OK so I have done a quick search and found lots of info on rear calipers, but i have drums on the rears. I'm now wanting to know if the front
calipers are handed. Standard sierra units, reason is I bled the brakes at the weekend and whilst searching for something else I found topics saying
nipples must point upwards.
Seeing as I have just bled the brakes, I cant actually remember if the front nipples pointed up or down so just wanted to check to make sure if they
are handed, I have them on the right side!
Thanks
Andy
If the nipples are at the bottom then when you bleed the brakes then the air won't come out (unless you turn the car upside down!).
This is a perennial problem on Sylva cars as the rear Sierra calipers.....
They are handed.
So the calipers are handed and the nipples need to be at the top for the air to bleed out?
Yes, if they are at the bottom switch them around. Drivers side to passenger side etc. that switches the nipple to the top.
Same goes for the rear calipers as someone mentioned it.
Thanks Ben, I will check tonight and switch them if need to. Bloomin cars!!!
This post had so much potential
Ben always suggests swapping them left to right, but if you're running a Sierra handbrake too, then you will no be able to.
That's rears, but I know people that have. In fact I did before I swapped to golf ally ones. Not sure why your handbrake cable touches the floor
quote:
Originally posted by yellowcab
Ben always suggests swapping them left to right, but if you're running a Sierra handbrake too, then you will no be able to.
Just checked and they are on the top pointing up! Its the rear wheel cyls that are pointing down but cant see how I can change them due to handbrake cable position! Any advice on that welcome!
Put some pictures up!
To bleed the rear you then need to unbolt the calipers from the carrier, pull them off the disc, place something between the pads in place of the disc
to stop the piston moving out, rotate the caliper so the nipple is at the top and THEN bleed it. Once bled revs procedure to refit.
It's a ball-ache to do but should only need doing once unless you have a brake problem in future. If you can mount them the other way then all
well and good, but lots have tried and failed before... except Ben who found it easy 
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
To bleed the rear you then need to unbolt the calipers from the carrier, pull them off the disc, place something between the pads in place of the disc to stop the piston moving out, rotate the caliper so the nipple is at the top and THEN bleed it. Once bled revs procedure to refit.
It's a ball-ache to do but should only need doing once unless you have a brake problem in future. If you can mount them the other way then all well and good, but lots have tried and failed before... except Ben who found it easy
Just deleted my post, but will put something back up. You seem happy with the fronts and asked about the rear drums having the bleed nipple
pointing down.
The slave cylinders from drum brakes on Sierra's Escorts etc similar are not handed. They just have two M10 fine thread holes in the back of the
cylinder.
If you have enough leeway in the pipe work then move the hydraulic feed to the bottom hole and place the bleed in the to hole, this will help when you
have top bleed air out of the system.
On a Standard tin top sierra the cylinder is at the top and the holes are level, but many kit cars have these at an angle to allow easier access for
the pipe work and cable.
Also if I remember correctly the handbreak cable normally comes in from the front of the plate.
All IMHO of course
Adrian
[Edited on 20-5-13 by AdrianH]