Adjusting Rear Compensator

[andy 0]

In the process of changing my rear bushes, I've got a new rear brake compensator to go on. I've heard people say that the compensator needs setting differently on a lowered car, how should I set it?

[Mike Edwards 0]

Try setting it to the same as the existing one?

 

Failing that, 'brake testing' on a straight peice of road is called for.

 

Basically disable the abs, get up to speed and stamp on the brake pedal.

 

Adjust and repeat until the rears don't lock 1st.

[andy 0]

I should have said, I lowered the car last year and ran with the compensator in the 'normal' position, but as I was replacing it I thought I should do things more scientifically. If its just trial and error as you say mike then I'll try that.

Thanks.

[Mike Edwards 0]

If you take it to VW they'll be able to adjust it using specialist equipment, but this worked for me when fitting Brembo's to my 16v and 312's to the VR6

[flusted 0]

you have to adjust it by leaving car on the ground or on a ramp (not jacked up)

Not sure on exact tension on spring but the same as standard setting

[Kevin Bacon 5]

The usual method on MK2s was to make sure the spring was slack when parked on level ground as Flusted says. It's not quite the same with VRs. No matter what height the car is at, there is always tension in the spring.

 

Vince was always fastidious with that on my MK2s, but he's never adjusted it on the VR since lowering and the rear brakes work fine.

[Riley 0]

hows about on the g60's anyone?

 

i think my compensator went on holiday when i lowered the car :lol:

rear brakes are not doing anything at all! :?

[Mike Edwards 0]

Ah - that's a different problem.

 

As the rear of the car sits lower the compensator opens increasing the rear brake bias.

[Riley 0]

i thought it worked the other way,no? :oops:

 

i thought as you were braking,the rear lifted and opened it up to apply the rear brakes then bringing the rear down?

 

neil.

[coolrado 0]

i thought it worked the other way,no? :oops:

 

i thought as you were braking,the rear lifted and opened it up to apply the rear brakes then bringing the rear down?

 

neil.

 

nah if it did that it would increase the braking force when the back end was at its lightest and would probably lock the back wheels up.

[Riley 0]

ahh,of course,makes sense,doh! :oops:

 

i have a problem elsewhere then :( probably seized,although when i fitted the coilovers,i gave it a good spraying and it was free...

just something else to investigate!

 

neil.

[coolrado 0]

when was the last time the brakes where bled? if your compensator is free, your handbrake is working and your not loosing fluid you could have air in the brake system or the fluid is knackered, for the cost its worth bleeding the whole system through once a year anyway

when bleeding the brakes its worth using something to hold the compensator fully open (as if under full load) as the fluid flows much more freely and should get rid of any bubbles quicker.

[Riley 0]

ill have a dig through the receipts,think the fluid was changed sometime just before i bought it,well maybe a couple of years back...

 

may change it anyway and stick some new discs and pads on the back :)

 

cheers m8,neil.