Had an interesting trip to work today in the Octavia The brakes are frankly dire... dunno how I managed pre-Z.

To those who have done the upgrade..... is there really a noticable difference?

I'm looking at buying 312 discs, caliper carriers and new pads. I believe the pads and calipers are the same?

Looks like an easy job:

Remove caliper

Remove disc

Detatch caliper from carrier

Fit new carrier

Fit new disc

Change pads

etc.

Nothing else to it is there? (I've changed discs and pads on the Octavia before )

Check fluid/change fluid.........Bleed brakes..[Just in case you forgot]

goochie, being someone who went from the 288's to the 312's a BIG BIG difference - one of the best mods i've had done in all honesty!!!

So other than the consumables (discs, pads & fluid) I only need to buy carriers? Gonne be bloody tight behind Elegance 16" wheels but I'm assured it will fit because the VRS estate has 312's and 16" wheels.

Check fluid/change fluid.........Bleed brakes..[Just in case you forgot]

Not essential when doing the upgrade on an Octavia as the calipers aren't changed.

However a fluid change with a quality brake fluid is a good idea if you aren't happy with the brakes, especially if it hasn't been done for a while. The fluid should be changed at least every 2 years.

Phil you may want to get new slide bolts for the install.

the whole set from GolfTurbo went onto mine, as JBS said it would just be as easy to fit the whole thing inc, caliper etc as take the old one apart type thing

the whole set from GolfTurbo went onto mine, as JBS said it would just be as easy to fit the whole thing inc, caliper etc as take the old one apart type thing

I agree in the case of an experienced mechanic but for the novice DIY'er who doesn't want to mess about with fluid the method Phil describes is the prefered option.

and TBH for what JBS charged i seem to remember i wouldnt have wanted to get my hands dirty anyhow - top job it was too!!!

I agree in the case of an experienced mechanic but for the novice DIY'er who doesn't want to mess about with fluid the method Phil describes is the prefered option.

Who you calling a noivce DIY'er ?

Who you calling a noivce DIY'er ?

Sorry, I'm sure you actually have lots of experience of 'doing it yourself'.

When it comes to changing front discs, I've done it a few times.

Learnt a valuable lesson once though..... dont buy "nearly new" discs from Jason. They were a little wonky

On another occasion, when I was 17, I changed the pads on a Vauxhall and put the retaining spring in the wrong way round. Sadly they diddnt hold to well on my parents 1:6 driveway

Learnt a valuable lesson once though..... dont buy "nearly new" discs from Jason. They were a little wonky

I've learnt the same lesson about getting parts from a breakers yard.

The only thing they were good for was entertainment at the dump. A waste managment operative (pikey) was in the skip pulling out "nice" stuff when I noticed him eying up a perfect looking kids pedal car.

It was less perfect by the time it had 4 brake discs (2 of yours and 2 of mine) thrown through the bonnet and seat

To those who have done the upgrade..... is there really a noticable difference?

Well Im quite hesitant to post this really as I seem to read nothing but good things about this upgrade but I personally wasnt that amazed by the change when I had the swap done. All my parts were brand new and the install was done properly.

Dont get me wrong, in no way were the 312mm setup any worse than the 288's. I can feel a slight improvement when shedding off speed quickly from high speed with this bigger disk setup. Any other improvements, to me at least, seem non existant. Maybe Im just expecting too much though.

I now wish I'd have put the

Well Im quite hesitant to post this really as I seem to read nothing but good things about this upgrade but I personally wasnt that amazed by the change when I had the swap done. All my parts were brand new and the install was done properly.

Dont get me wrong, in no way were the 312mm setup any worse than the 288's. I can feel a slight improvement when shedding off speed quickly from high speed with this bigger disk setup. Any other improvements, to me at least, seem non existant. Maybe Im just expecting too much though.

I now wish I'd have put the

I may change to Ferrodo DS2500 pads in the future if I keep with these 312mm disks though - apparently this is a worthwhile upgrade even on the 288mm disk setup.

