1G WTF? FWD brake calipers on my AWD?

[L0G1C]

I changed my brake pads today and went to fit the new pads on the car, and they were too big. So I call down to the parts store and confirm the number on the pads to make sure I wasn't hittin' the rock, and I wasn't. They were the right Part Number for the 92 TSi AWD. So I go down there and we match them up with the ones off the 92 Front Wheel Drive!! WTF!?! The FWD pads fit in there fine, and the car stops like it should, but shouldn't there be a larger caliper on there? I can't help but wonder if they came on the car from the factory or what?

 

[MindBlowin03]

I could be wrong, but I think the AWD 'big' brakes started in late 1992(7 bolts). Prior to that FWD and AWD shared the same brakes.

 

[temfate]

Wasn't it halfway through the 92 model year when they changed the AWD pads to be bigger? I'd imagine they are the stock pad of the smaller size...

But I might not be remember correctly.

 

[L0G1C]

Yeah, the production date on the car is March of 92, so I guess it's feasable...

Hah, happy 13th birthday to my car!

Oh yeah, and another thing...

The brake fluid is the color of a nice cup of tea. A nice caramel color. That means I need to flush the system, right?

 

[temfate]

You don't really need to flush it completely, but do bleed it through a few times with some fresh fluid... Basically the same as a flush but easier...