Re: Brake Modifications to '90 200tqa

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

At 04:42 PM 9/22/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi,
>I recall briefly reading on the list about an upgrade to the rear brakes for
>a 200 tqa.  I think a reference to a HD towing package was also made.  Does
>anyone have any further information about the brakes and/or the rest of the
>towing package?  My rear rotors and pads are due for replacement and I
>thought I might as well upgrade them while I'm at it.  Is it something that
>a fairly inept and ill equipped mechanic like yours truely could attempt?
>Ted Nilson (much more comfortable working on a sailboat)
>teddybear@nac.net
>http://users.nac.net/teddybear
>check out the NJCFSA web site at http://idt.net/~njcfsa for pix of my boat,
>Nightingale

Ted - I was one of those people who did the rear brake upgrade....yes, you
can do the work yourself fairly simply, it's just not that cheap.
Following is the text of the message I sent to the q-list a while ago with
details...........SLM

**** BEGIN ATTACHED MESSAGE ***

This is my follow-up post describing my experiences with installing the
'heavy duty' rear brakes on my '90 200tqw (US version).  With this
information, anyone who wants should be able to do what I did.

First, let me thank the following q-listers for their help and information;
it wouldn't have been possible without them:

Paul Weston (WMSBrakes@aol.com) at Weston Motorsports
Chris Semple (Autobahn01@aol.com) at Autobahn Motors
Frank Bauer (frankbauer@thevine.net)
Linus Toy (linust@mindspring.com)

Bottom line - I did the upgrade; it works great.  There is some braking
improvement, but it is subtle.  It should be useful when I start towing
things.  Would I do it again?  Probably not; the cost/benefit ratio is way
off.

Upgrade description - standard rear brakes on the 5k/100/200 (pre '91)
wagons are a solid rotor setup.  A factory upgrade was to a vented rotor
setup, variously described as a 'trailer towing' or 'heavy duty' rear brake
option.  These HD brakes were standard on the '91 200q (sedan & wagon) and
the '90 & up V8's.  It is a fairly serious upgrade; rotors go from solid
(10mm) to vented (20mm); disc diameter increases to 269mm from 245mm; and
the master cylinder and caliper cylinders are upgraded.

Parts required - all are Audi part #'s w/approx prices (US dollars):
447-611-021    Master cylinder (25.4 x 18/18); $200
447-615-423/4  Right/left calipers (43mm pistons); $135/rebuilt; $250/new
447-615-425-A  Caliper carriers (2 needed); $142/apiece (OUCH!)
441-615-611-A  Splash shields (2 needed); $25/apiece
447-615-601-A  Rotors (269mm/20mm); $64/apiece + $38/apiece for slotting 
(NOTE:  Brake pads, hoses, and emergency brake cables are the same.)

Total price: approx $1,000. Big sigh. However, if you skip upgrading the
master cylinder, found the caliper carriers used, found rebuilt/used
calipers, threw away the splash shields, and skipped the rotor slotting you
could do this for around $400 (*much* more reasonable).  I needed a new
master & calipers anyway, and kept using the "it's only a little more to do
it right" line.....

Hope this helps someone else...e-mail if you want any more info.....SLM

Steve Manning:  stephenm@ix.netcom.com
...Physical home: Metro D.C. area, USA
.....Virtual home:  http://www.stationwagon.com