REPLAY. RS4-b7/S4-b7 rear calipers on S2 Coupé? Works? If not, why?

[NEO]

I start with apologizing for starting a new "rear caliper coupé-thread". But the old ones are relly hard to follow.

Have been reading a bunch of old threads but can't get my head around this really. I have some indications that the RS4-b7 and S4-b7 calipers would fit on the rear at a coupé. Does anyone have any more information about this? If you say that it doesn't work, please tell me why. =)

And if it is due to the hand brake wire might end up in the wrong direction. Couldn't one build around this problem? Change the hand brake wiring route or so. Creating some new brackets maybe?

Maybe someone have some nice pictures of these calipers?

And what about the old S4 bit? Seems popular to use the discs from that car (8E0615601R). They have been around for a while. Like since 2001 on A4s and S4s. Made me thinking if anyone have had the chance to test the calipers that normaly hugs those disc on an S2...? Those are named: 8E0615423C . And the carrier: 8E0615425B . Anyone experimented with them?

Sorry for maybe asking questions already asked. But can't really find any good answers to these questions.

[S2central.net]

BTDT NEO but I know the previous threads aren't easy to follow.

In summary, those '8E0' parts you mention all bolt up perfectly to an S2 - Coupe or Avant/Sedan... No washers, spacers required for a fantastic 300x22 disc with those larger calipers. The disc is 5x112 PCD and has correct centre hole size. Its freaky !

BUT the only issue is that the handbrake mechanism on the 8E0 caliper is problematic on the Coupe. I feel you could work around it with experimentation with different handbrake cables and/or tricks but the disassembly of exhaust and driveshaft required to work in that area is significantly offputting !

On the Coupe I used the 8E0 disc, reduced to 280mm diamater and coupled it with A8/S8 carriers for the 280mm disc and calipers from RR quattro or S4/S6/V8. This required small spacers to adapt the carrier to the hub.

On the Avant/Sedan - which has a different h'brake mechanism than the Coupe - a very small modification is required on the caliper to accomodate the slightly fatter cable end from the S2. Its all pure bolt on at 300mm with the 8E0 carriers and calipers on the Avant or Sedan. I sold my test parts onto another Avant owner. I know of at least two others who have done this now.

HTH,

Paul

[NEO]

Thanks Paul!

You say the 8E0-parts are bolt on. Even the 300mm disc. How come you machined it down to 280 then?

I am a bit concerned that it might look odd with 365mm in front and then 280 or 300 in the back. If I remember correctly RS4-b7 has 325 or something like that on the rear axis. That's why I am curious about the b7 parts.
I had the opportunity to buy the RS4 -b7 rear calipers when I bought the front calipers but I did not have the money at the time and after a while someone else bought them.

I guess it would save me a lot of money and headache to go with this setup that's already proven to work. And try to get my hands on the b7-parts later on.

If anyone have the b7-parts, feel free to toss in the measurements.

[S2central.net]

Sigh - because I have a Coupe and I couldn't face the task of making the handbrake work with the 8E0 caliper.

The 8E0 caliper bolt spacing where it connects to the carrier is very different from the normal rear caliper so I had to revert to the RR/S4/S6/V8 calipers that I know work with 280mm disc using the A8/S8 carrier.

Only way to know for sure if the B7 RS4 rears fit is to buy them and try them. Be careful that the B7 doesn't have the electromechanical handbrake - that will ruin your day.


Paul

[NEO]

Sigh - because I have a Coupe and I couldn't face the task of making the handbrake work with the 8E0 caliper.

Oooh.. Sorry. Then I missunderstood you when you said:

In summary, those '8E0' parts you mention all bolt up perfectly to an S2 - Coupe or Avant/Sedan... No washers, spacers required for a fantastic 300x22 disc with those larger calipers. The disc is 5x112 PCD and has correct centre hole size. Its freaky !

I thought you meant the calipers to there. Or maybe you did? Maybe you did mean that they all fit perfectly but that extensive rebuild of the handbrake has to be done.

The 8E0 caliper bolt spacing where it connects to the carrier is very different from the normal rear caliper so I had to revert to the RR/S4/S6/V8 calipers that I know work with 280mm disc using the A8/S8 carrier.

But then again, the above indicates that the 8E0615423C caliper from A4/S4 does not fit on the S2 with it's original carrier, 8E0615425B, or in combo with the A8/S8 carrier. I'm sorry for nagging but I am truly confused at the moment.

So what I am still not clear about is if the 8E0 caliper in combo with the 8E0 carrier bolts on without problems other then the handbrake issue.

I will try to find out about those b7 calipers and I'll report back here.

And sorry again for nagging.

