disk brake convertion

[steveo61]

would like to convert a69 double cb to front disk brakes what are my options?

[mnskmobi]

[jpstewart19]

Reach out to aeromech (see link posted above) he is ultrafriendly and very helpful. Last year I was setting up my dual battery but was a bit confused, and he was very patient helping me get my head out of my ass.
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1985 Vanagon Westfalia Subie
1972 Super Beetle Convertible
1990 Vanagon GL "Winston" (Sold)
1980 Vanagon Westfalia “Rusty” (Sold)
1982 Vanagon Westfalia “Rusty II” (Sold)
1977 Smurf Blue Campmobile (Sold)

[grandpa pete]

has anyone tried swapping a 70 front beam, with all the disc brakes attached, onto a 69 bus...besides the wheel adaptors what else would I run into???
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[busdaddy]

[grandpa pete]

70-71 i wuz close as always appreciate your vast knowledge mr BD...a bolt up exchange would have been nice..I think I.ll write VW a letter and tell them....
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[rubbachicken]

you can put any late bay hubs on a '68 bay ball joint beam
i have put '78 bay hubs rotor and calipers on a '68 bay beam for my old chickensplit bus
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

[Tom Powell]

I put front disc brakes on my '69 camper and posted my experiences.
Aloha
tp

[steveo61]

OK so ill just need to find the whole rotor and calipers set of a late bay and put them on the 69 double so just remove the whole spindal assumbily and replace with late ones? Anything else needed in the change over?

[aeromech]

[aeromech]

To the OP. try just doing the booster install first and see what you think. You can always add the calipers to the front later on. Right now I'm doing my 4th booster install and all my customers have been happy.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[grandpa pete]

How much is the conversion kit aeromech? is it a bolt in kit or do I have to have anything welded?
_________________
63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[aeromech]

[68bajabus]

hey aeromech!
thanks for all the great info and help... i was looking into a front disk conversion, but i'm going to take your advice and install the booster first. sounds like a good first step that's less expensive and time-consuming. i have a friend going to san diego this week... is there a source for a rebuilt booster down there that my buddy could walk out the door with? i am in bend, oregon and will be flying back to pittsburgh in late sept. (where i drove the bus last fall) to visit parents and work on the bus. there are virtually no parts or vintage vw infrastructure left in pittsburgh. the bugs and buses have all rotted and the mechanics have closed up shop. thanks again for your help!

[68bajabus]

ps... do i need to buy a new master cylinder, too? i have heard only 73-79 are available. i think my mc is a fairly new oem from 2005 or 2006.

[68bajabus]

one more question... once you install the booster, are you set up to eventually continue with a front disk brake conversion? people have said here that a booster is essential with the front disk conversion. the booster install would work for the front disk conversion, too, i guess? thanks for the great info!

[aeromech]

hey there,
i posted a reply to your brake booster post on the forum. i am looking for a source for rebuilt brake boosters to install one on my 68. my friend is going to san diego this week and would pick it up, if it was an out the door rebuild... also wondering if i need a new mc... if you get a chance, i would be so grateful if you responded to the post. and that way, the info is there for others.
thanks again!
68bajabus

Okay, here goes....

There is no source here in SD for "rebuilt boosters". There is however a shop here that rebuilds your booster. So first find yourself a rebuildable booster and then find a shop to rebuild it for you. The place I use is called "Bush Power Brake".

Bush Power Brake Service
25 E 17th St Ste A
National City , CA91950
(619) 474-8906

Find someone who's parting out a 1971+ bus and buy the booster, old MC with lower reservoir, and the rod that runs from the booster to the brake pedal.

I always install a new master cylinder and the ones I use fit the 1971 bus. They are available from Brazil I believe and work just fine for about $45 or so. You'll also want to buy a couple new rubber bungs that go in the top of the MC and hold the lower reservoir.

Most people want front disk brakes because they like the way they stop and maintenance is easier. When you install just the booster you'll find much easier braking but you'll still have the higher periodic maintenance that goes along with drum brakes. None of the booster conversions I've done have gone on and installed the disks because people are satisfied with just the booster.

I hope this helped,
Gary
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[68bajabus]

thanks so much, gary! gonna start looking. i'll let you know how this goes...