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Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - csgmart

I'm trying to buy parts to replace the front discs and pads on my 2001 1.4 8v petrol VW Polo. Engine code is AUD.

There are a number of different braking systems fitted to this year of Polo and I'm getting confused as to which type I have.

The caliper is marked with a code "216214" which seems to relate to a Kelsey Hayes or Bendix caliper. So far so good.

The disc is vented and would appear to be 239mm by 18mm (based on the caliper code). Again so far so good.

My problem is the pads. The pads fitted to my caliper have a 3 prong metal clip fitted to the back of the pad rather than a separate clip and retainer system. When I look for Kelysey Hayes pads they look the correct shape in the picture but none of them have the metal clip attached to the back of the pad, they all seem to have a separate clip fitting system.

From the caliper code (216214) is it possible for anyone on here to tell me which pads I need?

I know that I could take the pads out and run down to my local motor factors or measure them and look online but I would prefer to buy the parts first and have them to hand when doing the job.

Edited by csgmart on 01/02/2015 at 07:28

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - skidpan

Armed with your reg or VIN and decent factor should be able to tell you exactly what pads you require.

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - csgmart

Armed with your reg or VIN and decent factor should be able to tell you exactly what pads you require.

True, although some of the websites I've been looking at tell me I don't have the type of brakes fitted - even though I clearly do.

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - Oli rag

Is the metal clip on the back of the pad not just an anti squeal shim? If that's the case you can just clean and reuse them.

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - csgmart

Is the metal clip on the back of the pad not just an anti squeal shim? If that's the case you can just clean and reuse them.

No, the clip is riveted to the pad. I've changed these pads and discs a number of times in the past (different Polo but same type) and the clip is riveted on the new pads. I didn't make a note of the pads I used last time which is a shame as I could have avoided all this hassle.

Edited by csgmart on 01/02/2015 at 09:01

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - gordonbennet

ECP usually have quite good diagrams of the pads, would you recognise them if you saw them in diagram form?

If no good there then a visit to mintex.co.uk/?page_id=1051 should find you some really good diagrams.

Sometimes there is no alternative but to remove and make a stencil and accurate measurements of the pads, might even find some meaningful refernce numbers, then temporarily refit whilst you await the correct set to be sent.

When i remember to i always make such a stencil when i first buy a car and go through the thing, together with noting any reference numbers found on filters etc that might be useful when the time comes.

VW's, and most (all) French cars, can be awkward for brake specs, my mk 1 Diesel Golf was fitted with same as GTi pads, but on solid front discs (don't know if the GTi had vented or not), nothing like the ones they were supposed to have according to the books.

Edited by gordonbennet on 01/02/2015 at 09:31

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - elekie&a/c doctor

With a 3 prong claw on the back of the pad,they could be made by Bosch.

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - csgmart

On ECP the part number of pads that look similar (and have the clip on the back) is 101440416

However these are not for a "Kelsey Hayes" type caliper.

It seems all the Kelsey Hayes pads have a width of 137.7mm and looking at the options presented for my vehicle part number 101440368 is correct. What is not clear from the picture is whether the pads have the clip on the back or not.


Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - gordonbennet

Not a VW buff, but i can't be the only one who's never heard of Kelsey Hayes in the normal world of brakes.

Does the Mintex/TMD site show things any more clearly.

Volkswagen Polo III 2001 1.4 Petrol 8v - Brake pad and disc confusion - csgmart

Not a VW buff, but i can't be the only one who's never heard of Kelsey Hayes in the normal world of brakes.

Does the Mintex/TMD site show things any more clearly.

Yes and no. I can find pads that look similar but they all state a different make of caliper. In their wisdom VW used the following types:-

Kelsey Hayes

Bendix

VW type II

Perhaps I am being thrown by the code on the caliper and that is pointing me in the wrong direction?

I guess if the caliper code doesn't help to identify the pad type correctly the only option I have is to take a pad off and measure the dimensions. That way I can be sure of getting the correct ones.

From what I can determine it looks like I have the VW II system but the caliper code suggests I don't.

Edited by csgmart on 01/02/2015 at 10:40