I'm currently thinking not to be honest. So long as the drums are maintained well (how long does it really take to check / set rear brake adjustment ... 15 mins per side every 4 months or so?).

If I was you I'd be spending the money on the front brakes, where about 85% of the retardation comes from!

Oh, also don't use the ribbed ali calipers from the later models unless you also have larger piston front calipers (like Bluestreaks) as you'll struggle to get a good balance and get rear wheel locking and all sorts of issues.

[carlosiw]

Funnilly enough I've just converted mine! Was a lot of work; upgraded master cylinder to the 22mm version found on corrados, golf mk2s etc. (and servo,-you have to to fit the new cylinder) This alone was pretty painstaking. You will also need a reservour from a mk2 golf. The discs/caliper went on easy enough (mk 2 golf) though snapped a stub axle bolt in the process! Also had to shorten the linkage arm slightly to take up the slack. (one that goes across back of engine bay) The brakes seem a bit better, probably to do with the larger master cylinder, but not worth the time/effort if your goal is just to improve stopping power. They do look cool, though! Can advise you more if you go ahead with it! P.S. I got my handbrake cables a couple of years ago from GSF; only just got around to doing the job!

[millsy20]

Ive found whilst doing my conversion that the mk2 golf ones fit because I used the parts from the Golf donor car that I bought last year.

[Birdy]

Absolute doddle to do

Done this conversion on 2 rocco's now, got the cables from GSF with no problem, they were still available from VW for just a bit more too!

The biggest problem i had was getting all the air out of the system on the first bleed due to the calipers being inverted

As for being worth it, i upgraded the fronts to 256mm with the bigger servo etc on mine so i cant say yay or nay. However on shags rocco he is running standard fronts/servo/master cyl but with the rear calipers and swears the car stops alot better than with drums, plus there is far less hastle to keep them adjusted

[monzajake]

Theres a company on ebay usa who will send them over to you. Just contact them and they are happy t do that..
If you turn th calipers upside down while bleeding them that 99 % of the time removes the air..
As for upgrading not noticeable tbh, but as birdy say's they do look rather cool, finish's the car off. Also i think
you can handbrake turn the car better with disc's rather than drum's...Not that i would encourge that...

[Niall]

Wht kind of price would this company charge?

[Rusty dan]

I had mine on the car when i bled them! Time will tell lol

[monzajake]

Wht kind of price would this company charge?

Think it was some thing like 40 quid tbh cant remember. Will check to see if i have the link still..

[griffster]

Was contemplating this one myself, but a bloke i know suggested save all the stub axle/ carrier malarkey, a mk11 goof gti complete axle would go straight on! 4 chassis bolts,brake pipes, and two shock bolts( not forgetting 16v cable purchase) Has anyone heard of this or is he blowing smoke out of his behind?? Any info appreciated. Chris