GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: JezGTI on 05 December 2003, 22:27

Title: Brake discs
Post by: JezGTI on 05 December 2003, 22:27
Looks like it not too long off before I need to change my brake discs, front and rear.  Is this something I can do myself (not got too much car knowledge) or is it a garage job, if its the later does anyone know what sort of price I should expect to pay.  Also can assume that a brake disc is a brake disc or (and I expect this to be the case) is life just not that simple?
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: JezGTI on 05 December 2003, 22:28
Oh,by the way, my car is a 1991 8V.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Hammy on 05 December 2003, 22:33
My guess is that it shouldn't be too hard.. Not actually done it myself on a golf, but the disc changes I did to my vectra were a piece of pee pee.....

Defnitely wirth considering in my opinion....  Just need to be careful on the rear discs setting up the pistons and handbrake linkage.

Sure there will be others more able to give accurate advice very soon.

Paul..
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Blue MK2 on 05 December 2003, 22:58
I havnt tried this before but....

Take the wheel off,
Unbolt the calliper,
Undo the phillips screw that holds the disk on.

Not too sure.

As your changing your disks I would consider changing you pads aswel.

Price (vented) mk2 Gti disks, fronts- about ?45 each ???
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Helios_Blue_Valver on 05 December 2003, 23:23
I havnt tried this before but....

Take the wheel off,
Unbolt the calliper,
Undo the phillips screw that holds the disk on.

Not too sure.

As your changing your disks I would consider changing you pads aswel.

Price (vented) mk2 Gti disks, fronts- about ?45 each ???

Back disks are a little more involved but still a piece of p1ss to change. just don't let the calipers hang on the rubber hoses when you remove them  like I have seen some people do in the past.  
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Helios_Blue_Valver on 05 December 2003, 23:26
forgot to mention also. If you are buying new discs you can usually find drilled ones for about 50 quid a pair in the golf mags.  :) Depending on how hard you cane it good quality pads are a must as well. I have used EBC Green Stuff pads for some time now on performance cars and have never had a prob with fade or the pads glazing over. they also don't generate alot of dust so it keeps the alloys looking good.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: golfvr6 on 06 December 2003, 00:03
Front discs are quite easy but get an impact driver to get the crosshead screw out. Rear discs are a little bit more complicated as everyone has forgot to mention the wheel bearing is housed in the rear disc hub. To do the rear discs you will need a new bearing kit and probably a special tool to wind the piston back in(available from halfords). Press the new bearing shells in with the old shells and a bit of wood, then put the the new bearings in. Make sure you use plenty of grease.
If you are not fimiliar with doing the work then maybe it might be better to do the fronts and get someone else to do the rears.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Gozza on 06 December 2003, 11:54
Stop me if I am wrong here lads but you also need to make sure you clean the hub very well to make sure the new disks sit completely flat, otherwise they will warp or shake the steering wheel under braking !!
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: golfvr6 on 06 December 2003, 14:54
Well yep, i thought that was obvious! also clean and grease the caliper carrier and the back of the brake pads.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Helios_Blue_Valver on 06 December 2003, 15:35
Front discs are quite easy but get an impact driver to get the crosshead screw out. Rear discs are a little bit more complicated as everyone has forgot to mention the wheel bearing is housed in the rear disc hub. To do the rear discs you will need a new bearing kit and probably a special tool to wind the piston back in(available from halfords). Press the new bearing shells in with the old shells and a bit of wood, then put the the new bearings in. Make sure you use plenty of grease.
If you are not fimiliar with doing the work then maybe it might be better to do the fronts and get someone else to do the rears.

Good point '6 didn't think about the bearings. One more thing that sticks out in my mind. When you wind the pistons back into the caliper on the rear and get everythiong back together and before you think about starting the car pump the brakes about 50 times to readjust the rear calipers if you do this with the engine running the assist from the power brakes can lock the backs tight on. :) we found this out on my mates car a few months back.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Blue MK2 on 06 December 2003, 15:49
thats a good tip 8916 ;)
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Gozza on 07 December 2003, 12:27
Well yep, i thought that was obvious! also clean and grease the caliper carrier and the back of the brake pads.

Only obvious if you have done it before, but thats the point he hasn't  :P
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: golfvr6 on 07 December 2003, 12:45
Always clean up all parts when dismantling  :)
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Helios_Blue_Valver on 07 December 2003, 22:48
Always clean up all parts when dismantling  :)

Thats what I was taught makes it easier to inspect parts for damage and more fun to put together. I made a parts washing bin from a 5 gallon bucket with a lid to clean bits in. works great and cheaper and takes up less room then a parts washer. :)
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: BSJ on 07 December 2003, 23:12
I've just fitted new discs and pads today.  Took about 1 1/2hrs start to finish.  As mentioned before the cross head screws on the front discs can be a bit of a headache, but don't worry they will give you new ones in the box. The caliper slider bolts can be a challenge too.  As for the back, these are not to bad just take your time and think what your doing.  New bearings are not fitted by VW garages unless they are shot.  Watch when you are refitting the hub not to damage the inner hub seal.  Good luck and if you go ahead give yourself plenty of time.  Also take 8916vGti's advice on the points he brought up.

BSJ
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: JezGTI on 08 December 2003, 08:53
Thanks again guys, I think I'll have a go at the fronts first and see how I get on.  I have a Haynes manual, so hopefully that'll help too.  Blue, you said ?45 each for vented discs, is this each pair or each disc?
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Blue MK2 on 08 December 2003, 10:06
GSF prices...

Vented disks from ?12.95 each

While you are here its probably worth changing your pads for some green/red stuff road pads.

hope that helps Jez
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: Gambit on 08 December 2003, 10:26
you should have coated the cross head screw in copper slip, this will prevent it from seizing next time

or do what i did & dont put the screw on at all
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: JezGTI on 08 December 2003, 11:10
Thanks again, will have a go next weekend.
Title: Re:Brake discs
Post by: golfvr6 on 09 December 2003, 00:21
 New bearings are not fitted by VW garages unless they are shot.  Watch when you are refitting the hub not to damage the inner hub seal.

BSJ

New bearings are not essential if not worn, however you cannot interchange the shells and bearings. If you want to keep the original bearings then you will have to drift the shells old of the old discs and fit them to the new ones. This is pointless as new bearing kits are as cheap as chips  ;)