Birkin S3 Front Rotor replacement

[S3 Kim]

Hi.

I have been searching the web with no clear answer.

I even looked thru my old notes from when I built it in 2001.

I have a 2001 Birkin S3 and need new front rotors. All advise I've found calls for 1984-88 VW GTI or Scirocco. But the sizes don't jive.

My existing ones have  OD 255mm with hub dia 142mm.

Any info would be much appreciated 

Thanks

[MV8]

New VW rotors require machining to fit the hubs. Take both your hubs, old rotors, and new rotors to a machine shop. Better yet, have them machine a few you can have as spares or trade.

Edited Friday at 05:09 PM by MV8

[IamScotticus]

What are the calipers off of?

[S3 Kim]

They are VW/Audi calipers. Probably 1980s Golf/ Jetta / Scirocco. 

[papak]

The brake components on the Birkin are mostly late '80s VW/Audi from GTI ROW inventory. My 2015 came with Wilwood front calipers while the rotors are from a 2005 GTI. My rear calipers are 2005 ROW GTI. The rear rotors are the interesting part. In order to mate correctly with the Birkin hubs, the VW rotors have the back of the disk cut back, a challenging machining process while keeping the outer and inner surfaces parallel. Not sure of the thickness dimension (around 10.5mm) but the rotors end up at approximately the VW minimum dimension. These components accommodate the handbrake setup while providing sufficient brake capability. As a front engined car, the rears normally wear much less than the fronts. This era Birkin also comes with an adjustable bias setup to balance the separate brake master cylinders. Tom Carlin can usually provide the parts.

[BirkinBernie]

HI Kim!

 

I have the archive of the old birkinowners Yahoo group.  I believe you were quite active there!  Anyway, according to a couple of posts the original front rotor is a VW part, 321-621-301D.  The Autozone part number is 3464:

 

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-rotor/p/duralast-disc-brake-rotor-3464/43018_0_0

 

The only issue is that the center hole has to be machined from 65mm to 69.5mm. 

 

FWIW, the rear rotor is said to be a front rotor from a small engine 1997 Golf.  That one has to have 2mm removed from the inside friction surface. 

 

I cannot confirm the above from personal experience.

 

Will send a PM.

 

Happy Motoring!

Bernie

 

 

 

[S3 Kim]

You guys are great. Thanks