Correct Automec brake line kit for late Mk1 GTi?

OK, I have just ordered a brake kit from Automec, but there seemed to be some uncertainty at their end as to the correct kit to send.

Anyway they have said I can send it back if its not right, and it turned up today so I wanted to ask anyone that had bought one of these for a late Mk1 if they could check a few things for me either from paperwork or memory?

The product code for the kit they have sent me is:
GB6405

The only thing that makes me slightly uncertain is that the pipes are described as 3/16, an imperial measurement, whereas I thought they would be metric for a VW?

The pipes are marked with the following:
4.76mm x 0.91mm & 3/16 x 20G

Also the pipes appear to be numbered and bagged (left & right), but there are no installation instructions or diagrams - should there be?

Apologies for all the questions, but I want to make sure I have the right set before going any further, and time is of the essence if I am to get the car back on the road before Gaydon  8O

Cheers,

Chris

Hi - just checked my receipt and the code for the kit I bought is GB6425. Description reads 'Set VW Golf Mk1 Gti 1.6/1.8'
I've fitted it to my '83 Campaign, so guess it must be right (!)
As for the instructions, there shoud be a sheet in the box that gives the 'key' for the letters.
Cheers,
Mark

Thanks for that,

Seems like they may have sent me the wrong one  :roll: . What a pain in the derriere.

I'll ring them on Monday and see what can be done about changing it over.

The guy I spoke to on the phone implied they had about 3 different versions for a Mk1 GTi. Wish I knew the difference between the sets…. I think I'll ring back with my chassis number too.

Just out of interest were your pipes marked as 3/16, or metric size? I bought a brake fitting spanner as well that may need to go back too.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi - to be honest I can't remember what was on the pipes, but I wouldn't worry about it as so long as they have the correct unions then they should be OK.  
I got mines ages ago but do remember being offered two types. I think one was for cars without brake regulator and one was for cars with (?)  Not sure though. I'd go for the GB6425 kit if I were you as this fitted mine no problems. As far as I'm aware all Mk1 Gti's would have the same brake line configurations, so should be OK

Good luck with it,

Mark

May be two different kits for internal (pre-'80) or external brake lines front to rear.

Cheers
Rajan

OK, Just spoke to a really helpful woman at Automec who really seemed to know her stuff, and it turns out I should have been sent out the GB6425 as m6m62 suggested.

Good news is they are sending out the correct one today and will refund me when I send the other one back   .

Just need to get an Eezibleed kit and some brake fluid now - anyone got anyrecommendations for the best type of brake fluid to use?

Cheers,

Chris

I think the Mk1 uses Dot3 brake fluid… but don't know what all the 'dot' stuff is about  :dontknow:   But I just buy the Halfords stuff.. seems to stop well enough

DOT = Department of Transport (in USA) - It's a measure of the quality of the fluid - the higher the number, the higher the boiling point of the fluid (may have other advantages too, like a lower moisture-absorbtion rate, but I'm not sure).

You can get DOT 5, but it does cost more. DOT 4 is fine, and worth getting over DOT 3 (which is now considered "old-fashioned", as the technology has improved).

If you are changing your brake-pipes, you will have almost changed all of the old fluid anyway, but do ensure that you clean out the cylinders and resevoir, to get the full (undiluted) advantages of the new fluid. (No need to fully diassemble them* - all little residue is ok, but there's no point in mixing full cylinders of old stuff into the new fluid).

*If you are changing to silicone-based brake fluid (which doesn't absorb moisture, or damage paintwork, like the mineral-based fluids), you will need to clean out and dry all of the components fully.

Thanks for the info guys.

I don't think I want to get into dismantling the master and slave cylinders, as then I'll just have to strip them down and paint them too, then I'll be buying new seals and linkages, bolts……… and the bottom line is I want to get the car running for Gaydon if at all possible :-).

I'll probably go with the DOT4 stuff and maybe flush the system though once with the DOT4 to get rid of most of the old stuff.

Chris

Good plan! Hope you don't get any problems and manage to make it to Gaydon