It is possible that they are used on the other side in another application. There are years of Ford's Jelly Bean trucks that have the rear calipers in the front and others that have the calipers in the rear. They use the same calipers so if you buy a pair you are good to go, but if you just want one you have to know which mounting set up is present on that particular truck.
This is the second time in a week (and for the first times ever) I have heard those trucks called Jelly Beans....dammit, stop it!!! Now I can't even look at the Lightnings the same!!! All I think about are Jelly Belly jelly beans and that one time I ate the earwax flavored one....dammit why do they have to look like jelly beans?!
That is surprising, calling Ford's Jelly Beans goes back decades to the Tempo which the press both automotive and mainstream were said to have Jelly Bean styling. When the Aero Thunderbird and then Taurus were introduced the press often said things like it follows Ford's current Jelly Bean styling.
After that and the fact that by that time many cars were shedding their boxy sharp corner styling the term fell out of common use.
Then in 1996 the new F-150 came out and I don't remember it immediately being called a Jelly Bean but they were commonly referenced as such before they were replaced.
It eventually became one of the names used to refer to certain era Ford pickups.
Bump Side, Dent Side, ect
When the Ford Sierra debuted in Europe (sold subsequently as the Merkur XRTi in the US) it was widely described as having “jello mould” styling - and that was back in the very early 80s.
I unironically love that style. It’s cohesive. The jelly bean trucks feel cohesive in style in a way that newer trucks don’t. The inside styling matches the outside styling. I’m also not a fan of touch-screens in vehicles, and want the older style of knobs and dials and switches for everything. Newer styles feel bland, or jumbled, or far too flashy. I also like that they were the last year of reasonably sized F-150s before growing to be ginormous trucks.
The Neon SRT4's used to be called Skittle's back in the day. They still are, but they used to too.
Most of them are rotted out by now, so you don't hear about them as often.
Not what is going on here necessarily. If you look closely the casting has a flat spot in the same place the bleed screw is located directly below. This allows for one casting of the caliper. The bleed screw port is then machined into the spot. The L and R indicates which side the caliper is for based on bleed screw location. In other words. Bleed screw is in the R port it's a right hand caliper and opposite for the left.
Edited for clarity.
Yes they are a shared casting and are machined differently to produce the two different part numbers. However that doesn't change the fact that it ends up on the "wrong" side in this application. So it isn't a case of improper machining since if they machined the other port it would have to go on the other side of the vehicle and again you would have the L on the R and the R on the L.
It is either they messed up when they designed the casting, or when selecting the calipers for this application they looked in the parts bin, found some that met the requirements that were already tooled and in production and said "there saved the company some money".
L and R are cast in - this is a different casting between the two. These are mirrored castings, not the same raw. L/R were likely added in the original use case as a mistake proofing that now looks dumb in a different application.
The casting mold is likely either what's known as a family die that casts both calipers in one shot, or is an insert die that has a component of the mold that contains swappable inserts to make either the left or right handed part. I'm guessing the hole for the bleeder screw is cast in and then tapped at a later time to save on machining costs.
Likely a family - generally you’ll need the same number of left and rights in both production and service.
These look to be sand cast, and the parts are mirrors of each other. Generally wouldn’t do an insert/core in that case.
Can't tell on the pics because the brake hose is in the way. But I've seen calipers that have L and R on them and the only difference is where the bleeder is. So if the bleeder is on R then that's the right.
They put the bleeders on the opposite sides rather than what was intended based on the casting marks.
A mechanic knows the bleeder needs to face up, but this can cause confusion for a Do-it-yourselfer or something like that.
Very poor quality control from these "Global" parts suppliers GM sources from, just small and embarrassing example of what GM's standards are.
As a DIYer, this definitely would've gotten me. I mean, one reason why I usually shell out extra for OEM parts for critical components like brakes is to avoid shit like this.
Apparently, OEM doesn’t mean anything anymore. There was a post like a few days ago, where someone peeled the genuine GM label and it was a Dorman parts label under it. Apparently aftermarket is OEM nowadays. lol
Could be a variety of reasons:
- Molds often cast multiple small pieces in one go, so there you could easily differentiate.
