This is a discussion that Chris and I had last week.  Someone had told him
that the 86-91 brake setup was superior to the earlier (80-85) ATE setup and
that he would be better off "upgrading" to the newer style stuff on his '85
when he got a chance.  So he called me and I compared the two braking
systems.  Here is what I discovered:

1. Calipers are about the same size and although the newer style caliper is
free floating the older style caliper has two pistons instead of one (isn't
more pistons supposed to be better?)

2. The older style front discs are a good 1/2-3/4" bigger in diameter than
the newer style discs (isn't bigger disc diameter supposed to translate into
more stopping power?).

3. The newer style discs are about 1/8" thicker than the older style discs.

So which system is better?  I don't know but I wonder if the change in
brakes had more to do with VW changing brake parts suppliers and not so much
with actually improving the braking system?  Anyone else have input?

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of mark drillock
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 3:50 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: '86 up brake improvent on vanagon??

Better stopping power with the 86 and newer front brakes. Larger caliper
and pads, floating type mounting.

front brake parts that were changed from 85:
1. caliper
2. rotors
3. brake hoses
4. steering knuckle

Mark

JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/9/03 1:30:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> lbusch@IX.NETCOM.COM writes:
>
> > An oh yeah, I forgot to mention the brake improvement starting in '86.
> > Going from my '85 to the '90 it was the first thing I noticed, big
> > difference.
> >
>
> what improvement? arent the earlier front calipers dual piston??
> chris