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Sat Mar 20, 2004 7:55 pm

I did it. Rear wheel disc brakes.

Question ... Why do I need the backing plate in the front brakes? I see no reason and feel that they would stay cooler without it. Am I way off here?

Everett ? I ned your expert advice.

Sat Mar 20, 2004 10:37 pm

When I recently did my brakes on my Notch, I went with a set of Brembo aftermarket rotors. They had a lip on the backside of them that was just thick enough that on corners it would scrape on the backing plate. So, I removed mine. I have not ran into any problems as of yet, but havn't really put alot of miles on them.
nik

Sun Mar 21, 2004 7:52 am

Thanks Nik. I think I will try it too.

Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:17 am

So why is there a backing plate on the disc brakes?

I assume it's there to concentrate airflow on the discs/pads but I actually don't know.

I guess you could remove them, then drive down a large mountain and see if the brakes give out earlier. :twisted:

Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:25 am

I figured that they would be more for keeping rocks and debris from interfearing with the brakeing sysytem.
nik

Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:47 am

67'squareback wrote: I did it. Rear wheel disc brakes.

This is something I'm looking to do.
What kit did you use? What mods were required? How much did it cost? Did you need a proportioning valve?

Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:08 pm

Thanks Everett. Your POSITIVE resonse is well apreciated.

Who knows WHY the VW folks did it. I guess it looks better, and it does, however, these past 37 years , or so, have proven.... cooler brakes are better?

ANYWAY. The kit is a Varga disributed via Empi= $300 bucks (rear)

Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:40 pm

but they are 4 lug right? I'm wanting to do a 5 lug kit in the future after I let the bank account get back out of the red and into the black and enjoy the notch for a little bit before doing mods.

Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:16 pm

4 Lug ? Yes.