Lee

VERY good pads. Had them on my old 256mm setup, and they were very good compared to standard. I will be considering them for the 312s when my pagid FR pads wear out. For the back I have the remnants of ds2500s as well, but am replacing them with standard pads and discs, as they don't do enough to need to extra stopping power.

Decent discs, pads and fluid will make a noticable improvement on any size setup. What brand discs and pads did you use for the 312mm conversion? Also when was the fluid last changed and what was it?

Hi Eddy,

All the parts were brand new parts for the TT so all OEM bits.

Fluid was changed at the time, iirc dot 4.1 was used - not sure of the brand. We had a little trouble bleeding the brakes in all honesty but then found the nipples ( no rude comments please!)

I was dubious about improvements originally as the pad to disk contact area is no bigger on the 312mm setup (obvously as the pads are the same) but after reading reviews on the upgrade on here I figures the slightly increased clamping force of the caliper being further out may indeed make an improvement.

I guess what Im really saying is that there is an improvement but its much more limited than I'd have expected and only beneficial when really pushing the car. For less money I reckon I'd have benefitted more from buying DS2500 pads for my 288mm setup but thats a guess of course!

Lee

Hi Eddy,

All the parts were brand new parts for the TT so all OEM bits.

Fluid was changed at the time, iirc dot 4.1 was used - not sure of the brand. We had a little trouble bleeding the brakes in all honesty but then found the nipples ( no rude comments please!)

I was dubious about improvements originally as the pad to disk contact area is no bigger on the 312mm setup (obvously as the pads are the same) but after reading reviews on the upgrade on here I figures the slightly increased clamping force of the caliper being further out may indeed make an improvement.

I guess what Im really saying is that there is an improvement but its much more limited than I'd have expected and only beneficial when really pushing the car. For less money I reckon I'd have benefitted more from buying DS2500 pads for my 288mm setup but thats a guess of course!

Lee

I would always choose quality when it comes to upgrading so new uprated pads and quality fluid would have been a good choice and if you wanted 312mm discs later you could still use the uprated pads.

A bigger disc with the same caliper and pad gives more leverage as effectively pad travels a longer distance worth of discs for each wheel revolution so has less work to do to stop the car in the same distance. For example if you wanted to stop the car in the distance of one wheel revolution the pad effectively travels the diameter of the discs so on the standard setup it has 288mm in which to stop the car but on the larger disc it has 312mm in which to stop the car. There's a formula somewhere showing the relation between disc size and pad area etc.. which I'll post up if I find it.

Well Im quite hesitant to post this really as I seem to read nothing but good things about .................. etc. etc....

Lee

Very interesting reading, Lee.

I may try just a fluid change to start with

Eddy - what fluid are you using?

Very interesting reading, Lee.

I may try just a fluid change to start with

Eddy - what fluid are you using?

Castrol Super Dot 4 as recommended by Bill from Badger 5, available from Halfords for about £10 a litre.

EDIT: That reminds me I need to pick up a bottle to do a fluid change when the new setup goes on.

I make no secret that I do fully endorse the kits sold by Steve as I think they are great value for money, and no I'm not on commission - Unfortunately!!!

Phil -

I have to question your logic behind trying to buy 312mm carriers on their own (Your post in the wanted section).

How much do you expect to pay for them, the pads and disks?

I think if you price it up you'll be spending circa the £250 or so that the complete kit is.

I would say, if you find some, the carriers will be best part of £100 for the pair as they are £90 each new, then you will be looking at what £40 minimum for each disk and another £40 for pads which is £220. For an extra £30 you have two brand new calipers which are £110 each from Skoda.

Just my opinion mate.

I've been offered some carriers for free

Calipers are the same.

Discs and pads are consumables so not to fussed about the cost of those.

I've been offered some carriers for free

"You lucky pig!"

"You lucky pig!"

My thoughts exactly. Rare and rocking horses springs to mind.

Jammy sod Goochie.