Caliper Alignment

[Walter74]

Hi fellow enthusiasts,

I am installing new calipers to the new front disks on my BJ7. On the right side the alignment is ok, but on the left side the disk is not in the center of the caliper. I do have shims for the alignment, but the offset is just in the opposite direction. Adding shims would worsen the situation. Anybody an idea how to adjust the caliper to align the disc properly?

Kind regards

Walter

 

[Walter74]

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[Walter74]

As you can see the gap between caliper and disc differs on both sides

 

[red57]

While centered is best, as long as the rotor runs true and doesn't contact the caliper body, I wouldn't be too worried since both pistons float with equal hydraulic pressure which will automatically balance the load on the rotor. I think the pistons have adequate travel to work fine a little off center.

You could try swapping the calipers right to left and see if the alignment changes (slight imperfection in the machining of the caliper body)? Or swap the mounting brackets side to side?

How far have you disassembled things? Could something be not fully reassembled/seated? Like rotors seated to hubs, or adaptors seated to stub axle, etc.? (the old, "if something isn't right, what was the last thing you did?" theory)

Dave

 

[steveg]

One of my rotors was the same way. I made a ring-shaped shim out of steel shim stock with holes for the studs and inserted it between the rotor hat and hub flange, thus moving the rotor outward. You could also use fender washers as long as all were the same thickness.

Washers under the caliper mounting ears would move the caliper outward.

 

[Jack T]

My first reaction was the same as Dave's; as long as the disk isn't fouling the caliper and is running true, it should not affect your braking system. Don't risk creating another problem by attempting to 'fix' it.

 

[steveg]

These fixes are hardly experimental.

Edit: I realize equalizing caliper centering is not strictly necessary. With me, it's kind of a zen thing. I want it to look right as well as be right.

 

[Walter74]

Thanks for the answers. It was also my idea to leave it like this. Yesterday evening I installed the old bearings to see if they would affect the rotor position, but they did not. I try it like this and see how the braking feels.