UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello, I'm new to this forum because I'm aboutto get a G40, I thought I'd look for a specialist one. and here it is
Anyway,
I'm getting a J plater in black on 97k miles. Thing is, It's got drum brakes.
I noticed when I put my foot on the brakes they felt really vague and not a lot of good (like my old mk1 1.6 Golf GTi).
I currently have a mk2 8v Golf GTi and find the brakes are alright, but like I said they feel crap in the G40.
I work part time in Halfrauds and looked up brake shoes, it came up with brake pads too, which got me thinking. Do later G40's have disks all round as opposed to disks+ drums?
If so can I convert the axle or is it easier to just get one with the lot already on there?

If it can be converted then what are my options? just G40 calipers? or could I use Golf ones?
Or even better, could I just put a golf rear axle on there? as I have a mk2 one with mk3 brakes sitting around.

no all G40's came with the same brake setup, but its possible to fit golf disks and calipers on the back without too much trouble, they bolt on but you need to get some handbrake cables made up

But as the car is so light the rear brakes dont do much anyway, so its mainly an improvement in appearance.

Most of the braking is done on a cars front brakes anyway so you'd be better getting some decent fromt disks and pads

Wonder why it comes up with rear pads on the parts look up computer then? hmmmm....
Never mind!
It has new pads and grooved disks, also new shoes and drums too, So I suppose it could be because they ain't worn in (the car has sat for 2.5 yrs too!)
Oh well, I'll concentrate on the body for now.

The automatic rear adjusters on the back drums can be quite lethargic at times, and often need a bit of encouragement with a screwdriver to improve the brake pedal feel. The brakes on my G40 felt superb after a local garage tightened up the adjuster whilst doing the brakes, but after 500 miles or so they go back to normal again!

Just out of interest, when was the last time the brake fluid was changed? Again, this might help - if the brakes are very maintained and looked after they're not half as bad as they can be!

try this remove one wheel nut from each of the rear wheels jack up the car with a torch and a very pointy but strong item turn the wheel while looking thorugh the wheel bolt hole untill u see a long metal rod with a hole in the end and a spring attached to the end use the pointy tool push throught the wheel bolt hole and in to the hole in to the metal rod and use the wheel as levage and push up on the too just enough so you get a little drag on the drums (all this will do is to adjust the rear brakes up) once you done both sides retighten the wheel nut (110 NM) also change your brake fluid it is advise by volkswagen to change brake fluid every 2 years this due to brake fluid is hydroscopic which mean it absorbes water i am a vw mechanic so i advise you to try these first message me back if there no differance