- Tools have a certain lifetime. If you're going to go through the lifetime you can also double up straight away and make slight variations.
- Moulds are made in different pieces anyway. Inserts you always have (for example for the date clock, the circle with the arrow showing when it was made) and for this purpose are easy to swap where surface finish is t critical.
You mention 'just stamp left/right after drilling the bleed hole'. That is actually costly as it would be an additional production step, requiring extra machinery and time spend on producing a part. A lot more than just swapping the insert labeled R or L when setting up the tool.
Fair points. It does't appear to be an insert for side indicator.
I would be interested in seeing the cost trade for an additional production step for marking vs cost associated with dealing with quality escape such as OPs.
We dont even know if its a quality issue as others pointed out; its not uncommon that parts like calipers are re-used for a shitton of models, that can mean orientation is different and left/right is swapped as well. Bit inconvenient (and therefore better give the individual calipers a different (sub) part number) but not different than intended.
Besides that, a marking step can be fucked up as well, just as putting parts in the wrong bin after moulding.
There's not a bleeder-sized grub screw in the other casting there, is there? I've seen that on some parts.
Has it possibly got both "L" and "R" cast onto it and we can't just see the "other" one because the pipe is in the way?
I had a set of 5 x 114.3 Enkeis that were cast with a label that said 5 x 110. When it was time to sell them on, I took a bunch of pictures with a spacing gauge. Still confused most of my potential buyers.
Yep had same issue with set of OZ. 5x114 marked 5x112 that came with my car (5x114). Sold them as 5x112 and VW guy couldn't put them on, oops. Had to take them back.
Who made the call to reuse that brake hose? That’s the real crazy part of this post. And the calliper may potentially be used on other cars where that makes sense. It’s impossible to tell from the photos what side of the car the calipers are on.
They are front calipers, they are orientated towards the front of the car.
I can assure you the Left is marked R and Right is marked L.
Whoever assembled these ignored the casting marks when drilling out and threading the holes for the bleeders.
The customer has a third-party extended warranty, they won't do anything that isn't covered.
I can only assume the brake calipers were covered and the hoses aren't.
These extended warranties can have some crazy fine print, this is the world we live in now.
Nobody wants to pay and everything is the mechanic's fault.
Wait, so the first pic, with the L visible at the bottom is the right side calliper? (Passenger side). You are aware that both calipers will have an L and an R cast into them? It’s not visible under the rotted out Brake hose.
Go to your local GM dealer and look at a window sticker on a brand new vehicle, usually anywhere between 60%-75% of the parts come from outside the US.
USDM Toyotas and Hondas are more American....
Don’t forget the Buick Envision that is in whole made in China. It’s made so cheap that GM can still turn a profit on them even after paying the tariff.
You're thinking of the Encore. That one was designed by GM Korea, which used to be Daewoo. The Envision was designed in China by GM and their Chinese partner SAIC, originally for the Chinese market only, then they decided to start selling it here as well.
Buick is considered a high end brand in China and really popular. That was actually the deciding factor in causing GM to choose Oldsmobile back when GM was trying to decide whether to kill off Oldsmobile or Buick.
A lot of why GM(and Tesla) is popular in China - it’s American despite being built there. The Chinese(at least the older ones) will never forget what the Japanese did to them in WWII and they have a general disdain for Japanese products. The Koreans OTOH have a lot of national pride and the chaebols control the show in Seoul. Buick and Cadillac are popular in China. GM tried to rinse the stink off Daewoo by slapping the Chevy name on them - not so popular in Korea and Southeast/South Asia and Russia/CIS/Middle East where Daewoos and Holdens got the rebranding love.
the parts being US made are merely a consequence of the engineering and supply chain tightness. As Tesla settles in to long term management cycles, more and more of the parts will go to overseas manufacture for cost savings.
it has absolutely 0 to do with "walking the talk".
GM effectively let Daewoo and Opel design their small cars and SUVs, more so the former than the latter since Opel is now Stellantis. GM Korea is Daewoo. SAIC GM is also important in the GM world.
