Has anyone put on one of the AC Industries disc brake kits?

[fasth2]

Been thinking of trying one of these out and wanted to know if anyone has put a front or rear kit on yet? If so what do you think of it?

[uberautowerks]

-I've installed several AC kits on various VW, including a couple of Things. The front Thing kit is excellent, it really makes a huge difference in stopping.
-However you MUST have 15" wheels! Other than that, install is super easy and the parts quality is good, except for the master (I'd recommend a German master).
-Just make sure you get the left bracket on the left and so on. The first time I set the left on the right it interfered with the spindle and I freaked until I realised my mistake.
-I have to add that the rear kit is nice too, but, doesn't add to the brake performance in a way that is equivalent to it's price. (Does that make sense? - In other words stick with your rear drums, unless you drive backwards a lot!!!)
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--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
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'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[63ziggy]

I installed a full set front and rear on a 63 Beetle project. First time and first real experience. I thought it was a nice kit overall. Fairly straight forward bolt on kit. Fitting the pads into the calipers without any instructions did test me for a while.

I am considering trying a set on my 74 Thing project. Trying decide where to put the monies with so much mor eto do on the project.

[uberautowerks]

Before stepping up to discs on my personal Thing, I tried Kymco's semi-metallic shoes all around. Verdict... almost as good (until they get wet!!).
_________________
--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
---
'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[74 Thing]

I too run the semi metallic brakes on mine with steel braided brake lines-big difference in stopping power but still bad in really rainy weather!!

[scso336]

i put a set of discs on my 74 thing last month for some reason they are squeaking real bad I think they still have air in them they stop good though

[uberautowerks]

The squeak is NOT from air. Most likely some misaligned hardware.
_________________
--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
---
'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[doublecanister]

Hey all,

I just got one of these (Front disc )kits from Santa for Christmas.

I PM'd a few folks who I know are familar with this kit, but since I found
this post (actually found somthing in a search this time!).

I Thought I'd ask, for Those who run with the A.C. Industries kit,

Any First Time installer suggestions?

My current all drum setup works, no leaks, but doesnt stop like I'd like it to. Master Cyl dont leak, one comes in kit...

Should I do the master cyl swap?
I hear it's larger than the stock one.

Can I just do the caliper installs and be good here?
(I mean just the disc/calipers and no master cyl)

What do I ask for (in future) for replacement disc brake pads?
69 Beetle? or somthing like that??
Obviously this stuf isnt THING stuff, just not sure it it's Ghia or
Beetle (master cyl and disc parts)

What about the Drum back plates, do ya use them with the new Disc's
or do ya get a diff back plate?

Never done disc's on Vw before much less a swap out/ conversion,
I have done the 66 Mustangs brakes in the past, complete new system with SS lines, so I'm no virgin to brakes but, this is a bit different and
I'd like to do a quality job and do it 1 time.

Thanks in advance here for any suggestions and help yall.

PS: Happy New year to all!

T.
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[Semper_Dad]

Check out the master cylinder that came with the kit. If you have a good working orignal German master cylinder, I wouldn't replace it with any Brazilian or Chinese made one.
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[locky]

I went with the AC kit front and back. They were super easy to install. I did have a small issue installing the E-Brake cable, but I figured it out. I had a washer on that I wasn't suppose to and that was stopping me from getting the cable in it's mounting hole. Instructions would be nice because they include some hardware that isn't necessary, and you have to trial and error it. They also sent me the wrong length cable, so I had to shorten it. I also didn't recieve the proper mounting bracket with the kit I had to call and tell them they fogot it. Seems like they are not as familiar with the Thing kits as the bugs, which is understandable. Make sure if you order the kit that you make sure the proper length cable and the mounting brackets are included. I haven't used them yet, so no feedback there. I used my old M|C. I talked to one of the guys at SoCal and he said it would work fine. Also installed some braided cables and new lines all around as well as cleaning out the old cylinder. I will post on my forum when I test them. Lockys build up. There are some pics of them installed there. I didn't use any backing plates. I tried K-Manns way by using ghia plates and cutting them to fit, but it seemed too tight so I pulled them off. As far as pads, I am pretty sure they are Ghia pads but you could call Socal and they could tell you for sure.
I have never done any brake work and had little problems, of course I haven't tested them yet but it went smooth. You have some brake experience so it should be a no brainer.
Keep it posted
Good luck.

