Skip navigation

Rear drum brakes don't workhttp://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/themes/default/images_custom/ocf_emoticons__BangHead.gif

Post

Back to the top
   I've a 1984 convertible with rear drum brakes that don't work. I've  replaced springs, shoes, drum cylinder, hoses,  pipes, master cylinder and
  brake force regulator and still they don't work .  The front disc brake work fine. I've got good fluid flow to the rear but just don't work.:banghead:  I've been advised to convert them to disc. So if anybody can point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated.
 

Post

Back to the top
How do you know they don't work? Has it failed the MOT?

Not sure about %ages but the vast majority of braking effort is done by the front.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

Post

Back to the top
While the mk1 dosnt need rear discs I prefer them from a looks and maintenance point of view. You need stub axles/ discs/ calipers from a mk2 gti basically.

Post

Back to the top
Yes it has failed its mot  twice

Post

Back to the top
If a GTI, poss duff rear bias valve or fault with master cylinder?

Use the pointy screw driver thru a bolt hole trick to make sure the (non-)self-adjuster is pulled right down to take up all the slack.

Adjust pedal rod and bulkhead rods (what a wonk design) to take up wear and slack.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

Post

Back to the top
Just re-read that you have replaced M/C and bias valve.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

Post

Back to the top
More detail about the car. it's a gti 1800 dx engine. I'm not doing any mods to the engine. So brakes don't need to be over the top.

Post

Back to the top
Brake compensator adjusted correctly? Excessive travel could be from the brake bar also, adjusted mine and it improved a lot

lhasa green 83 gti tintop MOT passed Aug '14 after nearly 12 years!
Audi A6 3.0 tdi Avant Quattro Le Mans 305bhp 

Post

Back to the top
What is a brake conpensator? and where is it located

Post

Back to the top
Have you had a mechanic look at your brakes, if you are not sure what you are doing it may be better to get someone who does to have a look. Might save you money and a life in the long run.
Andy

Post

Back to the top
yeh mechanic looked at it , said fluid flow was good to the back brakes. They phoned a VW man they know he said get rid of the drums and fit discs . Just wondered if anybody else had this problem, before I convert to discs?

Post

Back to the top
When you say they don't work do you mean they register no braking force at all or is it just very low?

Did they work fine before you changed the parts? Could it be that they just need 'bedding in' a bit?

Having replaced the parts you have you need to check the rear brakes are adjusted correctly (should auto adjust but the adjusters are not very good). Then check the handbrake adjustment is correct. 

The Red Rocket! My Mk1 Tdi Build.....

My VAG family:

1982 Mk1, PD130 Tdi, 6 speed, ongoing project, to be my daily driver (one day)!
1983 Mk1, 1.8 Gti, stripped out, ongoing project, track car only.
1990 Mk1 Cabrio, 1.8 8v Turbo, G60 ECU, long term project (17 years so far)!
2008 T5 LWB, 1.9 Tdi, to be converted to camper when I've finished using it as a van!
1999 Audi A4 Avant Quattro, 2.5 Tdi, currently off the road, more work required.
2010 Tiguan R-Line, daily driver. 

Post

Back to the top
I have a 1983 1.8 GTi with the original brake set up, they will never be as sharp as a new car but i do find them fine. I am sure someone on here locally to you could point you in the direction of a garage who will know what they are looking at. I have found that a lot of places know very little about old cars but i am lucky to have found a couple of very good mechanics who work on older cars. Where are you located as there are plenty of people on here to help you out.
Andy

Post

Back to the top
One of the mechanics who looked at it served his time  at a VW dealership in 1984

Post

Back to the top
Thats fair enough he knows what he is looking at. I am out of ideas but i am sure someone here will be able to advise you more. That is the beauty if this forum. Good luck with your car i am sure you will get it sorted.
Andy

Post

Back to the top
Thanks for your comments Andy .All these comments are
Like a jigsaw, eventually I will get the big picture

Post

Back to the top
Aha the old golf jigsaw puzzle. As all things you will get there in the end. There is probably a simple explanation to your problem, it is just finding the solution. If you go down the route of changing to rear disc's you also have to quite a bit to do as far as i have seen, there are plenty of things on here about it. I would have thought it would be easier keeping the set up you have and working your way through that. Hopefully the cheapest solution, unless you are set on an upgrade which is your prerogative as it is your car. Maybe try and get hold of Rubjonny on here as he is the golf guru.
Good luck..Andy
0 guests and 0 members have just viewed this: None.