288mm calipers/carriers compatibility

[spikenipple]

Does anyone know if 288mm calipers and carriers are the same for MK3 288mm brakes and MK4 288mm brakes?

[Ess_Three]

Calipers, yes.
Carriers, no...Mk4s have a different offset on the discs so sit 6mm further in.

But if you have a problem with a Mk3 caliper, you can use a Mk4 caliper on a Mk3 carrier and vice versa...you just can't use a Mk3 full set up with a Mk4 disc, or Mk4 full set up on a Mk3 disc.

Put another way, the disc and the carrier need to match. The calipers are the same regardless.

[spikenipple]

Top man, thank you.

[Gavv8]

Are mk4 front calipers an upgrade on a mk3?, i've heard that mk4 rear calipers are worthwhile on a mk3 but not mk4 fronts.

[Ess_Three]

Are mk4 front calipers an upgrade on a mk3?, i've heard that mk4 rear calipers are worthwhile on a mk3 but not mk4 fronts.

Fronts are the same. No upgrade.

[boneybradley]

people do say the rears are a good upgrade but even mk4 one's seize..... only really a good upgrade for the earl;y mk3's which has a crappy handbrake mech other wise a clean up (and maybe seal kit) is all they need

[Gavv8]

The handbrake mech on my o/s rear keeps seizing up and i was told it wasn't worth trying to clean it up and to just replace it, do you think its worth a go and would the seal kit be just for the main piston?

[Ess_Three]

The handbrake mech on my o/s rear keeps seizing up and i was told it wasn't worth trying to clean it up and to just replace it, do you think its worth a go and would the seal kit be just for the main piston?

It's not normally the rear piston...or you'd have low braking effort picked up on the MOT for that caliper...and since you mention the handbrake seizing up, it points to the seals where the handbrake operating mechanism go through the casting and into the back of the piston.
That's a far harder seal to change.
It's probably not worth the effort...just get a re-furbished caliper as getting them stripped is a pig of a job requiring some special tools.

[Gavv8]

Thanks bud i'll just have to get it changed, the caliper works fine in normal service but i've just changed the rear discs so i can't use the handbrake until its sorted which is a pain.