TheSamba.com :: View topic - Brake caliper Girling or Ate, on a former parts bus

Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:44 pm

So my 78 custom single cab used to be a parts bus. So all of the parts are random and a lot of parts are missing.

I was having brake troubles so I'm redoing most of the system. I believe the front calipers are girlings but I'm not sure. The backing plates and springs are missing. The piston faces are flat with no notches. The calipers are marked with both a vw and audi number so I'm guessing they're aftermarket. It looks like there is a capital G or 6 or something (hard to tell) about the size of a quarter opposite of the brake line inlet which is on the side. The pins that hold the pads are definitely girling, (according to ratwells diagram) but who knows if they're the originals. I need to find a rebuild kit but don't know which to get.

Sorry, I've used the search and found over half a dozen threads that still don't clearly tell the difference. Please help.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:49 pm

oh and the one bleeder cap I have is an ate... adding to my confusion.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:33 pm

I'd just go to oreilly auto and buy a rebuilt caliper for not much more than the cost of a rebuild kit:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id...rentPage=3

Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:53 pm

Bus depot seems to have the girling rebuild kit for $11.00, rebuilds both calipers. I called them to make sure this was correct, and the guy said it came with 4 seals and 4 O-rings, so I'm hoping. We'll see when it gets here. I also have autozone ordering the hardware clips and springs for 9.99. Now the only thing that will be missing are the backing plates. Autozone has something called brake pad shims but there are no pictures...

I've gone with out the shims before and will keep an eye open for any that turn up. Either way it'll be better than what I had. My rear shoes didn't even have the retaining pins. I'm kinda amazed that it ever stopped at all with all the pieces that where missing.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:51 pm

ATE bleeder valve source or part number? '78 Bus

Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:51 pm

IMHO brake pad shims sound like it.