Handed calipers?

T5Sweep · Mar 11th, 2018, 11:57

Does it matter which side you put L/R calipers on a car? Is there anything different other than the position of the ports?

I've got 850 calipers to go with my 302mm 940 brake upgrade and although they fit, the hoses are at a stretch because on an 850 the calipers are mounted at the front of the wheel as such whereas the 940s are mounted at the back, so the hose has to reach further if that makes sense.

Basically, can I swap the calipers over?

Dancake · Mar 11th, 2018, 12:28

If you fit a caliper with the bleed nipple at the bottom, you won't be able to bleed it properly.

T5Sweep · Mar 11th, 2018, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dancake

If you fit a caliper with the bleed nipple at the bottom, you won't be able to bleed it properly.

That's a good point I hadn't thought of, thanks!

classicswede · Mar 11th, 2018, 13:03

They are marked L and R so the bleed nipple will be at the top in normal installation

Jebus · Mar 11th, 2018, 17:06

Worse case you can take turn them upside down and bleed them then bolt them back down but is much more awkward way of doing things

bob12 · Mar 11th, 2018, 18:28

They were DESIGNED that way and handed for a purpose. Wonder what the MOT man might say .... and your Insurer if you had a coming together!!!

T5Sweep · Mar 11th, 2018, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob12

They were DESIGNED that way and handed for a purpose. Wonder what the MOT man might say .... and your Insurer if you had a coming together!!!

Thanks Dad, appreciate the concern.
Fluid is pumped in and a piston squeezed out, I fail to see how they can be handed in any way other than port location.

classicswede · Mar 11th, 2018, 20:29

The MOT man will say nothing as it is not related to the MOT test.

Insurance again provided the brake upgrade is declared (should the policy need modifications declared) then it is not an issue.

Aftermarket calipers are not handed

Normal production calipers are handed so that the bleed nipples are located in teh correct place and in some cases so teh fee pipe matches intended position.
The bleed nipple only effects bleeding air at point of installation or any event where that is required in the future. It has not effect on the brakes function in normal operation

Jebus · Mar 11th, 2018, 20:33

Depending on the particular caliper, some are different castings for L/R quite a lot are the same casting and the machining gets done at different points, with some calipers there are multiple different unmachined sections on them depending on the car they are being fitted to

aardvarkash10 · Mar 12th, 2018, 01:35

longer brake hoses are a thing... Hell, some of them are even braided.

Mar 11th, 2018, 11:57	#1
T5Sweep Master Member Last Online: Oct 24th, 2022 09:28 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Peterborough	Handed calipers? Does it matter which side you put L/R calipers on a car? Is there anything different other than the position of the ports? I've got 850 calipers to go with my 302mm 940 brake upgrade and although they fit, the hoses are at a stretch because on an 850 the calipers are mounted at the front of the wheel as such whereas the 940s are mounted at the back, so the hose has to reach further if that makes sense. Basically, can I swap the calipers over?

Mar 11th, 2018, 12:28	#2
Dancake Premier Member Last Online: Today 01:19 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Belfast	If you fit a caliper with the bleed nipple at the bottom, you won't be able to bleed it properly. __________________ 1996 850 T5 - Sold 2003 S40 1.9d - Sold 2004 S60 D5

Mar 11th, 2018, 13:03	#4
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 00:23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	They are marked L and R so the bleed nipple will be at the top in normal installation __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Mar 11th, 2018, 17:06	#5
Jebus VOC Member Last Online: Aug 13th, 2023 17:49 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Aberdeen	Worse case you can take turn them upside down and bleed them then bolt them back down but is much more awkward way of doing things __________________ 1992 2.0 SE Turbo Wentworth, now with b230ft & M90 2005 S60 2.0T the baby T5

Mar 11th, 2018, 20:29	#8
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 00:23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	The MOT man will say nothing as it is not related to the MOT test. Insurance again provided the brake upgrade is declared (should the policy need modifications declared) then it is not an issue. Aftermarket calipers are not handed Normal production calipers are handed so that the bleed nipples are located in teh correct place and in some cases so teh fee pipe matches intended position. The bleed nipple only effects bleeding air at point of installation or any event where that is required in the future. It has not effect on the brakes function in normal operation __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Mar 11th, 2018, 18:28	#6
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Yesterday 18:45 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	They were DESIGNED that way and handed for a purpose. Wonder what the MOT man might say .... and your Insurer if you had a coming together!!!

Mar 11th, 2018, 20:33	#9
Jebus VOC Member Last Online: Aug 13th, 2023 17:49 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Aberdeen	Depending on the particular caliper, some are different castings for L/R quite a lot are the same casting and the machining gets done at different points, with some calipers there are multiple different unmachined sections on them depending on the car they are being fitted to __________________ 1992 2.0 SE Turbo Wentworth, now with b230ft & M90 2005 S60 2.0T the baby T5

Mar 12th, 2018, 01:35	#10
aardvarkash10 Master Member Last Online: Oct 8th, 2022 22:22 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Auckland	longer brake hoses are a thing... Hell, some of them are even braided.

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