Hi,

I have a breadvan polo with standard calipers and the pads need replacing so I'm looking at improving the brakes whilst I'm at it. They need to fit under original 13" wheels.

I've seem mention of VWII brakes - are these what I should be looking at? Do they need new discs and different pads. Can I use my existing carriers with these calipers?

If someone could provide an overview of the options I would be really grateful.

Cheers, Jon

Hi,

I have a breadvan polo with standard calipers and the pads need replacing so I'm looking at improving the brakes whilst I'm at it. They need to fit under original 13" wheels.

I've seem mention of VWII brakes - are these what I should be looking at? Do they need new discs and different pads. Can I use my existing carriers with these calipers?

If someone could provide an overview of the options I would be really grateful.

Cheers, Jon

i can highly reccomend the VWII upgrade, as i am using it in my 1.4 16v converted mk2 saloon and they have more than enough stopping power with black diamond grooved rotors and pads, i used my standard carriers as it is a very late mk2 so you should be ok to use your carriers aswell.

You can use stock carriers with them. The calipers are a bit wider IIRC so that you can fit the vented discs under them. So you may need spacers on the front wheels to clear them. But it totally depends on the type of wheels you are using. Some will clear and others won't.

As far as I'm aware VWIIs won't quite clear ET43 4.5J steelies, but will clear any OE ET38 ones fine.

Same pads, just need new (vented) rotors. Worth changing the allen bolts that hold the caliper to the carrier. One of these is longer on the VWII caliper, So if your buying from a breakers yard get them as a pattern and get some replacements as they always end up round.

It seems that the later calipers had 10x1mm bleed nipples apposed to 7mm, get these if you can/have a selection as they're less likely to snap/round off

Thanks for the replies guys - these are really helpful.

Is there a part number(s) or something that I can use to get the right allen bolts?

Are these the bolts I would need?

Ebay link

Had a look on vagcat.com. Looks like they are m8x45mm (VAG part No. N 0147153) and m8x55mm (N 0447553). I thought it was more than a 10mm difference in shank, but without measuring some i guess it must be. These are a standard thread, so should be available from your local fasteners. Get 8.8 tensile or upwards though..

This post seems to suggest that my existing carriers on a Mk3 Polo won't be suitable with the VWII calipers - does anyone know the definitive answer on this?

caliper upgrade link

I've just bought the VWII calipers but without any carriers.

You have the correct carriers already.

But beware you need pads for vented discs. They look the same as your standard pads but have less meat on them from new. The label on the box is likely to include Polo G40 and Golf/Jetta GTi.

someone above said "same pads", this isn't right, you need the correct pads for VWII calipers, ones for VWI calipers wont fit as they are too thick when new.

Basically, yes upgrade to VWII, they are very easy to find as almost all VWs from the 80s and early 90s came with them, they will fit with your existing carriers and they will fit under 13" wheels.