Optimal caliper placement?

gr8000 · 08-07-2010, 04:56 PM

I was wondering what are the criteria for optimal calliper placement. Why front, why rear, and why never bottom or close(er) to the road (to lower the center of gravity)?

Apologies if these are elementary and/or dum qns but I couldn't find any answers after searching...

piloto · 08-07-2010, 05:16 PM

Many reasons. The biggest one being the suspension and steering attachment points to the knuckle to achieve the right suspension and steering geometries. This then dictates where the caliper can be placed to adequately clear these attachment points.

Other, less critical reasons are for cooling, weight distribution, and in certain cases anti-dive geometry.

Edit: also keep in mind that you have limited space in that area, so the larger you make the caliper, the less room you have for linkages. So it's a compromise.

piloto · 08-20-2010, 03:18 PM

Bump, since another thread with the same subject popped up.

alpina527 · 08-20-2010, 04:03 PM

They are placed to keep them away from damage etc. Also keeping them upright makes for better bleeding.

08-07-2010, 04:56 PM	#1
gr8000 Major 72 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E92 M3 - DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, Greece iTrader: (0)	Optimal caliper placement? I was wondering what are the criteria for optimal calliper placement. Why front, why rear, and why never bottom or close(er) to the road (to lower the center of gravity)? Apologies if these are elementary and/or dum qns but I couldn't find any answers after searching...
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08-07-2010, 05:16 PM	#2
piloto Captain 29 Rep 843 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Many reasons. The biggest one being the suspension and steering attachment points to the knuckle to achieve the right suspension and steering geometries. This then dictates where the caliper can be placed to adequately clear these attachment points. Other, less critical reasons are for cooling, weight distribution, and in certain cases anti-dive geometry. Edit: also keep in mind that you have limited space in that area, so the larger you make the caliper, the less room you have for linkages. So it's a compromise.
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08-20-2010, 03:18 PM	#3
piloto Captain 29 Rep 843 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 - AW/FR Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Bump, since another thread with the same subject popped up.
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08-20-2010, 04:03 PM	#4
alpina527 Banned 60 Rep 638 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 DCT JZB/FR Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London, England iTrader: (1)	They are placed to keep them away from damage etc. Also keeping them upright makes for better bleeding.
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