Hi, anyone using the SOCAL disk brake set-up yet?

peterjager · Post by **peterjager** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 5:43 pm

Hi, since i am running the Turbo motor, i would like to buy the SOCAL set-up, but would like to find out if anyone is running it and how they like it?

Any help is greatly appreciated, Peter

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:27 am

Peter, Mattt tried them and did not like. I think he ended up returning or not using. There were a lot of fit issues as I remember.
I`ll contact him to ask more about them. He should respond here. Cheers. Bob Ingman

thingow181 · Post by **thingow181** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:58 am

I bought a set from a guy who was going to build a baja and never did, and mostly installed them recently. This was a link-pin front brake kit, and I do have a link-pin front end. By mostly installed, I didnt change out the master cylinder yet. It is a very complete kit, bearings seals and the like. You do have to swap sides with the caliper brackets for them to fit correctly, I am pretty sure Matt had to do this as well. I had to take a die grinder to the brackets where they fit over the spindle snout as well. They are also very heavy (but my car is a pig anyways) Fit seemed poor to average at best, quality was average- cheapo bearings, rotors aren't all that impressive looking. For my off-road only car, and the fact that I got them for $350, I'm satisfied. No idea how they work yet, I rattled my steering column to death on the 4th of July, and gutted it again, so we're back to fabricating.

Jordan

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 1:34 am

I have yet to drive on them. I did get the issues straightened out with SoCal. Due to core shift, the machining was a little off. SoCal was Great about taking care of the problem. My opinion is that since this was from the "first batch", they were still working thru the issues. I think if you wait a few months, they will be into a new batch with all of the issues already corrected.

I like them for a few reasons, the price, replacement parts availability, and kit completeness. You cant find any other Wide 5 front discs for anywhere near that price. Calipers and pads are widely available(from an early 80s Rabbit/Golf). The kit has everything you need to do the job right.

I wouldnt hesitate to recommend them to others. I would consider waiting a few months till they get to the next batch. I had problems with the rotors mainly. The inner hub snout was rubbing on the caliper bracket bolts. They may have also rubbed on the caliper itself.

Disregard the LH and RH on the caliper brackets,,,,,its backwards.

What Im not nuts about is their weight, and the fact that you cannot run 14mm press in studs. They weigh more than the factory drum setup by about 12-15 lbs per side.

Id say for 90% of the people out there, they are a good deal. You cant beat the price, not even close. They have issues, but then what doesnt. If you are street driving, and are simply looking for decent Wide 5 front discs, I think these are the ticket.

I recently picked up a set of CNC/Neal brakes, so Im thinking about trying both the SoCals and the CNC/Neals to see the difference, if any.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:47 am

Matt I have 14mm press in studs all the way around now and like the way it works. What is it that you end up with when using the SoCal kit? Bolts again? Or 12mm studs. Thanks. Bob Ingman

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 9:06 am

You have the press in studs in drum brakes?

The SoCal kit comes pre-drilled for stock style 12mm wheel bolts. I had mine re-tapped for 14mm. I was planning on running 14mm screw in studs and tack welding them on the back side.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 12:39 pm

Matt yes thats what I have. 14mm press in studs in stock VW drums. I would be content with 14mm screw-ins with tacks on the inside. I had thought about that before. As long as they were 14mm and were fixed would be fine. I tried screw in studs without a tack and they never worked right. Even with lock tite on them and anti sieze on the lug nuts the studs wanted co come out with the lug nuts. It was a lot on money for nothing. I was using original 2 pc. Empis on my 70 panel and needed something nice looking.
Back to the SoCal discs. If you keep the good ones from thesamba give me a shot at buying the SoCals from you if you decide to sell. Thanks for helping us on this thread. Bob Ingman

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Hi, anyone using the SOCAL disk brake set-up yet?

Hi, anyone using the SOCAL disk brake set-up yet?

So-cal discs