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Feature
Articles - Hot VWs - January 1998
BEAUTIFUL BINDERS
Increase your Volkswagen's stopping power with CB Performance
Products' bolt-on, fifty-state "street legal" rear disc brake
kit
by Jeff Holifield
Contrary
to what this article looks like, it is not about how to install
rear disc brakes, or, at least, that's not what this story is
all about. It's about why you're going to spend hundreds of dollars
to upgrade to disc brakes, when your drums seem to be doing an
adequate job. If you want to know how to install some trick rear
disc brakes, check out the photos on the next three pages. As
you can see, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to install
the brake kit from CB Performance. If you're capable of doing
a brake job on a VW's rear drum brakes, you can install this kit.
I can hear you asking now,
"why do i need disc brakes (particularly rear), and why CB's
kit?" Let's start with the easy one first - why use the rear
disc brake kit from CB Performance, especially when there are
other, less expensive kits? Good question. And here's just as
good of an answer:
A) CB's
kit comes complete, except for new brake handline (which you may
or may not need).
B) CB's
kit is well engineered, using strong, steel hubs and stiff caliper
brackets.
C) CB's
kit uses commonly found, off-the-shelf rotors that are available
at parts houses around the globe. And, most importantly of all...
D) CB's
kit uses brand new, OEM rear calipers with an integral parking
brake mechanism.
We could go on, but why bother.
If "D" didn't cinch it for you, then you're missing
out.
Above, the CB Performance
rear disc brake kit is one of a kind! Not only is it the most
"complete" kit we've seen in recent years, but it uses
a genuine, OEM rear brake caliper with integral parking brake.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE CENTER, disassembly of the rear drum system
is a snap, as there's no need to remove the brake components from
the backing plate. The only caution here, is to first untorque
the large axle nut while the tire is still mounted and the VW
is firmly on the ground. Then raise the VW onto jackstands, remove
the drum, disconnect the brake line, remove the bearing cover,
and lift the backing plate off.
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Before going any further,
remove the large steel spacer (don't throw it away), old O-ring,
and flat washer from the splined axle shaft. Also, the large
O-ring located around the bearing O.D. needs to be removed,
and the face of the axle tube end casting (the actual bearing
housing) should be cleaned of all oil and gasket material.
ABOVE LEFT, begin by opening one of the new axle seal kits
and install the large, flat washer against the bearing. CENTER,
next the small O-ring is rolled on until it touches the washer.
RIGHT, the bearing's outer spacer is then installed, with
the innner chamfer toward the bearing, and the outer chamfer
facing outward.
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ABOVE LEFT, next to be
installed is the large O-ring, followed by CB's custom caliper
bracket. A good deal of time was spent designing and testing
the sturdy, cast aluminum bracket, as any deflection would
diminish the effectiveness of the disc brakes. Note the thickness,
and use of ribs to resist flexing. CENTER, remove the old
seal from the bearing cover, and throuroughly clean. Reinstall
the oil deflector (looks like a large, thin washer) and the
new axle seal that came with the kit. With the CB axle bearing
retainer shim in hand, grease on side lightly with wheel bearing
grease. Place the shim in the bearing cover, with the greased
side resting on top of the axle seal. RIGHT, holding the caliper
mount in place, add the paper gasket to the face.
ABOVE LEFT, still holding
the caliper mount, replace the bearing cover and snug the
10mm bolts. A word to the wise here: over the years, VW used
two different grades of bolts to secure the bearing cover
in place. Specification 10K bolts, which are torqued to 43
ft-lbs., and specification 8G bolts, that can take only 31
ft.-lbs. of torque. Obviously, spec. 10K is the strongest.
If your bolts are 8G, we highly recommend switching them to
spec. 10K bolts, as these fasteners take a majority of the
braking forces. CENTER, next the hub is slid on (along with
a spacer on some installations). The axle nut is then installed,
but only hand tight at this time. RIGHT, CB offers two different
bolt patterns - VW 4 lug, and Porsche 5 lug. Some other patterns
are available by special order.
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