Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Late Type 3 Front Brakes

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#993490
Hey guys,

Have got myself a Squareback. Was defected, but cleared the defect and now she's my daily driver.

Anyway, was wondering if the disc brakes I had on my '73 Super Beetle would fit the Squareback? I know that the drums would fine, but just need to clarify if the front discs will fit.

Cheers!
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

REDKG Officially Full-On Dubber

327 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#993493
If your type3 is a late model (1973) then no. They had different calliper mounting to other VWs. I think they were from the 914.

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#993494
Yeah, the Square is a 73...

Hmm, so I wouldn't be able to just use the disc itself from the brake setup I had?
I'll have to look into it a bit more, but thanks for the starting point!
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#993501
Sebastian I know it's a bit far away but I have a complete front end out of a 74,the rotors will need a skim and the calipers will need an overhaul. Let me know if you are interested,at the worst someone may be able to pick it up at Valla.

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#993511
Thanks for that Grumble.
Unfortunately I want to change the actual stud pattern (hence why using the ones off of Zelda would be helpful as that is the stud pattern I want to achieve).

Took a look quickly just before at the mounting position of the calliper on the Square, seems to be in the same position... I'm going to grab the discs and drums this weekend and just dummy mount them I guess. Hopefully I can at least test fit a rear and front wheel just to get an idea.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#993516
SebastienPeek wrote:Thanks for that Grumble.
Unfortunately I want to change the actual stud pattern (hence why using the ones off of Zelda would be helpful as that is the stud pattern I want to achieve).

Took a look quickly just before at the mounting position of the calliper on the Square, seems to be in the same position... I'm going to grab the discs and drums this weekend and just dummy mount them I guess. Hopefully I can at least test fit a rear and front wheel just to get an idea.
No worries mate good luck.

Special Air Service Chief "Gunna"

1,769 posts · joined Oct 2004 ·

#993519
I think the rotors will fit, & yes you will be able to get the rears to fit, but you will have to completely change out the complete drums hubs shoes etc as the type 3 are a wider shoe / drum. You will effectively be reducing the braking ability of the rear brakes. Normally use type 3 rears as an upgrade on a beetle, not the other way around.
Calling all NSW Mid North Coast Veedubbers

Click Below
Mid North Coast VW

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#993635
The disks are slightly bigger diameter on 72 onward. They used the same disks are type 4 and Porsche 914.

I checked a few Australian disk supplier catalogs online, but all listed the wrong earlier disks for the 72+ 🙄

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#993653
Disc and callipers are different to beetle
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#993663
vlad01 wrote:The disks are slightly bigger diameter on 72 onward. They used the same disks are type 4 and Porsche 914.

I checked a few Australian disk supplier catalogs online, but all listed the wrong earlier disks for the 72+ 🙄
Interesting. Very interesting indeed.
empi wrote:Disc and callipers are different to beetle
From what I've gathered, Airkewld's front discs are the same size for all models. However, I knew that the callipers were the same so I will be just utilising the disk hub itself.

The next thing to think about is whether I want to buy a new set of drums or just use the ones I already have. Oh well. See what happens when I pick them up on the weekend.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#993747
As said in another post above, the type 3 rears are a drive flange and a drum, 2 pieces where the beetle is a one piece unit. The bigger type 3 rears are the way to go, but the stock flanges don't take to re-drilling to another pattern well as they are already relatively weak stock. There is a cromoly version available that is the best option for upgrading or when changing stud pattern.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#993753
Ah, thanks for that Matt!

I'll have to purchase the rear drums off of Airkewld then. But need to suss out the front brakes first and see what goes on and see what happens.
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl

SebastienPeek Custom Title Time!

1,657 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#994008
So, today I decided to install the front disc brakes from Zelda on Anja. I removed the disc brakes from the struts yesterday.



I couldn't really be bothered cleaning them up as I just wanted to get them on. After a few braking cycles the rotors will clean themselves up. I need to get some brake pads that are specific for cross drilled rotors as well. Anyway, moving along. Original discs had to be removed.



I was met by a dodgy repair on the speedo cable. It had been siliconed instead of the circlip.



The next step was unbolting the brake calliper. I made up a breaker bar from my trolley jack handle. It made removing the untouched bolts holding the calliper on a lot easier.





The next step was to remove this nut that holds the rotor onto the spindle. Using an allen key and a 19mm spanner, I got this off and was faced with the biggest issue.



I grabbed the rotor from Zelda and tried to put it up on the spindle. I went to bolt it up and realised there wasn't enough thread. I then took to removing the backing plate and was faced with another issue.



The bolts that held the backing plate on.



So, out came the angle grinder and I cut them back.



Once that issue was rectified with the bolts protruding, the rotor popped straight on and bolted up perfectly. I then bolted the calliper back up, put the dust cap back on and threaded the speedo cable through. Took a few times to get the circlip working 100% but now it is fixed as Volkswagen intended.



Then I repeated the above on the other side (bar the speedo cable).



So there you have it. Running Airkewld rotors that were purchased for an L bug on a Type 3 up front.

Now to just wait for the drums...
The sold one, '73 VW 1303 - Zelda
The project, '74 VW 1303 - Gretl