[Fun 181]

Hi Tom,
got your PM. I'll answer whatever I can here...

Any First Time installer suggestions?
The AC kit was a simple bolt-on operation. I've found that 99% of automotive parts/kits don't include directions. Probably for liability reasons more than anything else. The AC kit was a replacement for the poorly produced "other kit" (whose name shall remain unmentioned) that I had installed. After removing the junk kit, installation of the AC kit was easier as I already knew how everything was supposed to go together.

Should I do the master cyl swap?
As mentioned, go for the German-made master cylinders and avoid the cheap Chinese-made crap (EMPI, etc.).

Can I just do the caliper installs and be good here?
Not sure what you mean here. You need to install everything in the kit.

What about the Drum back plates, do ya use them with the new Disc's
or do ya get a diff back plate?
I didn't retain anything from the old drums (back plates, master cylinder, etc.).

What do I ask for (in future) for replacement disc brake pads?
69 Beetle? or somthing like that??
I'd look for a name/part number on the pads, and replace exactly what was supplied - I wouldn't go by a generic make/model to get a part. If you can't find anything then I'm sure SoCal auto (who distributes AC Inc parts) will carry them, or point you in the right direction for replacements.

Never done disc's on Vw before much less a swap out/ conversion,
I have done the 66 Mustangs brakes in the past, complete new system with SS lines, so I'm no virgin to brakes but, this is a bit different and
I'd like to do a quality job and do it 1 time.
The e-brake cable may take some adjustment and was probably the biggest PITA of the whole job. Going slow and taking your time is the best bet. The only thing I can think of adding was a little loc-tite on the bolts holding on the calipers. As far as the bearings go, I did those a few weeks before installing the kit, and used the good German kind (Danish to be exact) so I didn't need the ones supplied in the kit.

Plenty of pics are posted in the gallery and previous posts that may help.
Good luck and have fun!
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[doublecanister]

Well, Thanks for those who answered so far,

I'll keep digging for info, prob wont get to start this project till
this weekend or later.

I suppose what I was trying to clearify in my prev post was is this kit
lcomposed of Ghia parts (Master cyl and disc calipers and pads)?
If so what year??

You know for trying to get replacement parts down the road, cant ask for Stock THING stuff.....

anyways, sounds like the Wife picked a decent kit so stay tuned Ill do the install and hollar if I get stuck.
Thanks Yall.

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[Solomon Grundy]

Is this the AC Industries kit you are talking about?

http://www.socalautoparts.com/product_info.php?pro...8250394fd9

If not please link so I know what kit we are talking about.

Thanks and Happy New Year Volks.
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[icekoffee]

I am thinking about buying two sets of these disc brakes. One for my stock set up thing and one for my lowered thing. Looks like it is the same kit for both. (stock 69-77 beetle spindles on the dropped thing)

I have never done disc kits on any of my past vws... My beetle seems to stop just fine with drums but I have never been very happy with drums on my things. Looks like these are just the ticked to solve the problem.
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1956 Dove Blue Kombi
1956 Oval Rag
1958 Patina Beetle EJ25
1959 23 Window
1961 Rag Beetle
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1963 Doubleturd
1963 Standard Bus
1964 Lifted Mouse Grey Standard
1965 Standard Walkthru
1967 21 Window
1968 Double Bubble
1970 Beetle
1973 Beetle
1983 GTI

[uberautowerks]

[Solomon Grundy]

[sjhotz]

Has Anyone had success installing the AC Industries on these style 14 inch rims?

Just spent a busload on tires and rim repair.

[Captain Spalding]

It says in bold type below the description that 15" wheels must be used. I know your 14's aren't stock but I would assume that they wouldn't work with the AC kit.

[sjhotz]

Yup Capt. saw that. I just remember reading a post somewhere where a guy mentioned he had luck making the caliper fit with a 14 inch after-market rim, searched and can't find it, was just hoping to get a few opinions.

[lowsquare]

Got the AC kit on mine. I really do like them. I originally had them with my stock beam. I've since gone to a type 1 ball joint beam that I both narrowed and installed adjusters on. The brakes swapped right over to the stock bug spindles...no problems.

I do know that the calipers seem to barely clear my 15" wheels up front...can't see how they would work with 14's.
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1973 THING