VW411/412 front wheel brakes

gandalf71 · Post by **gandalf71** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 3:43 am

Hello Guys!

I´m Michael from Germany and new in this forum, I read threads for a long time and decided to register now.
I have a question concerning the VW 411/412 braking system: Where there any changes at the front callipers and disks before and after the ´72 models?

Regards,
Michael

LeeM · Post by **LeeM** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:07 am

Hi Michael

The 411 / 412 (Type 4) up to, and including 72 had Type 3 calipers and discs. After 73 the discs, calipers and pads were enlarged. The later pads are almost 50% thicker than the earlier ones, (when new!!), so they last better as well as lasting longer.

Lee

MchAlf · Post by **MchAlf** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 12:36 pm

Hi' Grandalf71.

I don't think it is possible.
With the new brake caliper and disc from aug. '72 they moved the calibers mount position 12mm further inwards, so the offset is different to the older calipers.

Grüsse

MchAlf.

gandalf71 · Post by **gandalf71** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 11:55 pm

Hi Lee,

thanks for that quick reply. I did some research in the internet concerning that issue and there is still one question left:
Do the later (14mm pads) callipers, fit on the early type (10mm pads) brake discs and wheel hubs???

Cheers,
Michael

Roland Kunz · Post by **Roland Kunz** » Sun Apr 07, 2002 6:50 pm

Hello

Now afir the Type 4 shared the front brakes with the 914.
The late type 3 got the type 4 brakes.

Grüsse

ray greenwood · Post by **ray greenwood** » Wed May 15, 2002 11:10 pm

Actually thats not quite exact. Although the calipers were similar in type 3 and 4 (early) the type 4 had four bolt calipers. Some of the type 3 had two. Also all type 3 calipers used the center pin wedging adjustment assembly internal behind the piston. The type 4 did not. Type 3 calipers will interchange with early type 4 and vica-versa, but the early type 4 caliper was stronger. Also there were small differences in the rotors..but not serious. The late model...Aug. 72 and up were much better on the type 4 and did not fit the type 3. There is a different offset to the rotor and a differnt steering knuckle and control arm assembly on the later type 4. Ray

Davidf · Post by **Davidf** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:25 pm

Hello, this week i dissanble my front caliper, the brake pad and the caliper look the same i had on my 1971 wesfalia camper.I dont have my west anymore to check .I have a 412, 1973, i bought the car last week.

ray greenwood · Post by **ray greenwood** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 3:15 pm

David, if you have a 412...it would be after august of 72. That would be when they started with the 14mm brake pad and associated caliper and rotor. They should be relatively easy to find parts for. If you decide to use calipers/rotors from an earlier model (411) you will need to get the steering knuuckles at the very least. Also the late model control arms and 412 steering knuckles were a bit differnt. They had an extra 5 dgrees of static castor built in...which really helped handling, so always replace your control arms and steering knuckles in pairs from wherever you get them. Ray