GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: X4MGS on 18 August 2010, 19:28
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Following on from my thread of last night...
I am looking for members experiences when you have replaced the original MK2 rear Calipers...
Also any technical specs you have would also be helpful... IE How much lighter is the MK4 caliper over the MK3 etc etc...
Thanks
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the hoses have plenty of room to move and i'm pretty chuffed with the result, the hoses look sweet!
but i've got to be honest, before the caliper change, the mk2 handbrake forces were
nearside: 60 kgf
offside: 120 kgf
and with the mk4 calipers
nearside: 120 kgf
offside: 120 kgf
the handbrake isn't particularly lighter to operate (probably as a result of the cable design/layout), its certainly not any stronger and the overall foot braking certainly isn't any different. the calipers were £30 and hoses £35, was it a waste of £65? in my opinion, yes - but it was a necessary evil for the pissin mot. my advice to others - don't expect miracles from the mk3/mk4 calipers :(
The weight is completely irrelevant, taking a dump or removing a sock before driving will shed more pounds.
Add to the fact to bleed them, I have to remove them, turn them upside down and chock - it simply isn't worth the bother.
If your callipers aren't working, use MK3 units, save the grief with stupid conversion hoses and calliper flipping (on pre-88s).
But I am biased, I'm still bitter I even had to replace them - I don't use the sodding handbrake!
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You must wear some heavy sock M8... :laugh:
I must say that after your advice last night I am going back to the MK3 thoughts...
But just wanted some other peeps thoughts on the conversion... Nothing personal!!!
the hoses have plenty of room to move and i'm pretty chuffed with the result, the hoses look sweet!
but i've got to be honest, before the caliper change, the mk2 handbrake forces were
nearside: 60 kgf
offside: 120 kgf
and with the mk4 calipers
nearside: 120 kgf
offside: 120 kgf
the handbrake isn't particularly lighter to operate (probably as a result of the cable design/layout), its certainly not any stronger and the overall foot braking certainly isn't any different. the calipers were £30 and hoses £35, was it a waste of £65? in my opinion, yes - but it was a necessary evil for the pissin mot. my advice to others - don't expect miracles from the mk3/mk4 calipers :(
The weight is completely irrelevant, taking a dump or removing a sock before driving will shed more pounds.
Add to the fact to bleed them, I have to remove them, turn them upside down and chock - it simply isn't worth the bother.
If your callipers aren't working, use MK3 units, save the grief with stupid conversion hoses and calliper flipping (on pre-88s).
But I am biased, I'm still bitter I even had to replace them - I don't use the sodding handbrake!
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But just wanted some other peeps thoughts on the conversion... Nothing personal!!!
No worries pal ;)
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Ben MK3 calipers are the same fitment as MK4, so on your car you would still have to flip MK3 calipers upside down ;)
Post-88 MK2, MK3 and MK4 have the handbrake cable on the bottom, pre-88 MK2 and scirocco 16v have the handbrake cable on the top. Hence the need to install the later calipers upside down on a pre-88. Post 88 MK2s MK3 and MK4 calipers bolt right on the same way, though different hoses on MK4 :)
Later MK3 & MK4 use the same design of handbrake mech so are less prone to seizing, however MK4s are more prone to the bleed nipple seizing in due to corrosion between the different metals, theres a name for this but I can never remember it. MK4s are lighter, and they do apparently have better handbrake force, I assume due to an improvement on the mechanism inside the piston? The piston size is the same between late mk2, mk3 and mk4. The early MK2 has a smaller piston.
The only real advantage to the MK4s is the weight, MK2/3 are more than strong enough for a MK2. But you have to factor in the extra cost of the conversion hoses when fitting them, so unless you get the calipers dirt cheap I'd go with the MK3s.
Worth noting that some of the very early MK3s came with MK2 calipers on, the way to tell is to check for the big spring on the outside. if there is one its a MK2 type, if not its MK3.