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New braking product that you guys might be interested in....

8.8K views 57 replies 24 participants last post by  Flippped  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey guys-

I'm not usually one to post commercially(mods please delete this post if it's against the rules). We run a small VW/Audi/BMW/Porsche tuning shop in NYC, and have introduced a small, but effective brake mod that can be performed on B5/5.5 1.8T Passats. :)

The TyrolSport Brake Caliper Stiffening Bushings replace the stock rubber bushings which the brake calipers ride on. It is a modification which has no downsides, improves caliper stiffness, brake performance and brake feel. A few links to more information if you're interested:

http://www.tyrolsport.com/vwperformance.htm (scroll down)

detailed information:
http://www.tyrolsport.com/Install docs/TyrolSport Brake Caliper Bushings Theory and Testing1.pdf

Again, apologies if this post is against the rules :bow: Hope everybody who reads this has a great day :)

-Michael Pancheri, TyrolSport
 
#4 ·
Michael,
Interesting product. About to replace F&R on my car in the next week and interested but...
24 hours in hydrochloric acid? Is this considered the usual way to test corosion resistance?
Do you have detailed installation instructions available online?
And most importantly... is there a CLUBB5 discount? :wink:
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the responses everybody :)

We are located in Queens, NYC, near the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges(about 15min from the GWB). We have done work for a lot of the ClubB5 lurkers, and we're usually not ones to heavily promote our services as we can't keep up with the volume of work we currently have.

The Brake Bushings will not work on the rear, as the caliper mounting is already bushed in metal. Why they didnt do this in the front is beyond me :???:

The acid test was just one example of our process. We have had these on four cars for over a year, through four seasons, salted roads, sub freezing temps, commuting, AutoX, Road Race, Drag Race, etc.

We will be posting instructions online shortly. If you're curious in the meantime, I can email you the instruction sheet. It is a very simple install.

Round up 10 ClubB5ers who are interested in this mod, and I will give a 10% discount. :lol:

Please let me know if I can answer any more questions, and thanks again to the forum moderators and audience for letting me post this. :bow:

-Michael Pancheri
 
#7 ·
<Skipping down the hall with glee...>

OMG Mike, this is a genius mod! I had no idea the caliper pins were bushed in rubber, I just thought those were rubber seals! No d*mn wonder the caliper flexes all over the place!!! You don't have to be under heavy braking - you can watch the stinkin' caliper flex when you bleed the brakes!!!

No need to wait for a group buy - lessee, $500 Willwood caliper upgrade vs. $79 - I'm calling you right now. I'm hitting the track this Saturday - I want them by Friday!

</Skipping down the hall with glee...>

I am curious about one thing - you said on your website that the inside pads typically wear more than the outside pads - mine are the opposite. Any comments?
 
#9 ·
<Skipping down the hall with glee...>

Wheeee, I just ordered mine! Should get them tomorrow, in time for track day Saturday. I'll let y'all know how they perform. I can't wait!!!

</Skipping down the hall with glee...> :D :weirdo:
 
#10 ·
Rusty said:
<Skipping down the hall with glee...>

Wheeee, I just ordered mine! Should get them tomorrow, in time for track day Saturday. I'll let y'all know how they perform. I can't wait!!!

</Skipping down the hall with glee...> :D :weirdo:
Rusty- You're beyond help...you know this, right? :poke: :lol:

I just ordered some slotted rotors from S_Klass, so this would be the next logical drain on my wallet! Do you think that maybe I should have bought a Camry and resigned myself to a mundane, yet uncomplicated life?......NAH!
 
#13 ·
no dust caps . . . .boo :nervous:

what's to stop the caliper pins from seizing up? I had this problem recently when a mechanic left them off and I drove through winter in new york.

Dave
 
#15 ·
DaddyMatt said:
Rusty- You're beyond help...you know this, right? :poke: :lol:
<Skipping down the hall with glee...> Hee-hee! Yeah, I know! </Skipping down the hall with glee...>

crew217 said:
no dust caps . . . .boo :nervous:

what's to stop the caliper pins from seizing up? I had this problem recently when a mechanic left them off and I drove through winter in new york.

Dave
That may or may not be a good point. I've had my calipers off several times, and I don't really see how those dust caps could make that much difference. The pins need to be coated with brake caliper grease anyway, and it seems that it should be sufficient. Maybe the mechanic didn't lube your pins, and that was the real reason they seized?