[S2central.net]

Jaysus - you are making this harder than it really is...

8E0 disc, carrier & caliper all bolts up perfectly to S2 - Coupe, Avant or Sedan - no washers, spacers, mods or anything else for bolt-on 300x22 hydraulic conversion.

Only 'gotcha' on the Coupe is that the 8E0 caliper is not compatible with handbrake - significant mods are needed to overcome the handbrake problem.

I reverted to a variant of MarkH's 280 conversion which used the 8E0 discs, reduced to 280mm as this is cheaper than taking A3/Beetle 280x22 front discs (5x100 with wrong centre) and having those modified. I used the RR/S6 rear calipers as the handbrake is perfect on Coupe. Not as light as A8/S8 alloy jobs but much easier to source 2nd hand !

Note the piston diamter on the RR/S6 rears is same as the 8E0 caliper so not much benefit to be had from it, other than it can accomodate the 300mm disc.

[NEO]

Sweet! Now I'm on the track! You know how it is, stoooooopid swedes.

Thanks a lot Paul for making all this clear.

(i'm like a child with those smilies Just love them. )

Jaysus - you are making this harder than it really is...

8E0 disc, carrier & caliper all bolts up perfectly to S2 - Coupe, Avant or Sedan - no washers, spacers, mods or anything else for bolt-on 300x22 hydraulic conversion.

Only 'gotcha' on the Coupe is that the 8E0 caliper is not compatible with handbrake - significant mods are needed to overcome the handbrake problem.

I reverted to a variant of MarkH's 280 conversion which used the 8E0 discs, reduced to 280mm as this is cheaper than taking A3/Beetle 280x22 front discs (5x100 with wrong centre) and having those modified. I used the RR/S6 rear calipers as the handbrake is perfect on Coupe. Not as light as A8/S8 alloy jobs but much easier to source 2nd hand !

Note the piston diamter on the RR/S6 rears is same as the 8E0 caliper so not much benefit to be had from it, other than it can accomodate the 300mm disc.

[NEO]

Sorry man, just have to ask one more thing.

I used the RR/S6 rear calipers as the handbrake is perfect on Coupe. Not as light as A8/S8 alloy jobs but much easier to source 2nd hand !

From this I figure that the A8/S8 ones would be better? Do they swallow bigger discs or only because the fact that they are lighter then the RR/S6 dito?

[S2central.net]

Advantage with A8/S8 caliper is that it is lighter (lower unsprung mass is always good) - dunno how much lighter.

Disadvantage with A8/S8 caliper is cost and availability - very hard to find 2nd hand and they aint cheap new.

One important disadvantage of the A8/S8 caliper is that the brake line hose has a different fitting than the S2 - meaning that a different hose is required. Perhaps no big deal if already reckoning on changing them as part of rear upgrade. I think MarkH had some custom hoses made up for this. With the RR/S6 caliper the same S2 brake hose can be used - I renewed them with stock items.

Another minor disadvantage with the A8/S8 caliper is that the hole in the bracket for the handbrake cable needs to be enlarged slightly for a snug fit. This is not required with the RR/S6 caliper.

What more can be said on this subject now ?????


Paul

[NEO]

What more can be said on this subject now ?????
Paul

Hahhahahah! I actually know one more thing that can be said. Or rather asked.

Does the A8/S8 swallow larger discs? I guess they don't since that was not on your list of pros and cons. BUt if I don't ask I'll never know.

From your exellent description I would say that the RR/S6's is a better buy. I mean, how much ligher can the S8/A8 be. Can't be that much difference.

Thanks for the patience Paul.

[S2central.net]

That A8/S8 caliper/carrier combination is perfect with pad/disc sweep at 280mm.

There is a 310mm option on some A8/S8 model that calls up yet another caliper/carrier combination, but the exorbitent price and risk of it being unusable put me off.

I'd need to look in the family album to get more info on that option if you wish to take the plunge ! muhahaha

[NEO]

I can not help it. I'm obsessed with brakes. =/ I missed the first opportunity to buy the Rs4 b7 rear calipers. But now I had the opportunity again... To buy a complete set. I could just not let that slip out of my hands. So let's see how hard it is to rebuild that hand brake thingy now. =) Hehehe.

My babies!



Now the RS4 b7 front calipers wont be that lonly. =)

[S2central.net]

Well good luck... They bolt on nice to a B4 Avant/Sedan but unless you can cook up some funky handbrake adapter bracket on your Coupe then I think you will soon be experimenting with different h'brake cables and all the joys of working those in round the exhaust and rear running gear. I wish you all the best with that journey - I could not face it doing the work on the floor, outside at the time - no way...

Keep us posted !

Paul