Brake Caliper

[RPMLegends18]

quicky question...which side does the caliper go on? I have mine on the back of the rotor, but I have seen pics were they are in front..is this just preference or...the car is a 74 Dart, with a 73 V8 disc brake K-Frame out of a Valiant

Thanks guys,
Ryan

 

[RedFish]

the calipers were toward the front from the factory. They get switched often for various reasons.

 

[RPMLegends18]

does it affect the way they perform if they are mounted towards the rear

 

[RedFish]

does it affect the way they perform if they are mounted towards the rear

The fluid lines can't be properly routed and may be subject to damage.
They should only be switched where absolutely needed.

 

[dgc333]

You just need to get longer lines. When folks swap the 73+ disk brakes on a car with a 72 down k-frame the calipers are mounted to the rear so they won't interfere with the 72 down style sway bar. When you do this the right caliper needs to be mounted on the left and the left on the right so the bleeders will be at the high point. You need a longer brake hose too. The Volare/Aspen cars had the caliper mounted to the rear so using a brake hose from one of those cars will be the correct length.

However, since you have a 73 k-member that uses the inboard mounting location for the sway bar there is no reason to mount the caliper to the rear.

 

[RPMLegends18]

thats kinda odd because I didnt change anything from when i took it out of that valiant. brake hoses and everything else are the perfect length and the bleeders are on top. the only thing i did was get new rubber hoses, rebuild the calipers, turn the rotors, and new bearings.. but the location i did not change. maybe someone else did

 

[dgc333]

Likely someone else did a brake swap and mounted them to the rear. Just remember if you need to get a new caliper at some point you will need a left side one for use on the right and visa verse.

 

[RedFish]

thats kinda odd because I didnt change anything from when i took it out of that valiant. brake hoses and everything else are the perfect length and the bleeders are on top. the only thing i did was get new rubber hoses, rebuild the calipers, turn the rotors, and new bearings.. but the location i did not change. maybe someone else did

Cant be right. If you've been driving it you need to have a look at those brake lines. Look for tire rub and or stretching where metal joins rubber. Safety first.

 

[dgc333]

Cant be right. If you've been driving it you need to have a look at those brake lines. Look for tire rub and or stretching where metal joins rubber. Safety first.

Since the car didn't come that way and swapping spindles side to side so you can mount the calipers to the rear is a very common modification along with the knowledge to use Aspen/Volare brakes hoses to get the correct length chances are good everything is OK.

I would agree though that to check to make sure the hoses aren't being stressed at full steering lock is prudent.