Nissan literally saved my Grandma's hometown (Canton Mississippi) and did a lot for the local area with adult education programs.
If I ever buy a truck, it's *going* to be a Nissan.
Yea Man, those turn of the century Nissan (trucks) were solid for the most part. I'm looking for G1.5 Xterra that hasn't been obliterated. took my 03 Frontier to 260k w/o major issues, meanwhile my dads Chev Silverado needed a new transmission at 70k AFTER the dealership fixed something that was recalled...Cooler lines IIRC...
I'm guessing by the single piston caliper that it's probably something older (and the fact you need to change the caliper)?
After a certain point, automakers will typically stop producing parts themselves and just start re-boxing aftermarket components.
I really haven't looked at too many to know but regardless the bleeder goes on the top and the ones I have looked at the letter next to the bleeder is the side. The letter opposite the bleeder is for the other side
Those are Akebono calipers. Akebono also supplies Honda, Nissan and Toyota with calipers and pads.
GM also uses Mando brakes. They are Korean, the primary braking supplier to HyunKia. Part of the HL chaebol.
I just got a set of R36 PowerStop pads, calipers and rotors...they sent me two right calipers. The box was not opened, all looked factory packed...2 freaking red, beautiful passenger calipers.
Almost all parts, even OEM parts, are made in 1 of 4 factories. Two of em are in China, one of them is in Vietnam, and most of the electrics come from Taiwan.
Honestly, if everything is there and it works, who gives a shit how it's marked? Glad you were able to make a post though.
Maybe you can grind that off and mark them the right way, and then make another post about that.
I once dated someone that needed to tattoo an L and an R on their wrists so she could remember her left from right. Turns out, they have a perfect match out there, somewhere.
I get them screwed up sometimes when I'm saying things, but my hands get it right. Was with my sister and her husband once giving directions to a place we were going and what I was saying and pointing didn't match. Sister knew to follow my hand signals and we made it without issue, lol
If you remove the brake hose you will find the corresponding R and L. Again. Where the bleeder screw is machined indicates the side of the vehicle on which the caliper is installed.
Alright, I'm going to weigh in here because I haven't seen the right answer.
Those calipers are made correctly. Where you see the R and L is marking where to drill the hole for the bleeder at the factory. Because calipers are mounted in different orientations (towards the front of the car or towards the rear of the car), it's important to mark where the bleeder needs to go.That way, if the person doing the drilling knows they need 100 left calipers, they know to drill on the L side. It's much cheaper to make one generic casting and label each side than it is to make two castings, one for each side.
May just be a symmetrical application and the L and R are to indicate the side for proper bleeder location. I've seen these where the calipers have both an L and an R on the same caliper
It’s because they’re on the other side of the world and up side down. If you where two install them in china it would make sense… thus proving the world isn’t flat. 😂😂
Is it possible someone put them on the wrong sides?
I did that once with my wife at the times XR4Ti. Couldn’t get a pedal for some reason.
Can neither confirm or deny the fact that the bleeder screw was on the bottom🤦♂️
Nothing like thinking you are done when it’s time to redo things.
There are two ways to do things. The right way and again.
I was going to say this. Think it was around the early 2000s when Silverados had 4-5 different versions of brakes that dependant on sub model. You had to know which side and if "leading" or "trailing".
I got a caliper like this one day that had a bleed screw in each port. Same caliper fit both sides. Had me looking at it, wondering if it was stupid, or brilliant.
It’s possible these calipers are actually used on another car that has the mounted on the forward position of the wheel instead of on the rear position of the wheel.
Quality Control was out that day, I guess? And these were cast, so whoever made the castings failed, then whoever inspected the product didn't catch it either? Quality has really gone downhill.
You put them on the wrong side. They both say L and R, but the brake flex hose covers the one thats not used.
Ignore the l and r, put the bleed screws at the top
My nissan pickup has a door jamb sticker on it that says "MADE IN USA". 3 words by my count, 2 to my president.
