Amazon disk brake kits?

[lumbee]

I have a 71 Super and its time for new shoes and drums. I'm starting to weigh a disk setup vs. just sticking with drums. Found these on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LOY548I/ref=psdc_15721791_t3_B00DJH0HEA

Anyone used these? Just wondering about how the price stacks up against others.

[Eskamobob1]

Price seems pretty fair, and if they are actualy the EMPI kit, the quality isn’t bad, br not the best either
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'74 - front disks/lots more work to do

[Lingwendil]

Get good bearings, seals, and dust caps to go with the kit. A worthwhile upgrade is to go for the one-piece braided stainless hoses from topline parts as well.

This is the kit I used, and it fit literally perfectly- I like the AC industries kits better.

https://socalautoparts.com/shop/brake-kits-front/d...n-4x130-2/

I bought the bearings, seals, and hoses from topline, and it was a really easy install.

If you're thinking about swapping struts, or replacing bushings, do it while you've got it in the air, I think everything took four hours or so.

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73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[lumbee]

Thanks for the link to socal and the pics. Looks like the socal kit has Amazon beat by a mile on the price.

[Tim Donahoe]

Lumbee,

If you look further down the Amazon page, there is a kit that’s $249.00. It’s for 4-lug Super Beetles—not Porsche 5 lug, or Chevy. But, I’m assuming you have 4-lug stock 15 inch wheels.

The So, Cal kit doesn’t have brake lines, a few important bolts, and I didn’t see any washers (spacers) to center the rotor in the caliper. So, if you get Topline’s flexible lines, and all the other stuff, you may as well buy Topline’s complete kit. Complete means you get every single thing you need, including new FAG bearings and seals, stainless steel flexible lines and the brackets to hold them.

As far as the front Empi brand disc conversion is concerned, I got it for Christmas about five years ago. It’s a well-machined, quality product. But, I had to buy brake bending tools, and new seals. Stops on a dime, though.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[mikec4193]

So once you do the disc brake swap what are you guys using for a new master cylinder?...I thought there was a residual valve that had to go on the master cylinder to keep a little drag on the front brake shoes??...No ???

MikeC
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Dad bought his first Beetle on Dec 17, 1953.

[Lingwendil]

I've been using the stock style master on mine, no issues.
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73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[Tim Donahoe]

I had a leak in my old master cylinder, so when I replaced my front drums with a disc conversion, I bought a stock German mc from Wolfsburg West.

You don’t need a larger mc unless you go with a 4-wheel disc conversion. Some owners don’t install a larger mc, even with a 4-wheel disc setup.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[lumbee]

Thanks all of the info. I ended up going with Socal. The price was better from what I could tell (yes, I'm a cheap bastard). I have a leaky master cylinder in addition to needing to replace the rear drums and shoes. About $500 for everything including shipping. I will report back after I get everything installed. I'm slow, so it may take a few weeks...or months

Here was the price breakdown:

Disc Brake Kit, Front, Fits Stock Drum Spindles, 4-Lug (VW Pattern - 4x130) 1 $185.95
Brake Drum, Rear, 4-Lug (VW Pattern - 4x130) 2 $93.90
Brake Shoes, Rear 1 $17.96
Master Cylinder, Dual Circuit 1 $32.95
Wheel Bearing Install Kit, Bug/Ghia '6/'68-'79, Front Drum/Rotor, Inner and Outer 1 $26.49
Subtotal: $357.25
Shipping: $121.56 via Ground (UPS)
Tax: $0.00
Payment method: Credit Cards
Total: $478.81

[Lingwendil]

You bought the kit specifically for super beetles, right

You need new hoses too, these are what I used, it keeps you from having to bend hardlines and have multiple connections-

http://toplineparts.com/usa/stainless-steel-braided-teflon-brake-lines-ft.html

The kit doesn't come with hoses, and the disc setups need to be longer than the drum setups up front.


Was your master cylinder in need of replacement? The stock super beetle ones work fine with discs.
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73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[lumbee]

Got the kit you linked to in your initial post.

Yeah..had a leaky MC...was leaking where the electrical/brake light connects to the MC.

[Lingwendil]

Make sure you adjust the master cylinder pushrod at the pedal once you swap out the master.

A quick tip for this kit, some people say that you need a pressure bleeder, and it's not strictly required. Once you have everything hooked up and installed, tighten all the hoses, overfill the master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid, crack the bleeders open, let it sit about 30-40 minutes (lunch break? beer-30?) and then close them all up, top it off, and start bleeding. I managed to bleed all four wheels with a helper on the pedal in about 30 minutes. Easy Peasy

Installing disc brakes up front was probably one of the best improvements I've made to my car, so much nicer. I can lock up all four wheels if needed now

Like earlier mentioned, if you need to replace any bushings or anything, or lower it on new struts, or even just refresh your strut cartridges, now's the time.
_________________
73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[lumbee]

Quick shout out to the dudes at SoCal parts. I ordered the wrong master cylinder (was not for a super) and they called to make sure I had what I needed!