1971 brake caliper issues Options

[max72914]

Hi everyone, I ordered a new caliper off ebay, for the front left. I got a call from the mechanic that it doesnt fit, and the bolts at the bottom are farther apart. I talked to the seller, and he said that there is nothing wrong and it should fit fine. The original caliper says vw 42 on it, im guessing its 42mm bore? Whos right, the mechanic, or the seller? Could the brakes be from a different car? Thanks,
Max

[Dave_Darling]

First question: Do you have five-lug wheels?

Second question: How far apart are the two mounting bolt holes on the caliper?

Stock 914 parts should have mounting bolts that are 3" on-center apart. A common-ish mod to put 5-lug wheels on is to use 911 struts, some of which fit brakes that are 3.5" on-center apart. Hmm, though with the A or S struts you'd have brake rotors that are very thick and the stock calipers would not fit over at all. So I may be on the wrong track with this.

Still, if the bolts don't fit, it is probably because the bolt holes are a different distance apart. Measure and see what they are.

If you are using late calipers on an early strut (or early calipers on a late strut) the bolts will fit, but the caliper will be badly off-center on the rotor. That is what Stu is describing. But that doesn't seem to fit the description of "the bolts don't fit". So more info would be good.

--DD

[max72914]

First question: Do you have five-lug wheels?

Second question: How far apart are the two mounting bolt holes on the caliper?

Stock 914 parts should have mounting bolts that are 3" on-center apart. A common-ish mod to put 5-lug wheels on is to use 911 struts, some of which fit brakes that are 3.5" on-center apart. Hmm, though with the A or S struts you'd have brake rotors that are very thick and the stock calipers would not fit over at all. So I may be on the wrong track with this.

Still, if the bolts don't fit, it is probably because the bolt holes are a different distance apart. Measure and see what they are.

If you are using late calipers on an early strut (or early calipers on a late strut) the bolts will fit, but the caliper will be badly off-center on the rotor. That is what Stu is describing. But that doesn't seem to fit the description of "the bolts don't fit". So more info would be good.

--DD

Yeah, I talked to the mechanic and he said that the new one is a whole or or so longer than the old. And no, I dont have five lugs, but I sure wish I do!