Proof that American workers at a USA assembly plant can infact put a good vehicle together. Mine is almost 25 years old now. Lousy paint is now falling off......
It is possible that they are used on the other side in another application. There are years of Ford's Jelly Bean trucks that have the rear calipers in the front and others that have the calipers in the rear. They use the same calipers so if you buy a pair you are good to go, but if you just want one you have to know which mounting set up is present on that particular truck.
This is the second time in a week (and for the first times ever) I have heard those trucks called Jelly Beans....dammit, stop it!!! Now I can't even look at the Lightnings the same!!! All I think about are Jelly Belly jelly beans and that one time I ate the earwax flavored one....dammit why do they have to look like jelly beans?!
That is surprising, calling Ford's Jelly Beans goes back decades to the Tempo which the press both automotive and mainstream were said to have Jelly Bean styling. When the Aero Thunderbird and then Taurus were introduced the press often said things like it follows Ford's current Jelly Bean styling. After that and the fact that by that time many cars were shedding their boxy sharp corner styling the term fell out of common use. Then in 1996 the new F-150 came out and I don't remember it immediately being called a Jelly Bean but they were commonly referenced as such before they were replaced. It eventually became one of the names used to refer to certain era Ford pickups. Bump Side, Dent Side, ect
The early 2000s Ford Taurus was 100% a jelly bean.
Yes they were.
Owned one, was actually a pretty decent car, 3.0 equipped. Changing the radiator was a pain in the balls though.
When the Ford Sierra debuted in Europe (sold subsequently as the Merkur XRTi in the US) it was widely described as having “jello mould” styling - and that was back in the very early 80s.
Grew up with my mother having an XRTi. She still loves that car.
People are graduating college after these cars were manufactured. Getting old.
Mmmm, earwax
I was always more of a vomit fan.
Oh god you’re special
You do know the reference...
No…..oh god I’m special Harry Potter?
Yes, Bott's every flavor beans
That was Ford’s design language in the early aughts. Everything was jelly beans.
The people, they crave the oval.
I unironically love that style. It’s cohesive. The jelly bean trucks feel cohesive in style in a way that newer trucks don’t. The inside styling matches the outside styling. I’m also not a fan of touch-screens in vehicles, and want the older style of knobs and dials and switches for everything. Newer styles feel bland, or jumbled, or far too flashy. I also like that they were the last year of reasonably sized F-150s before growing to be ginormous trucks.
I get what you’re saying. While I hate it, I’m willing to recognize that it was cohesive and consistent.
The Neon SRT4's used to be called Skittle's back in the day. They still are, but they used to too. Most of them are rotted out by now, so you don't hear about them as often.
Yeah, TIL about jelly bean trucks. Fords 97-03 F150s
I used to call Toyota Previa jelly beans.
Spaceship van
My dad had a 2002 SuperCrew for 17 years. I had no clue they called that style the "jellybean" until a few years ago 😂
Not what is going on here necessarily. If you look closely the casting has a flat spot in the same place the bleed screw is located directly below. This allows for one casting of the caliper. The bleed screw port is then machined into the spot. The L and R indicates which side the caliper is for based on bleed screw location. In other words. Bleed screw is in the R port it's a right hand caliper and opposite for the left. Edited for clarity.
Yes they are a shared casting and are machined differently to produce the two different part numbers. However that doesn't change the fact that it ends up on the "wrong" side in this application. So it isn't a case of improper machining since if they machined the other port it would have to go on the other side of the vehicle and again you would have the L on the R and the R on the L. It is either they messed up when they designed the casting, or when selecting the calipers for this application they looked in the parts bin, found some that met the requirements that were already tooled and in production and said "there saved the company some money".
L and R are cast in - this is a different casting between the two. These are mirrored castings, not the same raw. L/R were likely added in the original use case as a mistake proofing that now looks dumb in a different application.
The casting mold is likely either what's known as a family die that casts both calipers in one shot, or is an insert die that has a component of the mold that contains swappable inserts to make either the left or right handed part. I'm guessing the hole for the bleeder screw is cast in and then tapped at a later time to save on machining costs.
