Noticed the other week when I changed the rear discs and pads that I had quite a bit of play in the lower guide pins.

Since then I have done a bit of research and am going to address the issue.

I planned to just replace the pins and the guides but having looked at ETKA, there are no separate part numbers listed - just the complete bracket assembly.

Are the guides rubber?

Has anyone found a replacement aftermarket guide that could be used?

Are the pins likely to be OK, i.e. does the guide wear sacrificially?

I have access to a machine shop at work, so could get a emplacement guide machined out of Nylon or PEEK - from what I have read, brass is to be avoided? Then with regular application of copper slip should last a long time.

I have also found pins for sale, £7 each.

The complete calliper bracket with pins, guides, bellows are for sale at £35+, as a last resort.

But if the pins are OK (have not looked yet) and they are compatible with nylon then it should be a very cheap overhaul.

I'm confused, my B5 Passat 4Motion is 12 years old, and has had its rear discs replaced twice, and I'd reckon that the guide pins are as good as new - and I've only ever relubed them once. They are made of steel - both the sliding pin and static housing, the only rubber bit is the bellows that is there to keep dust out of the lubricated moving parts.

The 4WD versions have different callipers. But frankly surprised by steel-on-steel! Are you sure?

also according to this, the guides are rubber!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310404945058?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648#ht_3972wt_951

I don't think so, what is shown there are 2-off caliper bore seals + 2-off piston dust covers + 4-off guide pin dust covers + 2-off + 2-off internal seals for the handbrake mechanism.

Edit:- remember the guide pins are lub'd so should not seize in normal use, I missed out the 2-off red valve dust covers. Also, I would not think the 2WD and 4WD are much different - just different rear discs.

Edited 9 June, 201214 yr by rum4mo