What is caliper "carrier"?

[syrjohn]

What is caliper \"carrier\"?

At least 1 website selling VW Golf brake calipers says "without carrier" to describe the caliper (it is about $80 cheaper this way). Is this a likely part to fail and, if not, is it easily replaced and reused? Also, do any of the suppliers sell the caliper "preloaded" (with pads already installed"?

Any comments on the wisdom of any of this?

John

 

[Occams_Razor]

What is caliper \"carrier\"?

At least 1 website selling VW Golf brake calipers says "without carrier" to describe the caliper (it is about $80 cheaper this way). Is this a likely part to fail and, if not, is it easily replaced and reused? Also, do any of the suppliers sell the caliper "preloaded" (with pads already installed"?

Any comments on the wisdom of any of this?

John

The carrier is the actual part on which the caliper "floats".

The TDI, (and 2Slows), use a carrier that is an integral part of the steering knuckle. The integral carrier is the reason you cannot just bolt on larger brakes from the 1.8T or GTI, GLI, etc.

The 1.8T's use a seperate carrier that bolts on to the steering knuckle. Changing the carrier, (from a 20th Ann. or or Audi TT), allows you to use larger discs while still using the same caliper, (the carrier just positions the caliper further out).

 

[syrjohn]

What is caliper \"carrier\"?

The part I'm looking at is the rear caliper, so it shouldn't involve a complexity like the steering knuckle.

John

 

[Occams_Razor]

What is caliper \"carrier\"?

Both TDI's and GTI's etc use carriers on the rear also.

Same principal. Unless you are going to larger discs you shouldn't need the carriers.