Retrofit rear discs

[banksider50]

Is it possible to retrofit rear discs to a Fabia3 1.6?

Thanks

[cheezemonkhai]

Possibly, but you have to ask they why bother question.

The cost of fitting would be pretty high and drums actually work better as a hand brake.

I'd be looking for some performance brake pads that have a good bite from cold if I was after a bit more stopping power.

Even if you just do the front and leave the rears stock you should get an improvement. You do have to be careful that you don't leave the rear under braked but something like Mintex Extreme, EBC redstuff ceramic etc etc on the front should be fine.

[skisbp]

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

drums actually work better as a hand brake..

You do realize that the corporate VAG rear disc set-up includes a center drum brake for the hand/emergency/parking brakes... So kind of a mute point! Or have I missed the point you were trying to make?

If you'd really like to upgrade?!? Try a breakers for a full set off a 1st generation Audi TT!!!

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by skisbp

You do realize that the corporate VAG rear disc set-up includes a center drum brake for the hand/emergency/parking brakes... So kind of a mute point! Or have I missed the point you were trying to make?

If you'd really like to upgrade?!? Try a breakers for a full set off a 1st generation Audi TT!!!

The VAG rear discs do not include a set of drums on either the Octy MK I, the octy MK II or the fabia MK I that I have seen.

[Decron]

Originally Posted by skisbp

You do realize that the corporate VAG rear disc set-up includes a center drum brake for the hand/emergency/parking brakes... So kind of a mute point! Or have I missed the point you were trying to make?

You may have missed the point because there is no such thing on the Mk1 fabia, Roomster, Golf mk4 (pd100), Bora 2.0, Audi A4 (PD115) Golf mk5 (Pd105) and those are just the ones I have had apart. That being quite a cross section of recent VAG cars I would go as far to say it's not fitted to very many at all if any.

What have you seen it fitted to? Last time I saw that arrangement was on a 1993 Cavalier SRI and it didn't work properly then.

OP, as cheezemonkhai says, your better off going for a set of upgraded pads at the front, it is probably possible to upgrade the rears but the fact there is little infomation on it and the fact no-one else does it should point to the fact it's not an easy/cost effective or worthwhile upgrade.

[skisbp]

I'll make an attempt to take some pics 4 u guys later... I have this set up on my 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport! As well as on every other rear disc set-up from VAG I've seen for over a decade!!!

[faboka vrs]

Originally Posted by skisbp

I'll make an attempt to take some pics 4 u guys later... I have this set up on my 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport! As well as on every other rear disc set-up from VAG I've seen for over a decade!!!

Confussed. When I replaced my rear discs their was no such drum The handbrkae cable connected to the caliper and the calipers only pushes the pads against the disc.

My Dad's old omega had drums as well as discs. Wouldn't like to know how much they are to replace.

[faboka vrs]

Back on topic.

No point changing the drums to discs unless your after it for styling reasons. At a recent trackday a 190bhp Ford Ka with big front discs and multi piston calipers at the front only had the orginal drums at the rear.

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by skisbp

I'll make an attempt to take some pics 4 u guys later... I have this set up on my 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport! As well as on every other rear disc set-up from VAG I've seen for over a decade!!!

I'm not meaning to be rude or patronising, but I would like to see pictures. I've not seen it on golf Mk III, MK IV or Octy Mk I or Fabia MK I.

There is no drum I can see only the self adjusting mechanism. Surely the handbrake drum would be a serviceable item and I can't see it on the erm "handbook" I have for the Octy II

On Topic:

Do remember the KA is a very short car so you are unlikely to under brake it's rear axle.

The fabia II isn't much longer and I do know of some companies that do upgraded shoes (cf pads) for drums. You might be lucky and find they do some for yours at which point you could put pads and shoes on and keep it all matched up.

[Decron]

Originally Posted by skisbp

I'll make an attempt to take some pics 4 u guys later... I have this set up on my 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport! As well as on every other rear disc set-up from VAG I've seen for over a decade!!!

I hope I don't get flamed for being pedantic but....

They stopped fitting shoes to the Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v in 2002. There are no shoes listed for a 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport only pads and they are the same as the Fabia meaning it VERY unlikely that ths system is fitted to a 2004 Seat Ibiza 1.4 16v 100hp Sport I don't like derailing a thread but I like it even less when someone comes on spouting duff info.

You did similar in the Roomster forum and your were wrong then. It's not that fact you are wrong, it's just that you give the impression that that your so right everyone else is wrong and someone who genuinely needs the information could get get the wrong idea and it will cost them.

This forum has a good rep for being an accurate, friendly knowledge base. Please try to maintain this and post responsibly.

[skisbp]

Wow don't I feel !

I was led to believe this when getting trained a# of years ago selling VW's back in the States... Guess I should've been much more careful with the info. I took to be correct, just happened to be the individual I learned this from was truly knowledgeable in many other VAG facts... Also looking only externally at this rear disc set-up I allowed myself to believe that the center of the rotor was the drum for the hand/emergency/parking brake.



When I'm wrong I'm dead wrong!!!

By the way my mistake in the Roomster forum was the same was it not? Or am I in for some more.

[ap0gee]

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

Possibly, but you have to ask they why bother question.

This is a very good point. More than one Fabia vRS has ended up with rear discs like the ones in this thread due to a lack of use, and that's with a faster, heavier car to stop...

[HotVRs]

Originally Posted by faboka vrs

Confussed. When I replaced my rear discs their was no such drum The handbrkae cable connected to the caliper and the calipers only pushes the pads against the disc.

My Dad's old omega had drums as well as discs. Wouldn't like to know how much they are to replace.

It is quite cheap. My old Astra was the same, and the disc slotted up against the drum and so was replaced seperately without removing the handbrake drum. It was a rubbish handbrake though and I never left the car out of gear when parked, and then it would drag and squeal at low speed.