Hanging calipers....which way?

[Greg72]

I've got the option to hang calipers either in front of the disc or behind it....

The thought was to do it like this:

Basically the front caliper goes behind the rotor, but then out back it's mounted ahead of the rotor. I've seen lots of sportscars do it this way, but never understood why it's better than mounting all 4 calipers the same way? (all 4 behind rotor) It seems like in a 4x4 application hanging them like the Viper image might help keep mud from spashing into the rear calipers by shielding them a bit more...?

 

[76zimmer]

do the calipers have the bleeder in a specific location, requiring an orientation to keep the bleeder up?

 

[Greg72]

Yeah, but if I swap sides I can always keep those at the top where they belong.

Basically I'm trying to figure out if 4x4s with 4 wheel discs are setup like that Viper photo and if not, what makes the other configuration better?

 

[K5dreamer]

on sports cars my belief is its all about centralizing mass. keeping as much weight as possible between the wheels, instead of hanging out off the ends. to improve handling. on a 4x4 this would be moot.

depends on the calipers, in my case, i have mechanical parking brake linkage, so they have to be orineted in a way that the cable will apply pressure to the pads.

if thats not a concern, hell... mount em on top of the rotors for as much water and mud clearance as possible

 

[cybrfire]

Wouldn't surprise me if a sports car had some sort of air ducting that may have something to do with the location.

I don't think there's much difference for us.

 

[sweetk30]

o.k. funny side story on this.

the newer ford trucks ie. stupidduty thay run 1 caliper on the rear. 1 side its on the front and the other side its on the rear. 1 part # for both positions for the bleader to be up.

now thats thinking a little bit.

 

[dirtygoat]

o.k. funny side story on this.

the newer ford trucks ie. stupidduty thay run 1 caliper on the rear. 1 side its on the front and the other side its on the rear. 1 part # for both positions for the bleader to be up.

now thats thinking a little bit.

That's pretty smart... To bad you couldn't do it on the front as well, then only one part # for all four corners...

 

[sweetk30]

That's pretty smart... To bad you couldn't do it on the front as well, then only one part # for all four corners...

dont forget front is bigger than rear. most of the time.

 

[dirtygoat]

dont forget front is bigger than rear. most of the time.

I've seen guys that have installed d44 calipers on their d60 front... I've been thinking about doing it, just haven't looked into it yet... If it stops me from grinding 60 calipers I'd be down with it...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I've seen guys that have installed d44 calipers on their d60 front... I've been thinking about doing it, just haven't looked into it yet... If it stops me from grinding 60 calipers I'd be down with it...

Right, but remember that those D60 axles/calipers came under a K30 with a higher GVWR and higher tow rating, the D60 calipers and pads are HUGE compared to the 1/2 and 3/4 ton stuff. Not to mention the bigger rotor. Bigger brakes for a bigger load.

The 1/2 and 3/4 ton calipers on a bigger 1 ton rotor are an upgrade because there is more leverage but if you've seen the pads and rotor that come on a Chevy D60 compared to a 10 bolt or D44 you'll see that there is a BIG difference between them.

Long story short, 10 bolt/D44 calipers on a D60 front end are good, maybe even really good depending on the application. The stock GM D60 caliper and rotor setup is very big and works very well in general and, as mentioned, is a BIG step up from the 1/2 or 3/4 ton front axles.

 

[sweetk30]

Right, but remember that those D60 axles/calipers came under a K30 with a higher GVWR and higher tow rating, the D60 calipers and pads are HUGE compared to the 1/2 and 3/4 ton stuff. Not to mention the bigger rotor. Bigger brakes for a bigger load.

The 1/2 and 3/4 ton calipers on a bigger 1 ton rotor are an upgrade because there is more leverage but if you've seen the pads and rotor that come on a Chevy D60 compared to a 10 bolt or D44 you'll see that there is a BIG difference between them.

Long story short, 10 bolt/D44 calipers on a D60 front end are good, maybe even really good depending on the application. The stock GM D60 caliper and rotor setup is very big and works very well in general and, as mentioned, is a BIG step up from the 1/2 or 3/4 ton front axles.

and requires special brackets to install. and also i think cut down or swap out to diffrent rotor for size problem. as the 1/2-3/4 ton stuff wont open as far as needed to fit the 60 rotor.

 

[sweetk30]

oh ya and to gregs question i vote rear install both. keeps the hoses away from getting smashed in forward movment. as we move forward more than backwards.

 

[bp71k5]

Mine is setup with the calipers on the rear of the axle, but since so much effort went into setting up your K5 to have an optimum weight distribution, I don't see how you could do it any other way than centralizing the mass like the Viper does.

 

[blazinzuk]

On sports cars the calipers are mounted where they will get the most airflow, sometimes that airflow is venting sometimes not