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Confusing design of front brake caliper on old 1-ton van.


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BobPeters61
New User

Nov 24, 2023, 6:16 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1262 views)
Confusing design of front brake caliper on old 1-ton van. Sign In

The right front caliper on my 1993 GMC G3500 extended van needs replacing. I was originally planning to do this at the same time I replaced a leaking master cylinder, but this caliper has a design that has me stumped. No slide pins, just overlapping lips on the caliper and bracket with a weird type of clip between the rearward side of the caliper and the bracket.
This clip mostly lays flat on the bracket, with a modified U-beam wrapping around the edge of the bracket and another lip extending out to catch one on the caliper. There is a "flat" spring shaped similar to a recurve bow holding the clip and caliper apart, but not out of reach of the lip that holds the caliper down. Finally, this clip has a small screw in one of two big holes holding it down (as if needed) to the bracket. The new one has a clip that ends in the middle of those two holes.
I've tried every approach I could think of until I had to step back and finally made sure it was all put together and bled out my brakes (new master cylinder) knowing just have to bleed them again when I learn how to undo this odd caliper.
Any serious advice would be helpful.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 24, 2023, 8:07 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1253 views)
Re: Confusing design of front brake caliper on old 1-ton van. Sign In

Is this the setup you have?





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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



BobPeters61
New User

Nov 24, 2023, 8:18 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1249 views)
Re: Confusing design of front brake caliper on old 1-ton van. Sign In

Yep, that's the one. I was considering going out and taking a photo to post, but your diagram is the exact design that has me baffled.
I can't help suspecting that there is some sort of special tool required. If not, then surely there is a clever procedure I'm failing to figure out.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 24, 2023, 8:27 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1244 views)
Re: Confusing design of front brake caliper on old 1-ton van. Sign In

Nope, the only thing you need is a hammer, punch and some brake lube.

That arched piece is a spring the caliper slides on. The screw locks the mechanism (support key) in place. Remove the screw and drive the slider (support key) out the other side. When putting it back together lube the grooves in the caliper (top and bottom) and the spring strip and drive the two pieces back into place and line up the slot for the screw to go back in.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 24, 2023, 8:28 AM)






 
 
 






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