1990 Front Caliper Replacement Issue (pics) *resolved*

[slipstream808]

This is on my 1990 TSi with the LSD and NO ABS. This is for the passenger side front caliper. It had been not releasing correctly and I went through Pep Boys to get a new remanned caliper.

I get the part in and it looks wrong. Now as a warning:

I KNOW I got the wrong side. That has been confirmed, but still, I think what they gave me was wrong. There is an extra support for the bracket that mine does not have. Also they just don't look the same.

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Also can be seen are the replacement rubber parts that come with it that just do not fit.

Now the '90s have some weird issues I know of. So I'm thinking that maybe I need a caliper from an '89 or from a '92 or something. Lemme know guys so I can call and make this right. Thanks so much!

*UPDATE*
I talked to my friend at Pep Boys and I asked him. He said 91-92's are different and he ordered that part in for me tomorrow. Hopefully one of the two matches. But if anyone knows otherwise lemme know. I'm all ears here!

 

[HIGHPSI4]

I have never known that there is a difference in the 1G rear caliper. AFAIK they are all the same.

 

[rush2252]

^^^ apparently youve never used the hollander or CAPS system. There are slight differences in casting numbers on some parts that look identical. I would bet its a flaw in their catalogging system. Either that or you got a 1g NT caliper or it was a mid year thing. Possibly AWD instead of FWD??


If your ever in doubt compare casting numbers. Most calipers are reman OEM's so they should still have the original casting numbers

Good Luck
Kolby

EDIT** call me crazy but the new one looks similar to the awd 2g caliper WTF not 100% on that but looking through my wheel in my avatar

 

[slipstream808]

I have never known that there is a difference in the 1G rear caliper. AFAIK they are all the same.

Um I'm talking about a front caliper, not the rear one.

If your ever in doubt compare casting numbers. Most calipers are reman OEM's so they should still have the original casting numbers.

The numbers do not match up. Too bad they (PepBoys) don't go by the casting number on the caliper.

 

[eclipsh]

You know this would be a great time to upgrade to 2 piston front calipers. They make a world of difference, particularly on the 90 AWD which had the smallest front calipers and rotors of any year. You can pick up a set at a you-pull yard for $100 or less and buy a rebuild kit to freshen them up. I couldn't believe how much better my braking was after the swap on my 90.

 

[slipstream808]

All said and done I got the correct caliper. It was the one off of the later '90s. Weird.

I'm not going to upgrade, though. This car has a lot of body rust and the transmission is NOT the best. It is my beater car through and through. I might part some stuff out when done but not much. It just needs to work for another winter is all. The spyder is my fun car.

 

[HIGHPSI4]

Yea, sorry. I guess I saw the single pot caliper picture and thought rear caliper. Old age is A PITA.