Why are VAG rear calipers crap???
 

Hi

i had a new rear caliper in January 2008 and it has already siezed. I had both rear calipers deseized in April 2009 and the handbrake has approx 4" of free travel before it moves the calipers (ie slack cable) . Both cables are fine.

Speaking to my mechanic he said late 80s early 90s VAG rear calipers always seize (the reason why people put golf mk4 calipers on golf mk2).

Can any later audi calipers be fitted to the rear of my 1990 audi 100 quattro???

Let me guess - seizure is determined by MOT, right? That guy, who inspects your car, turns rear wheels, sees that they turns with some restriction so "calipers are seized"?

Actually no. They were sorted out for the MOT in April 2009 when a new handbrake cable was fitted (the other side handbrake cable was done in January 2008).

They have just got worse since then.

Basil, So my 1990 car has the same calipers as a high performance S4 from 1998-2000??? Our 1999 A4 tdi didn't have any caliper problems in 5 years and 50000 miles. I would just like my handbrake to not have 4" of travel in the lever!!!! I will look into it more

cheers
steve

found this link which mentions 200 quattros

http://www.s-cars.org/postnuke/modul...rder=0&thold=0

U are having problems with guide pins or calipers itself? :confused:

Handbrake lever travel is cured by adjusting adjustment nut.

if you remove the calipers and remove the handbrake lever spring and spray some form of freeing agent into the caliper so it runs down the arm and work the arm backwards and forwards it usually
frees the arm as it builds up crap, this maybe of help to you

When you re-fitted them did you wind back the cylinders?
That caught me out the first time.

Hi Karl

it wasn't me that did the work but the guy who did is very experienced with VAG cars.

The brakes were fine for a couple of months.

PASS.:confused:
Sorry,can,t help.

The procedure vag80 dave posted is the same as the link I put in so I will ask my mechanic to do that.

Cheers

steve