Rear caliper options

[ripp]

Would like to rebuild my rear calipers but been reading that they're a pain to put back together.
Remember seeing a 1*2 with smth like 197 rear calipers (I think as he also had brembo fronts) and was curious if this is easily doable or not.
Or any other compatible caliper instead of the old 80's bendix stuff.
Cheers!

 

[Usr117063]

Mk3 non sport rear hubs and discs with 197 calipers. I would do this if I could get it all for cheap but am just going to rebuild the calipers for now

 

[JamesBryan]

Just fresh seals inside and maybe pistons work wonders. You don't have to mess with the handbrake mechanism at the back.

Easy enough to do.

 

[ripp]

Yeah this is the first thought - rebuild the caliper- but always had the impression that it's a poor design compared to - say the 197 rear caliper.
But I may be wrong and the std unit refurbished should be good?
I'm having poor brake performance and want to sort the calipers and fluid before dealing with abs module /or master cylinder stuff

 

[DomP182]

I've just done my 172 rears, easy and like @jamesBsaid leave the handbrake seals alone except for the covering boot

 

[JamesBryan]

All the ones I've rebuilt have pulled 160kg each on the MOT rollers, which is about as good as you can get.

 

[ripp]

All the ones I've rebuilt have pulled 160kg each on the MOT rollers, which is about as good as you can get.

What is the piston diameter? I can find 30 or 32mm seals but which is the one?
Thx!

 

[JamesBryan]

What is the piston diameter? I can find 30 or 32mm seals but which is the one?
Thx!

30mm

The BiggRed kit is the one to get.

 

[DomP182]

Yep get the Bigg Red kit, FYI they are loads cheaper on eBay than on their site