How to retro-fit the 312mm front brakes to a Mk7 Golf

[motley]

Well, I've done it too (my auto mechanic did actually) I bought all the parts on ebay due to the best price. I paid €120 plus shipping for a calliper kit that included two brake callipers, two carriers and a set of pads. I also paid €119 (shipped) for a set of Zimmermann drilled/coated discs. I considered the brembos too, but they were more expensive and heavier than the zimmermanns. The 312 mm zimmermann brake disc weights 8.3 kg while the brembo one weights 8.6 kg. In comparison, I put the old 288 mm disc on a scales and it shown 7.3 kg. So I added 1 kg to the unsprung mass which I, to be honest, didn't notice during first 80 km of driving. Here are some pics.

Again, a huge thanks to @golfdave for this amazing write up!

 

[carbon_gecko]

hey GolfDave quick question, would the caliper bracket from a mk7 passat with 312mm rotors fit as well as the gti 312MM bracket? i just wondering if the passat had a different knuckle mount.

 

[golfdave]

hey GolfDave quick question, would the caliper bracket from a mk7 passat with 312mm rotors fit as well as the gti 312MM bracket? i just wondering if the passat had a different knuckle mount.

2016 yr Passat has the same aluminium GTI knuckle....looking at the parts list cross applications...so in theory it should fit even though the part number for the bracket is different..

 

[carbon_gecko]

2016 yr Passat has the same aluminium GTI knuckle....looking at the parts list cross applications...so in theory it should fit even though the part number for the bracket is different..

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[Jdsunrise]

dang, I have a 2016 gsw fwd, how do I verify I don’t fuck it up?

I just wanted to give an update on this 312mm rotor upgrade.

It's been approximately ~1 year since Ive done this upgrade, but I have noticed that about ~2cm on the outer edge on the 312mm rotor is extra shiny.

I have investigated this in more detail tonight by taking everything apart and noticed my factory caliper part #5QM615123 (55mm diameter piston) is not evenly positioned over the brake pad. The caliper piston circumference sits right at the outer edge of the brake pad.

This means there is more pressure applied on the outer edge of the 312mm rotor than on the inner edge. Having removed and inspected the brake pads, I could clearly see the outer section of the pad being worn more than the inner section.

I wish I had noticed the position of the piston over the brake pad when I originally did the upgrade. Unfortunately now I have to waste more $$$ on new rotors, pads and (calipers part #8V0615123D which have 57mm diameter pistons) so it will be a balanced fit over the brake pads.

 

[Jdsunrise]

2016 yr Passat has the same aluminium GTI knuckle....looking at the parts list cross applications...so in theory it should fit even though the part number for the bracket is different..

Thanks for this thread golfdave, going to your grade to 312s in my gsw fwd Is38!

 

[golfdave]

dang, I have a 2016 gsw fwd, how do I verify I don’t fuck it up?

Easy... look at the calliper, on the inside rear face, facing the knuckle it will have stamped either 57 or 55...

 

[carbon_gecko]

update:

 

[Carolco]

Hello everyone and happy new year.

I want to update the brakes of my golf 1.4 Tsi from 2018 here in Tenerife. Little help around here on these issues. If I understand correctly, should I buy the two 312mm discs, pads, calipers and something else?

Would this set be okay?
https://www.ebay.es/itm/143618167490

Am I missing something else? I say this because the Ebay provider tells me that to have a professional installation I also need to change this ...

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143669799301?ViewItem=&item=143669799301

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143669794081?ViewItem=&item=143669794081

If so, can you tell me with a reference?

Are I missing screws, washers, or other accessories?

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[golfdave]

Hello everyone and happy new year.

I want to update the brakes of my golf 1.4 Tsi from 2018 here in Tenerife. Little help around here on these issues. If I understand correctly, should I buy the two 312mm discs, pads, calipers and something else?

Would this set be okay?
https://www.ebay.es/itm/143618167490

Am I missing something else? I say this because the Ebay provider tells me that to have a professional installation I also need to change this ...

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143669799301?ViewItem=&item=143669799301

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143669794081?ViewItem=&item=143669794081

If so, can you tell me with a reference?

Are I missing screws, washers, or other accessories?

Thank you very much for your help.

Go read the first few posts on the first page of this thread all info there.....

You do not need to buy those ebay aluminium knuckles as you would need to also buy new dampers as those require the 55mm diameter dampers.....you can has iron knuckles & 50mm dampers...

First thing you must do is look at the calliper on your front wheels, & especially the side of the calliper by the piston facing the inside...it should have "57" moulded on the calliper, if not then you need a new calliper.

If it says 57, then all you need are the left & right calliper carrier brackets, a pair of 312mm discs, & a new set of pads...pads should come with new bolts for the calliper to carrier. Reuse your old carrier to knuckle bolts...

 

[Carolco]

Thanks for your answer Golfdave

I finally bought this game.

I think I will encode bytes 04 (hexadecimal value 34 or 50) and 17 (hexadecimal value Al or 0A) of brake module 03.

 

[Dameon]

Upgraded to 312 rotors but went with the prodigywerks four piston caliper. Figured it wasn’t too much more than the carriers and pads.

 

[golfdave]

Thanks for your answer Golfdave

Finaly i buyed this set.

I think that I will codificate the bytes 04 (hex value 50) and 17 (hex value 0A) of 03 brakes module.

So you looked and your car callipers have 55 stamped on them??...

 

[Carolco]

57

 

[tigeo]

Upgraded to 312 rotors but went with the prodigywerks four piston caliper. Figured it wasn’t too much more than the carriers and pads. View attachment 198563

Very cool! Did you need new brake lines? Which model caliper did you go with?