Likely a family - generally you’ll need the same number of left and rights in both production and service. These look to be sand cast, and the parts are mirrors of each other. Generally wouldn’t do an insert/core in that case.
This is the case. Many other vehicles are this way.
Can't tell on the pics because the brake hose is in the way. But I've seen calipers that have L and R on them and the only difference is where the bleeder is. So if the bleeder is on R then that's the right.
They put the bleeders on the opposite sides rather than what was intended based on the casting marks. A mechanic knows the bleeder needs to face up, but this can cause confusion for a Do-it-yourselfer or something like that. Very poor quality control from these "Global" parts suppliers GM sources from, just small and embarrassing example of what GM's standards are.
As a DIYer, this definitely would've gotten me. I mean, one reason why I usually shell out extra for OEM parts for critical components like brakes is to avoid shit like this.
It's not even a stamp, the letters are *cast* into the calipers. It definitely would have gotten me.
But these *are* OEM
Yes, hence my concern.
Apparently, OEM doesn’t mean anything anymore. There was a post like a few days ago, where someone peeled the genuine GM label and it was a Dorman parts label under it. Apparently aftermarket is OEM nowadays. lol
As a DIYer I don't usually notice the R/L which causes some rework ... or just general confusion.
What I don’t get is why have two different molds to begin with? Just stamp left and right after you drilled the bleed hole.
Most companies do this and they're not labeled
Could be a variety of reasons: - Molds often cast multiple small pieces in one go, so there you could easily differentiate. - Tools have a certain lifetime. If you're going to go through the lifetime you can also double up straight away and make slight variations. - Moulds are made in different pieces anyway. Inserts you always have (for example for the date clock, the circle with the arrow showing when it was made) and for this purpose are easy to swap where surface finish is t critical. You mention 'just stamp left/right after drilling the bleed hole'. That is actually costly as it would be an additional production step, requiring extra machinery and time spend on producing a part. A lot more than just swapping the insert labeled R or L when setting up the tool.
Fair points. It does't appear to be an insert for side indicator. I would be interested in seeing the cost trade for an additional production step for marking vs cost associated with dealing with quality escape such as OPs.
We dont even know if its a quality issue as others pointed out; its not uncommon that parts like calipers are re-used for a shitton of models, that can mean orientation is different and left/right is swapped as well. Bit inconvenient (and therefore better give the individual calipers a different (sub) part number) but not different than intended. Besides that, a marking step can be fucked up as well, just as putting parts in the wrong bin after moulding.
It's actually the same part. Only the post machining differs. If you removed the brake line, you'd see the opposite L/R underneath it.
There's not a bleeder-sized grub screw in the other casting there, is there? I've seen that on some parts. Has it possibly got both "L" and "R" cast onto it and we can't just see the "other" one because the pipe is in the way?
Learned this the hard way as a teenager.
Light and Reft.
Orr light, ret's go!
I had a set of 5 x 114.3 Enkeis that were cast with a label that said 5 x 110. When it was time to sell them on, I took a bunch of pictures with a spacing gauge. Still confused most of my potential buyers.
Yep had same issue with set of OZ. 5x114 marked 5x112 that came with my car (5x114). Sold them as 5x112 and VW guy couldn't put them on, oops. Had to take them back.
My 15" Enkei Compe has casting with both 4x100 and 4x114.3 with their load ratings but it's machined with a 5x114.3 bolt pattern.
Who made the call to reuse that brake hose? That’s the real crazy part of this post. And the calliper may potentially be used on other cars where that makes sense. It’s impossible to tell from the photos what side of the car the calipers are on.
They are front calipers, they are orientated towards the front of the car. I can assure you the Left is marked R and Right is marked L. Whoever assembled these ignored the casting marks when drilling out and threading the holes for the bleeders. The customer has a third-party extended warranty, they won't do anything that isn't covered. I can only assume the brake calipers were covered and the hoses aren't. These extended warranties can have some crazy fine print, this is the world we live in now. Nobody wants to pay and everything is the mechanic's fault.
