I've read the other postings on this, but my wife's just got a Fabia 2 1.6TDI 105 Elegance with rear drums. Not a fan of drums at all, and coming from a 2001 Polo with rear discs was very surprised to see the backweards step. I know you can do the conversion (did one on an arosa a few years ago), but my question, which i've not seen mentioned anywhere is, with the more advanced controllers, etc. is there any coding that would be required for the 'upgrade'?

 

I've seen all the pros and cons associated with the Drums v Discs argument, but very much prefer the discs for various reasons but primarily a maintenance aspect. My dad and myself tried to inspect and clean the rear drums when we bought the car, and couldn't get the drums off (even though we were trying to release the drum release 'wedge' without success) and broke one of the shoe retaining pins trying to lever the drum off :S. Also the handbrake sticks so bad i didn't think we were going to get the car off the drive after having been away for a week (i've read the other threads regarding this common issue).

 

So thought rather than paying £170+ (quote i've got from a local indy VAG garage) for new rear shoes and cylinders to be fitted, maybe it's worth considering that that money would be better spent 'upgrading' to discs. Currently got an offer on a complete disc rear axle for £80, plus new discs/pads £45 from CP4L to go with it and doing the work ourselves, and also saving money along the way?? :$$$:

I just wonder where the logic is for drums/discs for rear brakes, at 105PS I'd think that Audi and VW would have just whacked discs on, maybe I'm wrong but SEAT and Skoda seem to have different ideas as to when discs get fitted.

 

Only worry I would have, if you have looked into ABS controller settings for drums/discs is, would you have to factor in fitting a pair of refurbished rear callipers as well, as they are not know to be the most reliable part of that assembly?

 

Looking after a late 2009 Ibiza with rear drums that seem to have seized wedges, I can understand why you want the ease of access of bits for servicing that rear discs brings having looked after wife's Polo from new in 2002 until it was chopped in last August - it had discs but they too can be a bit demanding of attention, and her current Polo from 2015 also has discs.

 

Edit:- a level driveway or a banked end to rest the wheels against is what you need for cars with rear drums, that way the handbrake is never needed for long periods!

Edited 7 June, 20169 yr by rum4mo

No coding etc required for rear discs. Simple swap over of the rear beam and handbrake cables.

 

Edit:- a level driveway or a banked end to rest the wheels against is what you need for cars with rear drums, that way the handbrake is never needed for long periods!

 

in my experience drums can be a far better handbrake than discs, on a smallish car at least. My 206 runaround I had a few years ago was the best handbrake I've ever come across when properly adjsuted. And the Mrs's Qashqai has a dedicated drum just for the handbrake and its also a lot better than any VAG handbrake I have used.

 

Yes they have their drawbacks but its not worth the hassle of converting to discs. If it bothers you that much its best just to buy a car with discs on the rear in the first place

 

Yes they have their drawbacks but its not worth the hassle of converting to discs. If it bothers you that much its best just to buy a car with discs on the rear in the first place

For every person that complains about drums not discs I'll show you ten that complain about corroded discs, seized calipers or something similar. It's why I left my Scout alone. Properly adjusted the handbrake was excellent and after a good prep and paint the drums looked tidy enough.

I assume that it will be easier to swap the whole beam rather than removing the drums and fitting the disc set up, if this is the case, what vehicles should I be looking at as a donor (other than a Fabia II)?

 

Cheers

Pete

You can't fit discs to a drum rear beam.

For every person that complains about drums not discs I'll show you ten that complain about corroded discs, seized calipers or something similar. It's why I left my Scout alone. Properly adjusted the handbrake was excellent and after a good prep and paint the drums looked tidy enough.

 

My wife has had a VW Polo 1.2TSI 110PS SEL from new in mid August last year, current mileage is just under 5500 miles, condition of rear discs "very poor" - in my experience, the original rear discs only last a few years before they get corroded up too much, when replacing them with ATE or Pagid parts, things stay looking better for a lot longer than the original VAG supplied items, her previous VW Polo, a 2003MY car only needed two rear disc changes over 13 years 105K miles - though on that car the originals stayed looking okay for a lot longer, that car was an import so only came with one year warranty, this one comes with three years warranty and service plan, so I hope VW don't try to con me out of a set of new discs at service time, need to keep on my toes, or at least my wife's toes!

 

Actually the front discs (288mm), look a bit tatty as well, maybe she needs to get rough with them to keep them cleaner? The Ibiza, a late 2009 car, with its Pagid front discs I fitted early last summer, still looks as good as new!