Brake Rotors

[Jetta Fan]

I tried to search this one and found lots of info for the older VWs, but I didn't find much related to my 97 Jetta.

I want to run vented rotors on the front of my Jetta. I do know I need to run the thinner pads for those rotors. Will the vented rotors/pads fit with my current caliper or will I have to change those as well?

A local parts shop lists both for my car, but after digging a bit further, they realized the vented ones were for a TDI, not TD.

Ay help would be appreciated.

[lord_verminaard]

They should be vented already.  For the A3's, there were only two front rotor styles, the standard vented 4-lug for all 4-cylinder models and the bigger 5-lug 11" rotors for the VR6 cars.

The only watercooled VW's that didn't have vented rotors were early A1 cars.

Brendan

[Patrick]

The only watercooled VW's that didn't have vented rotors were early A1 cars.

Brendan

Uhhhhhhhh.........
Hate to disagree, but there's 6 mark 2's here in various states of (dis)repair that all have solid rotors..............

[lord_verminaard]

The only watercooled VW's that didn't have vented rotors were early A1 cars.

Brendan

Uhhhhhhhh.........
Hate to disagree, but there's 6 mark 2's here in various states of (dis)repair that all have solid rotors..............

Eyupp, you are right, some early A2's had 9.4 solid rotors.  OOps!  Either way, all A3's had vented so Jetta Fan's good to go.  
Thanks for the correction.

Brendan

[Audi80]

The only watercooled VW's that didn't have vented rotors were early A1 cars.

Brendan

Only GTI:s and some other had vented rotors here in europe. I´d bet 99% of Vw:s i´ve seen had solid rotors :shock:

[Black Smokin' Diesel]

all A3's had vented so Jetta Fan's good to go.  

In the united states yes but early MK3 in Canada had a 1.8l 8v engine (pretty much the same as the MK2 8v) with 9.4 rotors (again, same braking setup as the 9.4" MK2 setup) while the US got the ABA and 10.1" brakes from the start. The calipers did have an air scoop on them to help cooling. I picked up a set of MK3 calipers for my MK2


Anyway, regarding the OP's question, you don't have to replace the calipers, just get the thinner pads and it should be fine.

[Jetta Fan]

Thanks for the input guys. Here's how it all played out......

Bought both set ups (solid rotors and vented plus the pads for each). Tried the vented rotors and thin pads. No go. The rotor does not fit. The bracket for the caliper interfers with it. So I had to go with the solid rotor set up.

Here's what I found out.... VW had several different brake set ups for the mkIII's. For some reason, up to 95 and after 95 seem to be two different set ups. Not sure why, but it is making buying a new caliper a real nightmare. The turbo diesels (AAZ) and 1.8L gassers had the solid rotors. The TDIs and 2.0L had the vented, as did the VR6s and GTIs.

[lord_verminaard]

Hmm.  Weird!   :roll:   Glad you got it sorted out.

Brendan

[Jetta Fan]

OK, I have to correct my last post......in asking the aftermarket parts suppliers, there seems to be a change at 95, but in looking through ETKA, the numbers are the same. Not suere why there are no listings for a 97 TD (AAZ). But, like I mentioned....according to ETKA, part numbers for the calipers are the same, as are the pictorials.

What I said about the vented and solid rotors on different models still holds true though.

[g-spec]

The 97 TD does have different calipers than the pre 95 ones......
I know cause I have a 95 and I just did the front breaks on a 97 td for a friend......I used mk2 vented rotors on my td

[Jetta Fan]

Thanks for the input g-spec. Why can't they just have one brake set up for the same friggin' car??    :?

I checked with a local VW dealer late yesterday and they told me the pre 95 caliper from a 1.8 gasser or a TD should fit my 97. I am getting a caliper from a 94 on Friday, so, with any luck, my search will be over.

[g-spec]

From the research I did when I was working on a 97 TD you need a caliper for a 97....they changed the set-up in 95 and the calipers are different.....they will bolt up but they just dont sit right....and you cant get the pads in. I can get you the part number if you want....let me know

[Jetta Fan]

Interesting. I'd appreciate the part number, if it's not too hard for you to dig up. I need the right side caliper.

According to ETKA, the part number for the 97 is 1H0 615 124 C and for the 93-95 it lists 1H0 615 124 A and 1H0 615 124 C.

[g-spec]

Interesting. I'd appreciate the part number, if it's not too hard for you to dig up. I need the right side caliper.

According to ETKA, the part number for the 97 is 1H0 615 124 C and for the 93-95 it lists 1H0 615 124 A and 1H0 615 124 C.

From what I found out the part number in etka says its the same caliper as the 95's...but its not.....the caliper I got has its own part number from the place I got it....Call Dynamic Performance let the guy there know I gave you his contact info....he will be able to help you out.....My name is Michal....the shop owners name is Lukasz....the number is 519-652-8557
Let me know how it goes!! cheers

[Jetta Fan]

Thanks for the info.

On Friday afternoon, I went to see my mechanic and the used calipers he had were no good, but he offered me a new one for a really good price, so I took it. It is the caliper for the 93-95. Tried my pads and they don't fit.....need to use the pads that are held on with the spring, not with built in clips. Since the price was so good, I can afford to switch the other caliper as well and just use the applicable pads and still come out ahead of what they want for just one caliper (I said it was a good price).

Thanks for the help Michal.