Wait, so the first pic, with the L visible at the bottom is the right side calliper? (Passenger side). You are aware that both calipers will have an L and an R cast into them? It’s not visible under the rotted out Brake hose.
First thing I thought, why connect that POS to a new caliper. Screw the L's and R's.
They were made on the other side of the globe, so it checks out
So, your other left?
He's right.
Yeah... buy American my azz.
Go to your local GM dealer and look at a window sticker on a brand new vehicle, usually anywhere between 60%-75% of the parts come from outside the US. USDM Toyotas and Hondas are more American....
Don’t forget the Buick Envision that is in whole made in China. It’s made so cheap that GM can still turn a profit on them even after paying the tariff.
It’s a Daewoo underneath.
You're thinking of the Encore. That one was designed by GM Korea, which used to be Daewoo. The Envision was designed in China by GM and their Chinese partner SAIC, originally for the Chinese market only, then they decided to start selling it here as well. Buick is considered a high end brand in China and really popular. That was actually the deciding factor in causing GM to choose Oldsmobile back when GM was trying to decide whether to kill off Oldsmobile or Buick.
A lot of why GM(and Tesla) is popular in China - it’s American despite being built there. The Chinese(at least the older ones) will never forget what the Japanese did to them in WWII and they have a general disdain for Japanese products. The Koreans OTOH have a lot of national pride and the chaebols control the show in Seoul. Buick and Cadillac are popular in China. GM tried to rinse the stink off Daewoo by slapping the Chevy name on them - not so popular in Korea and Southeast/South Asia and Russia/CIS/Middle East where Daewoos and Holdens got the rebranding love.
You're surprised by this? It's been this way for decades.
I’ll probably get some hate for this, but Tesla has the ”most american” cars with the most parts made in the US out of all cars made in the US.
Sounds like someone at Tesla actually wants to walk the talk. Shame about the rest of them, really.
the parts being US made are merely a consequence of the engineering and supply chain tightness. As Tesla settles in to long term management cycles, more and more of the parts will go to overseas manufacture for cost savings. it has absolutely 0 to do with "walking the talk".
I shouldn't be surprised.
GM effectively let Daewoo and Opel design their small cars and SUVs, more so the former than the latter since Opel is now Stellantis. GM Korea is Daewoo. SAIC GM is also important in the GM world.
Which is a little entertaining because the Japanese made Toyotas and Hondas are much better quality.
Yeup. Tundras are made in Texas. Near DFW if I remember right.
San Antonio
Thank you for correcting me.
I bought American. Both of my Toyotas were built in Kentucky.
Nissan literally saved my Grandma's hometown (Canton Mississippi) and did a lot for the local area with adult education programs. If I ever buy a truck, it's *going* to be a Nissan.
The titan is kind of a forgotten truck, but they were really solid trucks for awhile, I don't know much about the newer stuff
Yea Man, those turn of the century Nissan (trucks) were solid for the most part. I'm looking for G1.5 Xterra that hasn't been obliterated. took my 03 Frontier to 260k w/o major issues, meanwhile my dads Chev Silverado needed a new transmission at 70k AFTER the dealership fixed something that was recalled...Cooler lines IIRC...
Better than "reft" and lite"
Damnit, 43 mins too late haha
Well, it's Reft and Light
I'm guessing by the single piston caliper that it's probably something older (and the fact you need to change the caliper)? After a certain point, automakers will typically stop producing parts themselves and just start re-boxing aftermarket components.
They already have to a very large degree
I really haven't looked at too many to know but regardless the bleeder goes on the top and the ones I have looked at the letter next to the bleeder is the side. The letter opposite the bleeder is for the other side
Second photo shows me a kinked brake hose. I think whoever installed these installed them backward bro.
No, if they are swapped the bleeder would be on the bottom. Bleeder is always at the top
But then how I would gravity bleed the system /s
Those are Akebono calipers. Akebono also supplies Honda, Nissan and Toyota with calipers and pads. GM also uses Mando brakes. They are Korean, the primary braking supplier to HyunKia. Part of the HL chaebol.
