Front calipers

[EJP914]

What's the difference, if any, between the right and left front caliper? Just bought a pair of rebuilt ones but they are not labelled right or left. I see most places show diferent part numbers for each side. What's the diff? They look the same to me. ?????

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The bleeder valve should be on top. (This won't help on a caliper that has two bleeders, though!) There is also a "cutout" on the caliper piston which faces a specific direction. I believe it is upward and forward in both cases. Check Haynes or your Factory manual to see where the "brake pad shim" goes; the cutout in the piston mates with the edges of the shim.

--DD

[djpateman]

Dave is correct, the anti-rotation device hangs from the upper pin. With the later dual bleed screws, the caliper can be converted to the opposite side by rotating the pistons correctly.

[EJP914]

Checked caliper piston for the "cutout". It is there but not in the correct position. Calipers did not have anti-roatation clip when I took the old ones off. How important is this clip? Can you drive w/o it? Calipers are new. DId not want to take apart to rotate piston around. My guess is the piston has to be completely removed to get it into the correct position. Done that before it's not fun.

[djpateman]

Well, you can Mickey Mouse it, but then it is not a proper job done is it. If the caliper has been properly rebuilt it should not be hard to rotate the pistons. At least with my rebuilds it isn't.