Brakes Research Guide

Unmatched Performance with VW Brakes!

VW Brakes from JC Whitney are designed with the latest safety engineering to provide superior performance. Brake pads, shoes, rotors and drums are the main components of your VW Brakes. They help in the smooth running of your VW and provide you with safe and improved braking, without any squeaks. These brake parts also help increase your VW’s stopping power and control while driving on and off-road.

You can go for either Disc Brake System or Drum Brake System for your VW. Disc Brake Systems are more reliable, efficient and offer greater stopping performance when compared to Drum Brake Systems. Brake Conversion Kits contain all the accessories you need to give your VW a big brake upgrade. Brake Pad Sets maximize stopping performance and extend brake life. You can choose from a variety of Brake Rotors, Brake Pad Sets, Brake Hoses, Brake Hose Kits, Brake Line Kits, Brake Master Cylinders and other Brake Hardware from our vast collection.

Types of VW Brakes

Brake Conversion Kits

VW Brake Conversion Kits from JC Whitney are designed for off-road use only for your VWs, Beetles and Super Beetles. They include all Brake components required for an easy rear or front drum-to-disc brake conversion. Made from high-quality durable materials, these Kits ensure maximum performance of your VW Braking System at all times. These VW Drum Brake-To-Disc Brake Conversion Kits also provide your VW cool running and an unimaginable stopping power.

Brake Drums & Rotors

VW Brake Drums and Rotors are revolving components of the Braking system that provide a friction surface for the lining pads to slow or stop your VW. You can get Replacement Brake Rotors for Cars and Trucks from JC Whitney that are built to boost overall Rotor cooling and resistance to thermal cracking.

Replacement Brake Rotors ensure perfect compatibility between the friction material and the Brake Rotor, eliminating unbalanced weight in your VW. They feature electronic mill balancing and patented pillar venting to maintain the highest level of quality for your VW. These VW Brake Rotors are made from high-carbon compounds that help dampen vibrations and reduce noise while dramatically improving braking comfort.

Brake Hardware

JC Whitney stocks VW Brake Hardware Kits that help retain your VW Brake parts in their original places during the braking process. VW Brake Drum Hardware Kits are sets of all the essential supporting hardware that help restore your VW for better Braking performance. These kits include caliper anti-rattle clips, seals, pins, dust boots, drum shoe return springs, hold down springs and adjuster assemblies that maintain consistent and balanced braking in your VW.

You can also go for Handbrake Cables and chrome-plated Emergency Brake Handle Kits designed for your VW Beetles and Super Beetles. VW Handbrake Cables are prepacked, ready to install replacement cables and housing for your VW.

Brake Pads & Shoes

VW Brake Pads and VW Brake Shoes are wearable friction material in the Braking System that provide safe, easy and noiseless braking for your VW. VW Brake Pads and Shoes at JC Whitney are available in a variety of types designed specifically to meet the various needs and driving conditions that different customers require.

Severe-Duty Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Sets are superior to metal-based pads as the friction in ceramic has a high modulus of elasticity. They can handle extreme temperatures and recover much faster than semi-metallic pads. VW Brake Pads also eliminate noise and require very less pedal effort to ensure a smooth stop.

Gransport GS-6 Carbon Ceramic Performance Pad Sets are perfect for Cross-Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors. They include special carbon ceramic formulations that provide a better coefficient of friction and stopping power. They are integrally molded with RaceGrid® technology that bonds friction to the backing plate to eliminate pad torque and heat separation, which is the major cause of brake failure under severe braking conditions.

Premium Gold Semi-Metallic Brake Pads and Hardware Kits come with a special high temperature moly lube to ensure a safe, quiet and quality performance brake installation. They have professional grade, semi-metallic lining for extended service life. You can also choose from our collection of Pro Classic Brake Pad Sets, Pro Performance Brake Pad Sets, Semi-Metallic Disc Brake Pad Sets and Platinum Disc Brake Pad Sets at JC Whitney.

Masters, Calipers, Lines & Wheel Cylinders

VW Brake Calipers from JC Whitney are assemblies of Brake Pads and pistons. VW Brake Hoses and Brake Line Kits are sets of flexible brake tubes with metal ends for transmitting brake fluid from the Master Cylinder to the wheels. Master cylinders are highly reliable components of your VW Brake system and are located in the engine compartment.

A standard master cylinder houses two separate cylinders, each handling two wheels. This makes the Master Cylinder failsafe and ensures that your VW stops even if one side fails or a brake fluid leak occurs in one. They are connected to the wheels through the brake lines and hoses and help in displacing the brake fluid pressure to the rest of the VW Brake system.

Replacement Dune Buggy Brake Master Cylinders for your Volkswagen® Beetles come with a large 22mm single-circuit piston for maximum braking power. They are made from quality materials and easily mount on top of your VW Brake cylinder. Our assortment of VW Brake Masters, VW Brake Calipers, VW Brake Lines and VW Wheel Cylinders also includes Replacement Brake Hoses, Replacement Brake Line Kits, Master Cylinder with Billet Reservoirs for Sandrails, Dune Buggies and Kit Cars and Bugpack Stainless Steel Brake Hose Kits.

Installation & Maintenance of VW Brakes

All JCW VW Brake components come with DIY installation. But it is safe to get them installed by a mechanic. Never install VW Brake Pads with lifetime warranty, as these have a harder lining and lead to excessive wear of the more expensive Brake Rotors and Brake Drums.

Get your VW Brake parts inspected annually for service as they tend to wear with time and factors like heat and friction. Replace Brake hardware, specially worn out Brake Pads and Rotors immediately as further neglect may require replacement of the entire Brake Rotor/Drum. Do not use copper tubing or brass compression fittings to repair your VW’s Brake system as this is harmful and illegal. Do not get the Brake Rotors refinished often as this makes them thinner and reduces their life.

Wipe off any Brake dust or road dirt from your VW Brake Calipers regularly and take care not to inhale any dust when working on Brakes especially in old vehicles. Maintain the correct amount of approved Brake Fluid in the Brake-fluid reservoir and the Master Cylinder and check for any possible leaks periodically to prevent brake failure.