Updated: 26-Aug-2025
Braking System
Stock, Factory Braking System
- Dual diagonal circuits with power-assisted 9.4" front discs and 7.1" self-adjusting rear drums
- Front disc brakes were vented from 1984 onward
- Mechanical rear wheel parking brake
- Tap here for master cylinder, proportioning valve, and booster information
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
The 1979-1993 Cabriolets do not have ABS brakes!
Replacing Rear Drum Brakes
Anytime you do work to the rear brakes, do only one side at a time! This allows you to use the other side as a reference to ensure that everything is put back together properly. In case you removed both sides, here are reference images:
Swapping Rear Drum Brakes to Discs
A popular brake upgrade is replacing the rear drum brakes with discs. Tap here for a how-to.
Front Disc Brakes
Front disc component diagram- Part #191615269A (left upper; right lower)
- Part #191615270A (right upper; left lower)
- Complete clip set available at NAPA (part #ATM DK1048)
Brake Booster
A replacement check valve for the brake booster line has been found: AC Delco/GM part #90304535. Tap here
for further details. No longer available. 
Look for an ATE 34331151532 check valve instead. Note: These aftermarket replacements do not have accessory vacuum ports.
The factory version is still available via various retailers. Tap here for factory part numbers.
Hard Brake Pedal
If the brake pedal is extremely hard to push and the engine idles fast (or, dies at a stop), this is indicative of a leaking/broken brake booster vacuum hose.
Tires
Tire Pressure
- Minimum psi/bar: what the factory recommends (should be on the driver's side door jamb decal).
- Maximum psi/bar: what the tire sidewall states.
Tire Size (original factory size)
- 13" wheel: 175/70/13
- 14" wheel: 185/60/14
- 15" wheel: 195/50/15
Tire Brands (original equipment)
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Uniroyal
Tire & Wheel Size Conversion Calculators
Wheels
Factory-installed Wheels
Complete, detailed factory wheel guide: 
Quick glance:
Name: Avus
Name: BBS RA
Name: Estoril
Name: Le Castellet
Name: Silverstone
Nickname: Tarantula
Name: Wolfsburg
Name: Zandvoort
Name: 8-spoke
Name: 6-spoke
Name: n/a
Name: 8-spoke
Name: 12-hole
Name: 17-hole
Factory-installed wheel sizes:
- 5J x 13 ET45
- 5½J x 13 ET38
- 6J x 14 ET38
- 6J x 15 ET38
All stock Cabriolet wheels have a bolt pattern of 4x100 and center bore of 57.1mm.
Best Wheel Size
The general consensus is that wheels 15" and smaller are best for these cars. Tap here for The Highway Collective's take on what sizes look good on any A1 chassis Volkswagen, including the Cabriolets... while being rather amusing, it does speak the truth. Refer to the next section for additional wheel/tire/offset information.
Silverstone ("Teardrop") Center Cap
- Lost Key/Offset Screwdriver
- If your original key/screwdriver has been lost, head to your local auto parts store and buy an 8mm triple-square bit. Or, search for VW part number 321-012-256.
Center Cap Bolt
- Size: M8 x 20 x 1.25
- Type: Triple-square cap head
- Part number: N90321602
- Retaining washer part number: 321-601-160
Note: This bolt is unavailable in North America (shipping from Europe is cost-prohibitive). If you need to replace this bolt, it is suggested that you visit your local hardware store and buy four M8x20x1.25 Torx cap head bolts, preferably stainless, with matching washers. Be sure to buy a matching Torx screwdriver to keep in the trunk's tool kit.
Wheel Names
Most folks are unaware that many Volkswagen alloy wheel names derive from the car racing world, including those used on Cabriolets.
- Avus: Named after the AVUS racing circuit near Berlin, Germany.
- Estoril: Autódromo do Estoril, a race course in Estoril, Portugal.
- Hockenheim: Named after Hockenheimring, a race course near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
- Le Castellet: Circuit Paul Ricard, a racing circuit located near the southern France town of Le Castellet.
- Silverstone: Named after the race track in Northampton in central England.
- Zandvoort: Circuit Park Zandvoort, a racing circuit near the coastal city of Zandvoort in the northern part of the Netherlands.
- Zolder: Named after the racing circuit in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.
Wheel/Tire/Offset Sizes That Will Work
| 13" Wheels | Offset | Tire Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5J x 13 | 45 | 175/70/13 | |
| 5½J x 13 | 38 | 175/70/13 175/80/13 |
|
| 6J x 13 | 35, 38 | 185/60/13 205/60/13 |
|
| 6½J x 13 | 0 | 195/60/13 | |
| 14" Wheels | Offset | Tire Size | Notes |
| 6J x 14 | 35, 38 | 175/65/14 185/60/14 195/45/14 195/55/14 195/60/14 |
|
| 6½J x 14 | 30 | 185/50/14 185/60/14 195/45/14 |
|
| 7J x 14 | 25 | 185/55/14 185/60/14 195/45/14 195/55/14 195/60/14 225/40/14 |
|
| 15" Wheels | Offset | Tire Size | Notes |
| 6J x 15 | 38 | 165/45/15 185/55/15 195/50/15 |
|
| 6½J x 15 | 33 | 205/50/15 | |
| 7J x 15 | 15**, 20, 24, 25, 28*, 35* | 165/45/15 195/45/15 195/50/15 205/50/15 |
* Spacers may be required for the rears; grinding down the calipers and/or fender rolling may also be required for the fronts. ** Without any modifications, wheels/tires may sit beyond the fender flares (aka "poke"). |
| 16" Wheels | Offset | Tire Size | Notes |
| 7J x 16 | 20**, 35*, 40* | 185/50/16 195/40/16 205/40/16 205/45/16 |
* Spacers may be required for the rears; grinding down the calipers and/or fender rolling may also be required for the fronts. ** Without any modifications, wheels/tires may sit beyond the fender flares (aka "poke"). |
| 7½J x 16 | 35* | * Spacers may be required for the rears; grinding down the calipers and/or fender rolling may also be required for the fronts. | |
| 17" & 18" Wheels | Offset | Tire Size | Notes |
| Not recommended. May cause rubbing, especially with lowered suspension; ride quality will be reduced. May require fender rolling and/or spacers in order to fit, especially if lowering the suspension; depending on offset, may also result in poke. | |||
| Fitment Notes | |||
Lowering the suspension plays a role in what wheel & tire sizes you choose. Keep the aspect ratio close to stock to minimize rubbing. Examples:
|
|||