On second thought, how can a steel pin seize inside a rubber bushing? :???:

Regardless, if it turns out to be an issue, then I will add "clean&lube the front caliper pins" to my regular maintenance. It will be worth it for the increased brake feel and modulation. The poor brake feel has been an issue ever since I got the car. SS lines helped a teeny bit, Hawk HP+ pads helped a teeny bit more, but the first time I bled the brakes and noticed the caliper flexing (you don't even have to try hard to see it, it's incredibly obvious), I knew I'd have to get rid of these calipers to get the brakes I wanted. Which was frustrating, because the OEM brakes have plenty of stopping power. Now, I have HOPE, and I'm skipping down the hall with glee! :weirdo: :roll: :lol:

Oh, here's another thing I bet these bushings will fix. I've had recurring problems with a dragging driver's side caliper. "squeek-squeek-squeek" as I'm driving down the road. The dealer replaced the caliper under warranty, and it was gone for a year, but now it's back. I bet those rubber bushings deform over time, leaving the caliper at a slight angle, so the pad drags even if it's fully released. I'll know soon enough...
 
#16 ·
Rusty . . . good point, I'm not quite sure what happened and the term "seized" prolly isn't the best word to use. It just seemed as if there was much more resistance when i was trying to remove the bottom pin versus the top. The pad when removed was \ instead of |.

I'm not saying that these bushings are bad or anything, actually i like the idea a lot, but i'd just feel more comfortable with some form of protection against dirt / salt & etc.
 
#17 ·
Rusty said:
DaddyMatt said:
Rusty- You're beyond help...you know this, right? :poke: :lol:
<Skipping down the hall with glee...> Hee-hee! Yeah, I know! </Skipping down the hall with glee...>
...
Rusty- Please!!! No pictures! :poke: :nervous:
 
#20 ·
I'm glad I have at least stimulated some discussion :)

The pins are stainless steel and the bushings are 954 Bronze alloy. The first consideration when we developed the bushings was corrosion/seizing as it would be a huge liabilty to market/sell a brake product with such a design flaw. We threw every condition we could at the pin/bushing assembly to see if we could get them to seize. Freezing salt water, acid, brake dust, heat, etc. and we were not able to even get one pin to seize. Being that the pins are constantly moving, and are shielded by the wheel and fender from most debri, it has not been an issue.

I'm eagerly awaiting Rusty's results as well, as I see he is a respected member of this forum. :bow:

-Michael Pancheri
 
#21 ·
jeffsu350 said:
does anyone know, TyrolSport, if thw W8 front calpers use the same rubber bushings, can i use this kit on my Lucus HR-2 W8 front (stock) calipers
We have not had a W8 come in to the shop lately. If one does, I'll be sure to check it out for fitment.....

-Michael Pancheri
 
#22 ·
TyrolSport said:
jeffsu350 said:
does anyone know, TyrolSport, if thw W8 front calpers use the same rubber bushings, can i use this kit on my Lucus HR-2 W8 front (stock) calipers
We have not had a W8 come in to the shop lately. If one does, I'll be sure to check it out for fitment.....

-Michael Pancheri
maybe i could be the ginny pig, where are you located, i see NY, but i couldn't find anymore info on your site. and of course, ginny pigs get discounts right :poke: :wink:
 
#23 ·
I replaced my brake pads about 4000 miles ago. If I were to install these bushings now, would I end up with any kind of shimmy or vibration since the pads have worn a little bit may be worn slightly unevenly since the calipers still have the rubber bushings in them? Also, have you guys noticed any kind of significant wear on the pins or bushings on any of the cars you've installed them on? Just wondering how long they will last.
 
#24 ·
mackman said:
I replaced my brake pads about 4000 miles ago. If I were to install these bushings now, would I end up with any kind of shimmy or vibration since the pads have worn a little bit may be worn slightly unevenly since the calipers still have the rubber bushings in them? Also, have you guys noticed any kind of significant wear on the pins or bushings on any of the cars you've installed them on? Just wondering how long they will last.
These can be installed on existing brake pads with no ill effects. We chose the materials used in the bushings and pins to minimize wear over the life of the car. If there are any issues, feel free to return the pins for a no questions asked refund.

-Michael Pancheri
 
#25 ·
interesting :eek:h:
 
#26 ·
Tyrolsport,
What is used to keep the calipers from rattling on the pins. Old GM calipers are notorious about getting a clunk/rattle when the rubber bushing wears causing a metal to metal hit when going through pot holes in the road.

Im sure the original new fitment will be tight, but wear will induce play which might cause a rattle.

I might be intrested in this for my W8, but I am concerned about unwanted clanks/clunks/rattles.