Brake overhaul
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- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:52 am
Brake overhaul
I know the 412 has 914 front brakes and calipers (or visa/versa). How about the rears, are the shoes, wheel cyliders and drums all T-3 parts or are they 412 specific? I have a '74 wagon.... Also has any one here done a 320i caliper upgrade on the 412 like some of the 914ers do. I have a new set of 320i calipers for a 914 project that will be mothballed for awhile and I have been thinking of putting them on the 412. Seems like the slightly bigger pads would be nice upgrade on a heavier car like this...any thoughts?
- Wally
- Posts: 4564
- Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:01 am
Re: Brake overhaul
yeah, I've done this; just look up the thread about it in this forum.d-Mag wrote: How about the rears, are the shoes, wheel cyliders and drums all T-3 parts or are they 412 specific?
They are all type 3 parts![]()
Only the axle flange is type 4 specific
Also has any one here done a 320i caliper upgrade on the 412 like some of the 914ers do.
Less pedal force, very nice brake power

T4T: 2,4ltr Type 4 Turbo engine, 10.58 1/4 mi in a streetlegal 1303
"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
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- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:52 am
BMW 320 series brake upgrade
Thanks Wally, I did the search and it helped. What brand/type brake pads did you end up using?
- Wally
- Posts: 4564
- Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:01 am
I got a set of overhauled calipers which had the new (bwm or aftermarket) pads already in them. You can't use the type 4 VW pads if you were wondering (which is a good thing, as the vw pads are smaller) 

T4T: 2,4ltr Type 4 Turbo engine, 10.58 1/4 mi in a streetlegal 1303
"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
"Mine isn't turbo'd to make a slow engine fast, but to make a fast engine insane" - Chip Birks
- raygreenwood
- Posts: 11907
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
Actually they are not type 3 parts. There are differences. They will still work....but there are differences.
The early type 4 calipers have a pin that sticks into a clutch bushing within the piston. This pin was design to keep the piston from "cocking" in the bore when the rotor flexes through cornering. It was very necessary. The early type 3 and 4 rotors had a thinner thickness and flange area. This particular caliper was not installed on the type 3 until the later models. So you must be careful what type 3 you pull the calipers from.
To recap late type 3 is early type 4.
Late type 4 (august of 72 on) had the thick hub which kept the rotor from flexing and negated the use of the centering pin in the piston. It had thicker swept area, thicker pads and used a different spindle.
If you want to use late 411/412 hubs and calipers on a early or late 411...simply grab the steering knuckles and spindles from a wrecked 412 and they all bolt right up.
For even better handling...grab the control arms as well. The 412 steering knuckles and control arms were designed to have an extra 5* of static castor from the factory. It helped handling alot...but they must be used to gether to get full benefit. Ray
The early type 4 calipers have a pin that sticks into a clutch bushing within the piston. This pin was design to keep the piston from "cocking" in the bore when the rotor flexes through cornering. It was very necessary. The early type 3 and 4 rotors had a thinner thickness and flange area. This particular caliper was not installed on the type 3 until the later models. So you must be careful what type 3 you pull the calipers from.
To recap late type 3 is early type 4.
Late type 4 (august of 72 on) had the thick hub which kept the rotor from flexing and negated the use of the centering pin in the piston. It had thicker swept area, thicker pads and used a different spindle.
If you want to use late 411/412 hubs and calipers on a early or late 411...simply grab the steering knuckles and spindles from a wrecked 412 and they all bolt right up.
For even better handling...grab the control arms as well. The 412 steering knuckles and control arms were designed to have an extra 5* of static castor from the factory. It helped handling alot...but they must be used to gether to get full benefit. Ray