Greg69 Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 My FW special edition has failed its MOT due to the offside rear caliper not working correctly when the handbrake is applied. Its fine from the regular brakes but apparently I need a new one. You have to buy them as a pair from Westfield so just wondering if anyone has a red Golf offside rear caliper they want to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 Have you checked the cable is free and pulling correctly from behind the lever to both callipers? Before you spend any money. Is it a Golf Mk4 rear calliper or a Hispec rear calliper? Pics would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg69 Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Hi Ian, thanks for getting back to me. I've attached a picture. I believe its a golf MK4 type based on the picture on the Westfield site and discussions on here. The MOT guy said he stripped down the handbrake assembly thinking that it was a minor problem but then concluded it needed a new caliper. I must admit I'm a bit miffed that a minor sounding problem with the handbrake is going to turn into a £400 need to buy 2 new calipers. I did wonder if its possible to just replace the offending part of the calliper that attaches to the handbrake cable. Apparently its a common problem on cars that are not driven regularly. Any thoughts gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 Those are made by Hi Spec, and branded for Westfield, Hi aspects may well be able to repair them, if they’re faulty. How well do you know/trust the MOT place? It’s quite possible what they’ve told you may just have got a bit lost in translation, but if not, something sounds wrong in what’s been said. The Handbrake system is incredibly basic/simple, and while it does cause issues, it can be adjusted normally, but it’s not obvious how it’s done, if you don’t already know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 The handbrake uses two spot pads operated by the lever assembly on the calliper. They can stick with lack of use and I doubt it needs a new calliper. attached is the procedure for adjusting them The inner grub screws hide behind the hand brake cable. So you need to release the cable by undoing the pin holding it to the lever first. You can send them back to Hispec for an overhaul, if you don't want to fix it yourself. There's a good diagram here: http://www.hispeccalipers.co.uk//svaultralite.html Was your MOT guy a kit specialist? HiSpec Brake- Setting up and adjusting the SVA HB.pdf 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg69 Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Thanks guys. The MOT was just done at a local garage...not kit car specialists. I think it does sound like more of a case of adjusting them rather than replacing if the brakes are working fine...which they are. I'll print out these notes and take them to the garage and show him. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg69 Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Sorry one question. Why are they called Golf callipers on the Westfield website? https://parts.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/suspension-braking/brakes-calipers-discs?product_id=91 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigib76 Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 I am no expert but guess that is the type of upright / hub that they mount on to hth craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg69 Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Ahhh, makes sense. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted December 9, 2020 Share Posted December 9, 2020 Craig is correct, it's just the mounting bolt spacing and alignment. Older Westfields had uprights suitable for Sierra style callipers, current cars use Golf style uprights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 8 hours ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said: Craig is correct, it's just the mounting bolt spacing and alignment. Older Westfields had uprights suitable for Sierra style callipers, current cars use Golf style uprights. Here's the Golf version - and the Sierra version- So it's not the mounting lugs that differ, as I previously thought it's the distance from the centres of the mounting lugs to the disc outer edge. ie. 52.3mm on the Sierra and 59mm on the Golf What I don't know is the distance of the calliper mounting lugs from the centre of the hub. I suspect this differs too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg69 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 Just want to say thank you gents. I took the info from here to the garage and they quickly managed to sort out the caliper with no need for me to shell out for a new one! MOT passed. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 18 minutes ago, Greg69 said: Just want to say thank you gents. I took the info from here to the garage and they quickly managed to sort out the caliper with no need for me to shell out for a new one! MOT passed. @Greg69 good to hear it's been sorted and cheaper than planned. What exactly did he need to do to resolve it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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