[T3] Brake Calipers

[Jim Adney]

The difference between early and late calipers comes up here about 
6-10 times a year, and is well covered in the Bentley, including the 
difference in torques that the different mounting bolts require.

Likewise, the difficulties in disassembling a front axle beam. That 
also comes up here often. That is DEFINITELY not the simple solution 
you're looking for. Going that route so that you can install 
undersize Beetle calipers would be foolish, especially since I doubt 
you have any idea of how complicated and time-consuming that job will 
be. It also takes some special tools, and can be hazardous if you 
don't know what you're doing. And, as Dave pointed out, there is 
always the chance of damaging some hard to find part.

You're looking for a simple solution. The simple solution would have 
been to send me your calipers to rebuild and find alternate 
transportation for 7-10 days. Yes, depending on a 44 year old car as 
a daily driver is probably expecting too much. There are just going 
to be times when a quick simple fix won't be possible.

I told you that I much preferred to rebuild and return your calipers, 
so that you would get back exactly what you needed. If you had bought 
calipers outright from me, without telling me about your '73 front 
axle beam you would have gotten correct Type 3 early calipers. They 
still wouldn't have fit.

Here's what I can offer you. I'm willing to sell you a pair of 
correct late Type 3 calipers. They will look identical, but they 
aren't quite the same. They will be marked L & R. You must mount them 
as marked. They won't be cheap, but if you send me your old calipers 
afterwards, I'll give you an appropriate core refund. That refund 
will range from $0-30 per caliper, depending on what I find when I 
get them apart. I believe you mentioned that one of yours had a 
broken bleed valve. Note that this automatically reduces its value by 
$20, just because it's so much extra work to replace. Note also that 
I won't accept early calipers in place of late ones, but I will 
accept early ones IN ADDITION to late ones, so you can send me more 
than 2 if you wish.

Let me know if you're interested. I have rebuilt calipers ready on 
the shelf.

Jim

On 12 May 2015 at 18:30, J. Jonik wrote:

> To save time and so I don't miss deadline for state inspection, I got two new brake calipers from a place recommended by a VW mechanic in the next state.
> Slight problem, the holes for the mounting bolts are too small for the bolts. Apparently, I forgot to mention that my axle beam is a '73, though the car's a '71.  Who knew there'd be a difference?So, if the holes line up with the thread holes in the axle assembly, could those caliper holes simply be drilled out wider to accommodate the bolts?
> Then...before I make the calipers un-returnable, are there any other surprise differences?  
> Only difference I spot is that the two pins that hold in the pads are a different design.

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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