Best year to convert to Disc?

Typ311Dave · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:50 pm Post subject: Best year to convert to Disc?

I'm sure this has been discussed before, and probably a repost, but here goes....I have a 70 Westy, orig brake set-up, considering conversion to disc, understand 71 is first year disc brakes, but is there a better year to convert to? and does it really matter?
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TeamSpatula · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:25 am Post subject:

I believe 71 calipers only had one bleeder, whereas later ones had 2, but I'm not sure of the years on that - been a looooonnnnnnngggg time.
Smile

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Blu67Bug · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:43 am Post subject:

I believe that '71 & '72 Buses have the same brake parts, but whatever year you convert to, you'll need more than just the brakes themselves. For a '71, you'll also need the Master Cylinder, Proportioning Valve (in rear) and Vacuum Booster. without installing these parts, you're asking for trouble.
I think you'd be better off just getting a bus that already is setup for Power Disc Brakes.
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'67s Rule & '71 Buses Too!

Typ311Dave · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:48 am Post subject:

Karl · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:35 am Post subject:

Karl · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:40 am Post subject:

I have a 66 bus and a 67 bus with the drum brakes. I have no desire or need to install disc brakes in the front. [I also have a 76, a 77, a 78, and a 79...all Westies]

The 4 drum brakes work as good as the disc/drum later buses when the brakes are in good shape and adjusted correctly. The 66 has the single master, the 67 has the dual master. VW went dual for safety reasons.

I would do a little investigating and adjusting and bleeding 1st before I converted.....

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153

the only real difference between the 71-72, and the 73-79 is the frequency of pad changes. the 71-72 have a 10mm thick pad, while the 73-79 is 14mm thick. the square inches of contact are the same and the rotor is the same diameter. so the later ones are not more powerful

also, some of the 71s had just one bleeder while other 71s came from the factory later that year with two.

Karl · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:12 am Post subject:

The spindles are different.

211 405 311 E Left 71-72
211 405 312 E Right 71-72

211 405 311 F Left 73-79
211 405 312 F Right 73-79

The 74 caliper will not work with the 71-72 spindles.

And you have to use 73-79 rotors too (211 615 301 B).
71-72 rotors are 211 615 301 A.
http://www.bus-boys.com/bb609.htm#discs

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153

HUBS ARE THE SAME 68-79. oops, caps lock.

Typ311Dave · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject:

aggri1 · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject:

You could change the rear axles to late (Bay) style too, then you'd have 5x112 stud pattern all around and not have to carry two spares, and of course best is that you then have composite (rear) drums - for all the occasions you need to take off the drum it's much easier. Smile

Hehe, I'm leaving my '69 stock, but the split's getting disks. Those that say the drums can stop as well as the disks forget to mention that (without a booster), to make them stop you need to absolutely STAND on the brake pedal, and there's the fade issue. Go the disks! I have a '74 too, and it's so much easier to stop than either of the (non-boosted) drum setups.

Cheers, A.

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153

Blu67Bug · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject:

Let's not forget the fact that VW put Disc Brakes on their Karmann Ghias and European Beetles!! It should be obvious that VW decided to upgrade their cars with the better brakes at the point when they began to make so serious changes to their lineup of vehicles. I think they also put disc's on the Type 3's but I'm not sure. All of these brake changes occured near the end of the 60's into the early 70's.
Peace Cool

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'67s Rule & '71 Buses Too!

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5153

uh-oh, did i kill the thread?

aggri1 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

dtrumbo · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:38 pm Post subject:

toddgsanford · Samba Member Joined: January 21, 2003 Posts: 442

once upon a time i thought I might want to make the switch on my 69 sunroof i acquired all the parts off fo a 72 I parted out the tipping point for me was either replacing the beam or welding the bracket n for the master/booster from the 72 to my beam. but yes you do end up changing the rear brakes as well to make all the wheels the same. decided to go through my existing brakes and replace all the lines and wheel cylinders its stops just fine. your friendly neighborhood pull a part would be a great place to acquire all the parts at a reasonable price.


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