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1973 Brake caliper... Slider?

Started by d_saum, September 07, 2015, 09:42:32 PM

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d_saum

Hey folks.. I'm trying to buy some new brake parts for my 73 SE. When looking at the calipers, I see options for with, and without slider calipers. What exactly is a slider caliper and how do I know if that's what mine already has?  I've tried looking it up on google, but can't seem to find a good explanation.  Thanks!

ODZKing

The brake experts no doubt will correct me if I am wrong but ...
Our 73s have a piston that moves in and out to create pressure against the rotor to stop the car in front.
These pistons back in the day would freeze and hang. at least they would on my 73 back then. I believe we have sliding calipers, at least that is what I read in the service manual, but I am not 100% on that.
Here is what "How stuff Works" says:
There are two main types of calipers: floating (or sliding) calipers and fixed calipers. Floating calipers move in and out relative to the rotor and have one or two pistons only on the inboard side of the rotor. This piston pushes the entire caliper when the brakes are applied, creating friction from the brake pads on both sides of the rotor. Fixed calipers, as the name implies, don't move, but rather have pistons arranged on opposing sides of the rotor. Fixed calipers are generally preferred for their performance, but are more expensive than the floating kind. Some high-performance fixed calipers have two or more pairs of pistons (or "pots") arranged on each side of the rotor -- some have as many as six pairs total.

TeleThunder

Hi
I had the same problem when I wanted to order new brakes for my 73 Charger, pin type or slider type caliper.. Did google both and found photos of each type, but tonigth I can not find it. But try and you will be rewarded ;)

d_saum

Thanks for the info guys.. So is there anyway I can tell what I have by looking at my calipers?  (sorry.. I'm not a brake guy..lol). And if I want to switch to whatever is the better option, do I have to change spindles and all that other jazz?  Thanks!

Bob

Since your doing a complete brake job to include fluid just take one off and take it with you to the parts store.

ODZKing

Don't know that you can change without changing everything, possibly even spindles. Our rotors are a hub and rotor. They even come with new lugs in the rotor as opposed to the newer ones that you just purchase the rotor.
I had checked NAPA a while back and they had everything, preloaded calipers and all and it was going to run me around $170 or so.

Here are the rotors: Chrysler pn - NAPA pn 4885566 -
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Rotor-Hub-Assy-Front-Premium/_/R-NB_4885566_0204660725

Caliper (R) 3580854 - NAPA pn CAL SE4614
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Caliper-w-Hardware-Right-Front-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-Remfd/_/R-SEBSE4614_0333210007

(L) 3580855 - NAPA SE4615
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Caliper-w-Hardware-Left-Front-Eclipse-Semi-Loaded-Remfd/_/R-SEBSE4615_0333210035

John_Kunkel

Quote from: d_saum on September 07, 2015, 09:42:32 PM
Hey folks.. I'm trying to buy some new brake parts for my 73 SE. When looking at the calipers, I see options for with, and without slider calipers. What exactly is a slider caliper and how do I know if that's what mine already has? 

In '73 the B-body had pin calipers, the A-body had sliding calipers.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

ODZKing

As I said, I know someone would correct me. 
In any case, those numbers are from the 73 parts book and cross on the NAPA website.  Those are what you need.

Nacho-RT74

Pin Caliper:



Slider caliper




These are the pads for each one:





Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Nacho-RT74

Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html