Re: sliding (floating) calipers anyone?

["Jim Steck" <4sfed@xxxxxxxxx>]

Besides the difference in manufacturing cost, the floating caliper requires less
clearance to the outside of the rotor.  That also makes wheel design for FWD
easier and cheaper.  It also makes the caliper lighter.

Calipers with opposed pistons might provide more even pad wear, but there's no
penalty in performance if piston and pad sizes are comparable.  So . . . less
expensive caliper, less expensive wheel and less weight.  If it's a FWD car, it
will probably have floating calipers no matter who makes it.

Jim Steck
AutoComponenti


> ----- Snip ----- >
> From: "Joseph Kanellopoulos"
> Subject: sliding calipers anyone?
>
> It seems that a lot of the newer cars seem to be using sliding calipers rather
> than the traditional calipers like the ones found in our Alfas.
>
> I realize that the sliding caliper is cheaper to manufacture and maybe easier
> to service but I cant help feel that the performance of the traditional
> calipers and their effect on even disc wear is better than the sliding ones.
>
> Anyone out there with an opinion on the subject or even better with some
> empirical data?

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