ATE Front Brake Calipers.

[Bren]

Hi. I have a 1981, 2.0 which has ATE twin piston front calipers.

Someone "cleverly" fitted a N/s one on the O/s, so that the 1 and only bleed is at the bottom of the caliper, hence I cant bleed it properly.

I've been trying to source a replacement and GSF looked the best locally. But my caliper has the copper fluid pipe feed into the centre of the caliper and the replacement GSF are offering has the feed in the side. Might be a daft question, but does this matter? I cant see why it should as I will just alter or make a new copper pipe if I need to and feed it in the side. Just want to be sure there are no daft MOT laws etc that say both calipers must be the same, and have the feed in the same place etc. Or are there any operational problems this would cause. Incidently the replacement one has bled nipples top and bottom rather than just one, shame the ones on mine dont!

Look forward to your words of knowledge.

[DavidPallister]

I think the lower one is a drain rather than a bleed nipple. Are you sure the other one's nipple hasn't been snapped off at the top?

Dave

[Bren]

Hi Dave. Yes most calipers do have upper and lower bleeds, but not mine, really helpfully. I have had both calipers off the van to check, becuause thats exactly what I thought intially, that someone had snapped it off. No such luck. Definately only one bleed nipple. No hole or tapping for another. I guess thats why they sell them as specific sides, i,e near side and off side.
All I want to know is can i fit a caliper on the offside that has the fluid feed in the side of the caliper (incidentally the new side feed one does have upper and lower bleeds) whislt keeping the near side one as it is, with the feed in the centre of the caliper?
I really cant see what difference it makes, but just want to be sure.

[Aidan]

right caliper ATE still available new from VW classic parts

251 615 108

stick that number into classic parts search on VW heritage

[Plasticman]

would it bleed if you removed it from the van and inverted it, stick something in the gap so pads dont pop out, just a thought
mm

[Bren]

Thanks to you all for your replies.

I bought a replacent from GSF, a refurbed ATE one with the feed on the side. Bolted it on tonight, altered the copper pipe and screwed it in. No issues with clearances etc. Bled whole system, and job done.

Thanks again.

[PeeSG]

how did you alter the pipe? did you miss out the bracket where it joins and just connect to the caliper? i have come up against this issue today and will have to produce a new copper part.

[bigherb]

VW heritage sell a longer brake pipe for fitting to the centre inlet which are bay window callipers.
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Bra ... tartPage=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I usually make them a tad longer but make sure they clear the spring on full lock.

[PeeSG]

Cheers that is exactly what i was thinking about producing. Like an s bend twist. What do you mean longer? surely that would overshoot the entry point?

[bigherb]

No it just means you can have a gentler curve at the top end where it connects to the flexy hose.