Aftermarket Rear Caliper Problems (Page 1/2)
gregr75 SEP 23, 06:16 PM
Many months ago when tearing apart my car I ordered 1987 left and right rear calipers from Rockauto. (Cardone A1 18 4237 and 4238). I didn't pay attention to see if they were an exact fit for my old calipers I just returned them for the core charge. Today I had to grind off about 1/8" off a casting boss on each caliper so they would bolt on as they were interfering with the knuckle.

I got some new rubber brake hoses from fiero store, and they are too short. they cant make the run and mount to the strut (arrow in picture). i tried my old hoses too and they also are too short. i suspect these new calipers have the banjo bolt location in a different location than OEM. ( I am assuming the old calipers were OEM but maybe not).

Since I already hacked up these calipers I can't return them so I think I may have to get some custom hoses fabricated.

Several dumb questions as my experience working on brakes has been limited to changjng pads....

1)can anyone tell if the banjo bolt location on these calipers is non-oem from the pics? just curious

2)Should the hose run go in front or behind the Ebrake spring?

3)What is the offset in the square boss for at the end of the hose, where the banjo bolt goes? what is its purpose? does it face the bolt head like in my picture or is it supposed to face the caliper side?

[This message has been edited by gregr75 (edited 09-23-2023).]

theogre SEP 23, 07:29 PM
D-side pic showing Passenger Caliper is why doesn't fit...

Once gone w/ hack job to attach it, try to bleed w/ bleeder @ bottom is not going to work.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

theogre SEP 23, 07:36 PM
& don't know what you cut/grind off but if cut cable bracket, can/will Fail trying to use P-brake when installed correctly.
gregr75 SEP 23, 07:53 PM
hi ogre

it was a non functional area of the caliper i ground off. you can see where it was hitting the knuckle
jelly2m8 SEP 23, 08:28 PM
As Ogre stated you have the calipers on the wrong sides, that is where all your issues stem from.
fierogt28 SEP 23, 10:09 PM
Plus the 2nd photo shows clearly your hose needs to be replaced due to wear spots eaten into the rubber.
I wouldn’t reuse that.

Like the Ogre mentioned, the bleeder is always at the highest point of the caliper.

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fierogt28

88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.

theogre SEP 23, 11:37 PM

quote
Originally posted by gregr75:
hi ogre

it was a non functional area of the caliper i ground off. you can see where it was hitting the knuckle


It was to Stop you installing on wrong side of car...
jelly2m8 SEP 24, 12:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

[QUOTE] it was to Stop you installing on wrong side of car...



LOL, I'd give you another positive if I could !
gregr75 SEP 24, 09:08 AM
Thanks guys. boy do i feel like a doofus. once i got them mounted i really only was paying attention to the piston being on the inboard side as "correct". I wasnt smart enough to notice the bleeder being too low. any fitment problems after that i attributed to it being an aftermarket caliper and i was in "get it done mode" ignoring all the warning signs.

1)Ignored the L/Rmarkings on the E brake levers 2) Reversed the lower strut bolt because it was interfering 3) hacked off material of the caliper

Step 4 would've been to go fabricate some custom hoses. I switched them last night and all my problems went away!!! oh. and i realized the offset is just to guarantee the banjo fitting sits flat to the caliper without the hose interfering.

Again I appreciate the advice, this forum is great😀
fieroguru SEP 24, 09:55 AM
When you are doing something for the first time, it is good to take some pictures with your phone before disassembly. That way you have a record of how things should be positioned and how things are connected.