| djpateman |
09-23-2009 09:46 AM |
The A-type and S-type calipers use the 3.5" mount spacing. S-type came out in 1968, were aluminum, and were suited for the 20mm vented rotors. Last used on the early turbo. The A-type is cast iron, and was a less expensive alternative but much heavier. The wide A-type was used with the wider 24mm vented rotors, and used a spacer. Both A & S used 48mm pistons, both used the same area pads, but the S used thicker pads; the late 908 variant of the S caliper used even thicker pads.
The M-type calipers came on the 1965 911 with 3.0" mount spacing. The M-type calipers came in several versions, both front and rear type, both un-vented and vented widths, 38, 42, and 48mm piston sizes, and also 3 different casting types/sizes. 911 & 912 fronts were 48mm pistons in large casting with back side banjo connection line inlet. Vented rotors appeared on the 1967 911S and were optional on other models; these calipers had 7mm spacers. The 1970 914/4 used a small casting with back side banjo connection line inlet, and 42mm pistons. The rear 911/912 calipers from 1968 on were the same small casting, with a bottom line inlet (no banjo), and with 38mm pistons. When used with vented rotors these calipers had 10mm spacers. From very late 1972 the 914/4 used a larger casting, 42mm pistons, and a back side line inlet without banjo, and dual bleed nipples; these used thicker pads than the early 914/4 and 911 rear calipers. All 914/4 front calipers were VW cast, and used a pinch collar on the pins to hold in place; they also used anti-rotation device on the pistons. The 911/912 calipers used a wire clip through the pin to secure in place.
From 1965 through 1967 the 911/912 rear calipers were the L-type with about 2.25" mount spacing (smaller bolt size also), individual bleed nipples for each half of the caliper and cross-over line (like the S-type caliper). There were two types: 35mm pistons in the normal caliper and 38mm pistons in the wide L-type used on the 911S (with spacers to widen the caliper.
Actually the L, M, and S most accurately defines the area of the brake pads used. The L used the smallest pads, the M used the mid sized pads and the S & A used the largest area pads.
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