Gen 1 BAD Series Disc Brakes released in 2007 and we
sold over 23,000 kits over 48 countries. It finally gave Classic VW
Enthusiasts an American option instead of settling on Chinese
counterparts. Wilwood calipers, flexible bolt pattern switching,
upgrade-able from 1, 2 to 4 piston applications and they bolted onto
factory or drum drop spindles with ease. To put it bluntly, the industry
as a whole, loved the versatility and performance.
Almost 16 years later, we introduce GEN 2. Our greatest update on a
industry leading set of disc brakes, the BAD Series Disc Brakes.
BAD (Billet Assembled Disc) is made up of a 3-Piece design that
include the hub assembly, the bolt pattern and the rotor blade. With the
pandemic hitting just about everyone hard, the raw materials industry
was hit even harder. Rotor material we used became non-existent so we
had to search worldwide for options. What once was a 11 different
companies touching this rotor is now a single company, that produces
millions of rotors annually, making our products the best yet. Every
aspect of this rotor is now done in house and to the spec the PRO's
demand. The hub design went through a small change that included a
dust/grease cap update. This update included a bolt on design with the
speedometer cable connection hidden under the anodized Airkewld Star
design. Super trick, super clean.
Caliper brackets were redesigned to set the calipers in the perfect
location for service, tie rod end replacement and Wilwood caliper
recommended hardware, which is now American instead of Metric.
Stainless Steel Brake lines have been updated for an even better look, fit and function as well.
Rear BAD Hubs have been updated to include the same cap as the front to keep the look uniform and hide the axle nut.
Rear eBrake cables have been updated to include OEM connections at
the hand brake handle and a barrel nut at the caliper for a quick and
easy installation.
Future upgrades include the availability of an electronic parking brake option to release in 2023.
New options available is to have the bearings pressed in and packed, ready for you to install easily.
Match painted eBrake calipers are now a drop down menu item so
compiling the Ultimate front and rear kit to matching specs is actually a
reality.
As it stands in 2022, Wilwood does not make a eBrake caliper that
fits a 3/8" thick rotor. Some shops, (shops, normally do NOT carry
product liability insurance, meaning if the product fails and you get
injured or worse, they can give you the finger), *Modify* a 3/4" rotor
to fit which takes the liability away from Wilwood and onto them AND
you.
Also, Wilwood does NOT make disc brake conversions for the Classic
Volkswagen. So when you read Wilwood Disc Brake conversions, that
company is marketing to you in a deceptive way and giving their kit
value in a consumer market.
One company, with product liability insurance, that's Airkewld and
one other company, EMPI, which states that these products are designed
for the use to be on a off-road application, which takes the liability
risk OFF OF THEM and onto YOU, the SHOP/GARAGE that is installing them.
Airkewld, that's us, has a 90%+ American-Made Disc Brake Conversions and
EMPI has a 90%+ Chinese-Made Disc Brake Conversions.
Front Kits - LINK - All front kits will come with BAD Series rotor assemblies featuring new assembly hardware for a better user experience, caliper brackets, calipers, pads, master cylinder, seals, hardware, NEW bolt-on billet dust caps, German roller bearings, reservoir bottle, brake light switches and stainless steel braided brake lines. These are the most complete kits on the market to ensure you can do the job correctly and safely.
Rear Kits - LINK - All rear kits will come with BAD Series rotor assemblies featuring new assembly hardware for a better user experience, caliper brackets, calipers, pads, e-brake cables, seals, hardware and stainless steel brake hoses.
Two Piston Wilwood Caliper - Zero Offset on all bolt patterns, not 5x205mm (add .375" offset) - Great for performance applications street or strip - 1100cc-2110cc - 90-100 mph tops - They utilize one piston on each side in aluminum construction and anodized Titanium Grey finish - Replacement pads are available on our website any high performance outlet or street rod shop - To use these you will need *DRUM* Spindles, stock or dropped.
Four Piston Wilwood Caliper - Zero Offset on all bolt patterns, not 5x205mm (add .375" offset) - Great for performance and racing applications - 2331cc and up * Any Turbo Application * NOS Application - 105 mph + - They utilize two pistons on each side in aluminum construction and anodized Titanium Grey finish - Replacement pads are available on our website any high performance outlet or street rod shop - To use these you will need *DRUM* Spindles, stock or dropped.
Rear eBrake - Single piston mechanical e-brake caliper - Zero Offset - Perfect for all street and performance applications and can be paint matched by the consumer to match the front pretty easily or the PRO's can do it for them here. Electric Wilwood parking brake options will be available shortly.
RaceReady - Two Piston Wilwood NON e-Brake Caliper - Zero Offset - Perfect for all race applications as well as clients who want matching Wilwood calipers front and rear.
Question: Do you make a Wilwood eBrake caliper kit for your BAD Series Brakes? Answer: No sorry we do not. Wilwood does not make a 3/8" thick rotor equipped caliper.
Question: What size lugs do I need? Answer: Most brake kits come with 14mm x 1.50 studs pressed in them, so a lug nut that fits those, but in the seat that the wheels need, either acorn conical, ball seat or mag lug. Check the wheel manufacture for specs the wheels require.
Question: I have a dual circuit master on my VW already. Do I still need to install the master cylinder that was sent with my kit? Answer: Yes, the dual circuit master relies on the springs in the backing plates to syphon the fluid back into the reservoir. The dual circuit disc master has a larger spring to do the syphoning.
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