MK3 rear calipers for disc conversion

My project came with what i think are Mk3 calipers and carriers.  The car had been converted to 5 stud all round but i am going back to the standard 4 stud.  I'm assuming as the car has discs fitted on the back (but no calipers) that the stub axles have been changed to Mk2 ones as the MK1 ones are for drum brakes only?

Firstly, can someone confirm the below caliper and carrier is a MK3 item the caliper has 38 on it, i think Mk2 and mk3 carriers are the same aren't they?

And secondly, can i use these carriers and calipers and if so what discs do i need, is it that the disc must match the carrier, in which case can i get a standard MK2 226mm brake disc and this will be ok with the bits i have already?

Hi There

I keep wanting to fit discs to the rear of mine (when I find time) - I had the kit fitted to a previous clipper and the set up worked a treat - never had a moments problem and they gave a better feel.

The Blue calipers in the pictures are Mk3 calipers. - They are different to Mk2 - they were at the time an improvemt over Mk2 items (that were prone to seizing over time).
(From memory the hand brake cable operates differently to Mk2 items as well).

Mk2 discs will be fine.

The handbrake cable is the bit to get right - I used MK1 scirroco 16V ones - but they proved a tight fit using Mk3 calipers (mine are also MK3 items) they worked extremely well, but were a snug fit around the rear beam.  I recall seeing somewhere someone recomending using cables from a later golf maybe Mk4 ? items.  - not sure (a bit more research needed).

Remember to use new bolts when fitting (with thread lock).

Hope this helps

All the best.

After posting earlier I've done a load of reading and decided to head over to the scrap yard tomorrow morning and see if they have a mk4 golf in so I can get the calipers for a good price and then get the scirocco 16v hand brake cables as you said.  I have a set of conversion hoses with the banjo fittings in my pile of stuff. 

That way I know it will all fit, plus I'll sell the calipers and discs to pay for the new 4 stud discs and pads. 

Thanks for the help. 

mk3 and mk4 calipers are same fitment as post-87 mk2, the problem is scirocco 16v cables are designed for pre-87 mk2 type calipers. the difference is early type cable goes on the top, late go on the bottom. 2 choices, either mount the later calipers upside down or what i did was to cut 10mm off the end of the metal guide tubes under the car.

if you go mk4 calipers you'll also need conversion flexi hoses, they arnt actually any better than mk3 apart from the fact they're a bit lighter. they still corrode and suffer from siezed bleed nipples due to the caliper being alloy and nipple steel. so make sure you free the nipple before you remove!