Caliper Location

Tim Kay · 07-03-09, 11:55 AM

I am installing new front suspension components including Wilwood calipers and rotors.

Does it make any difference whether the caliper is mounted forward of the spindle or behind the the spindle, i.e. performance or installation?

Not paying attention, I ordered a set of Wilwood calipers for my front suspension and specified "front" not thinking it means "forward mount"

. During setup I couldn't understand why my bleed screws were in the wrong location unless the caliper was positioned forward of the spindle. If there is no difference as to where the caliper is mounted then I'll mount it forward but if for any reason there is then I need to return them and order the right part number.

Ian Anderson · 07-03-09, 12:30 PM

Tim

I asked the same question last year after being stuck in a jam for a few hours and looking at the wheels around my car

Some mounted front, some top and some rear (never saw any on the bottom)

The concensus was it made no difference so long as the steering arms etc could be accommodated

Chera
Isn

Tim Kay · 07-03-09, 12:48 PM

Thanks Ian, good point, I bet your right. The steering arm may be the deciding factor here.

Dave Bilyk · 07-03-09, 01:50 PM

Tim,
when I installed my Wilwoods (radial Mount) I designed and had an adapter made up. Everything was good except that the adapter clashed with the bottom radius arm and limited steering lock a bit. I did some grinding of the adapter to get the lock back and all was ok. Just something for you to consider.
Look for threads started by me to find the ones on brakes if you are interested.

regards
Dave

Jim Rosenthal · 07-03-09, 01:53 PM

Mine all ended up on the back. But I don't think it makes a difference. Maybe for really serious driving, the calipers would cool off faster if they were in front, in the airstream. But for my level of driving, I don't think it makes a difference, honestly.

Tim Kay · 07-04-09, 02:07 AM

Thanks guys, further review of my current setup reveals what Ian eluded to. The caliper will interfer with the steering arm if mounted forward so I'll send these calipers back to Wilwood and replace with a rear mount setup. Chalk up another learning experience as a DIY'er.

Dave, I read your thread regarding your radial mounts and you did a nice job. I think I would have to "clock" my mount up around 10-11 o'clock to clear the steering arm thus defeating the the ease of bleeding the brakes.

Mike Drew · 07-04-09, 01:41 PM

Tim--forgive me if I'm insulting your intelligence. But sometimes the obvious is easy to overlook, and I'd rather suggest something and risk insulting you, then keep silent and let you suffer the consequences.

You didn't specify which calipers you have (other than the brand), which spindles, which system of mounting etc. so I'm making wild guesses here. But the cars I'm most familiar with (Panteras) have 'mirrored' mounting ears for the calipers on both front and rear of each spindle, so that a caliper could theoretically be mounted in either location. (The car uses a single spindle on both sides of the car, with a bolt on 'left' and 'right' steering arm). The only issues are of clearance with the other items, i.e. steering gear etc.

If you can physically mount your calipers in the desirable location on your spindles, but when you do so the bleeder screws are in the wrong place, can you just switch the calipers side-to-side and resolve the issue?

Jac Mac · 07-04-09, 04:30 PM

Only if the piston dias are all the same, if the piston dias are staggered..eg 1.875/1.75 then the caliper must remain on the same side of car but bleeders/pipes etc swapped to suit front/rear position--- then it gets messy with Willwoods as pipes are imbedded in silicon to dampen vibration/fracture problems etc.

Jim Cowden · 07-05-09, 03:06 AM

I like mounting on the back if I can.
If you plan on brake ducts the air is pumped into the center of the disk as the disk acts as a fan moving the air outwardly not inward,much easier ducting on the front than the rear.

Jim

egoman · 07-05-09, 08:18 AM

Most brakes are mounted with their mass towards the center of the car to reduce polar moment. I realize that this is a small amount of weight but you take all advantages that you are given. For a race car this would be a no brainer, but for a street car convenience may win out.

Tim Kay · 07-05-09, 01:30 PM

Mike, feel free to question my intelligence. My girlfriend does so on a daily basis, to the point that I've grown to question myself for every thought through my simple mind

.

As Jac Mac correctly points out, I am attempting to fit #6585\6584 6 pot lug mount. They are a multi diameter piston therefore specific to one side or the other. They're mounting on a new set of aluminum uprights provided by Tornado.

Jim C and egoman, good point.