which caliper goes where?

[natemoen]

A thread here a couple weeks ago got me thinking that maybe my front right and rear calipers had been swapped at some point in its life. So I am wondering, what direction does your front right bleeder screw face? Does it go up or does it point back towards the brake line? Then does your rear bleeder screw face up or forward?

Don't care about specials, only standards need reply

[Rickrod3]

On my F both of the front caliper bleeders face up.
They look like a mirror image of each other.
My rear caliper points forward.
H.T.H.

[XSive Okie]

Bleeder screws should be at the top of the caliper in order to get the air out.

[natemoen]

I know it need five in the top side, its just a matter of orientation and engineering design.

[crazy steve]

Bleeder screws should be at the top of the caliper in order to get the air out.

Not always....

What you want to look at is, if you 'extend' the bleeder hole to the piston bore, that should intersect the bore at its top when the caliper is mounted. As Rick said, in this case the front two should point up and the rear should point forward.

If it doesn't, any air above the hole is trapped and you'll have a hard time getting it out. Once all the air is out, then it doesn't matter.

[natemoen]

I think it was you Steve that brought it up to me before. It is sounding like my calipers got swapped at some point in the past. U did always thunk it was odd that the front 2 were different from each other. Now they are correct!

[crazy steve]

While you can install any standard caliper in any position, the bleeding process can get ugly..

I had an acquaintance call me up one time for help on the new brakes he'd put on his truck. Complaint was he couldn't get a good pedal, even after spending a considerable amount of time bleeding the brakes. I go over and look at it, and realized the parts house had sold him two left calipers instead of a left/right pair. Bleed screw on the right side was on the bottom, so needless to say he wasn't having any luck getting the air out.

Made a nice drain though...

This is going to be a bit of an issue on the rear HD caliper I'm installing; Harley lays the caliper down all the way to the swingarm, but I had to stand it up ala OEM style because of interference with the shock. So to bleed this one, I'll partially pull the caliper off and tilt it until I get the right angle to get all the air out.

[petejw]

have u got any pictures of ur set up?

[natemoen]

have u got any pictures of ur set up?

Me? No, it seems to be my rear was on the front though according to what read. If you want I could take a couple pics in the morning.

[petejw]

more out of curiosity nate,
if u got the time and it isnt a hassle.

[natemoen]

Here ya go Pete.

Front right.



Front left.



Rear. Not on yet though.

[petejw]

nate,
have u swapped them around, looks like
u've got them right atm.

theyve come up a treat with the paint.

[DAVINCI]

That is the correct orientation for the standard. The paint i used was the VHT caliper paint, then I baked 'em in the oven at 200 for 30 min to cure 'em, as per the directions on the can. Supposedley, it's brake-fluid-resistant. Did them winter of '09-'10. So far so good.

Hey, what's for dinner? Roasted Caliper! Of course, it helps not to have a SWMBO around to b&%ch...hehe

[natemoen]

Yes I did swap the right 2 out already.

I did the same with all my calipers, brackets, master cylinders, triple tree, engine covers, and any other bits I could find.