opinions on brakes??

[gti jim]

righty ho the beast flew through the MOT last week but there was an advisory on brakes could be binding a little bit..

i have a very late 89 16v and am trying to keep it as oem as possible but subtle mods where of benefit.  i figure i haven't touched the brakes at all since i got her, what are your opinions please peoples;

1. what are the reasons for the brakes binding??

2. not wanting to go mad - what would be the most sensible option for new discs and pads??

3. who's had experience of fitting braided lines, what sort of cost, what sort of improvement??

4. any other general opinions for all you  's out there??

james 

[Gambit]

with it being an 89 F reg u will already have the 256mm front brake setup

1. binding is caused by partially seized calipers
2. ive brembo max disks & pagid pads on the front of my 16v & they work perfect. upgraded rear disks/pads arent really nessecary as there is so little braking done through the rears
3. braided lines make a fair bit of difference to braking - they usually go for about £50 on ebay. they are a 6 line kit - the  lines going into each caliper aint usually a problem but the other 2 that go under the ream beam are usually seized solid! - ring round local garages & get prices - it does not require a specialist to fit them & bleed the system.
4. VR6 master cylinder is also a good upgrade

[VeeDubGTI16v]

if your changing it all why not put a bit more towards a g60 setup?

[gti jim]

cheers for the advice there gambit    my mechanic said the same about the rears, think i'll have a wee perusal on fleabay for some braided lines for when the time comes.

would you suggest brembo and pagids on the rears as well, you know a bit of the yin and yang and all that stuff??   

might sound stoopid but the vr6 upgrade - should it be new or will second hand do??

did think about the g60 set up but then thought.. why would i want to put something from a car with a lot less valves than mine on my car    :laugh

honestly i've not really considered it.  is it a fairly easy job??

james 

[Veedubgt18v]

yep piss easy. old calipers and carriers off new calipers and carriers on just bolts to be done up and undone to be honest well easy

[rubjonny]

If you're doing the fronts & hoses anyway, make sure you replace the rears with some later MK3 items, these are less prone to siezing.  The way you can tell is to check if they have a massive spring on the outside, if they do they're the early type, if they don't then they're the late type