brake upgrade

[Rain]

just for future refernce really but i have an early 89 digi gti and wanted to know if i was to upgrade the brakes to 256/280mm would i need to replace the hubs and balls joints? as i was told that 88+ had same hubs and ball joints as 16v or they that they just didnt need changing to to install larger calipers and disc etc....

[rubjonny]

You need the hubs, calipers & carriers off a late 16v as the 8v and early 16v hubs are cast and unable to accept 256/280mm discs.

[Rain]

yer i understand that someone said to me that 88+ 8v's had differnt hubs that only require a spacer to fit 16v/g60 calipers was just trying to find out more info about weather this was true or not and how i could tell which my 89 has.

[rubjonny]

No it isn't true, only the very late 8vs had seperate calipers, its was the >88 16v that just require a spacer. That is the year they had 256mm brakes fitted, before that they had the same 239mm brakes as the 8v.

[Rain]

k  cheers

[rubjonny]

As for what they looks like, check this 16v caliper auction:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4553719790

On the pic of the rear you can just about make out the caliper carrier bolts which you remove so you can fit spacers for 280mm discs

[monzablue16v]

I have an 88 16v with 239mm  just before they changed to bigger discs!! by like 2 months what bits do i need to change to bigger discs? and how much am i looking at? cheers

[rubjonny]

Everything you need is on that ebay auction

[monzablue16v]

hmmm only live in Huddersfield 2?? what will I need to change had a few hairy moments