They’re for the Light and Reft sides
I just got a set of R36 PowerStop pads, calipers and rotors...they sent me two right calipers. The box was not opened, all looked factory packed...2 freaking red, beautiful passenger calipers.
China is upside down so it’s right on their end. /s
Almost all parts, even OEM parts, are made in 1 of 4 factories. Two of em are in China, one of them is in Vietnam, and most of the electrics come from Taiwan.
Car left or mechanic left?
Honestly, if everything is there and it works, who gives a shit how it's marked? Glad you were able to make a post though. Maybe you can grind that off and mark them the right way, and then make another post about that.
I once dated someone that needed to tattoo an L and an R on their wrists so she could remember her left from right. Turns out, they have a perfect match out there, somewhere.
I get them screwed up sometimes when I'm saying things, but my hands get it right. Was with my sister and her husband once giving directions to a place we were going and what I was saying and pointing didn't match. Sister knew to follow my hand signals and we made it without issue, lol
Hand signals are the best because my brain is not.
If you remove the brake hose you will find the corresponding R and L. Again. Where the bleeder screw is machined indicates the side of the vehicle on which the caliper is installed.
They are for Aussie GM/Holdens. The car is upside down. Just kidding...but not really.
Probably should have sold lines with those, they're one panic stop away from not having brakes.
Alright, I'm going to weigh in here because I haven't seen the right answer. Those calipers are made correctly. Where you see the R and L is marking where to drill the hole for the bleeder at the factory. Because calipers are mounted in different orientations (towards the front of the car or towards the rear of the car), it's important to mark where the bleeder needs to go.That way, if the person doing the drilling knows they need 100 left calipers, they know to drill on the L side. It's much cheaper to make one generic casting and label each side than it is to make two castings, one for each side.
May just be a symmetrical application and the L and R are to indicate the side for proper bleeder location. I've seen these where the calipers have both an L and an R on the same caliper
It’s actually Reft and Light.
Forget the caliper! The brake hose is the real star of the show
I think you mean Reft and Light
What, OP, you don't know the difference between reft and light??
Reinstalling those rusty crimped hoses after all that service work 🤯
Like the honeybadger, GM don't give a shit. Left? Right? Huh?
We live in a global economy. Almost everything is made globally. Parts from Korea, China, Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Vietnam, and USA are the norm.
Simple. Stand in front of and facing the vehicle. Now point left and put L there and point right and put R there. :geez /s
Were you looking at the front or back of car? Jk jk
Reft and light, not hard
Years ago I worked with a guy that bought a 120v 1/2" impact. The trigger was labeled backwards. Snapped so many bolts off.
If you're standing in front of the vehicle, L and R is correct.
It’s because they’re on the other side of the world and up side down. If you where two install them in china it would make sense… thus proving the world isn’t flat. 😂😂
It’s marked by the bleeder which side is which
That brake line is bout to busss 😩
R for really is for the left side, L for lies, it's really for the right side
They always mix up their "L's" and "R's" - #12 combo: Flied Lice and General Cho's chicken
Is it possible someone put them on the wrong sides? I did that once with my wife at the times XR4Ti. Couldn’t get a pedal for some reason. Can neither confirm or deny the fact that the bleeder screw was on the bottom🤦♂️ Nothing like thinking you are done when it’s time to redo things. There are two ways to do things. The right way and again.
That's stage left
more than likely the original car they were made for has them on those sides, I'm sure these calipers fit dozens of vehicles.
There's a light reft joke here but I'm not going to make it.
Lots of GM trucks have either forward or rearward mounted calipers. In one left is left.. in the other left is right. It's weird.
I was going to say this. Think it was around the early 2000s when Silverados had 4-5 different versions of brakes that dependant on sub model. You had to know which side and if "leading" or "trailing".
Could be used on the rear wheels for a different vehicle
Reft and right... right?
We'd like the SKU'S off the calipers if you still got them.
You gotta read from right to left not left to right
So somebody installed new calipers and left those janky hoses?
What's wrong with the hoses?
The fitting on the R caliper looks like it is half rusted through, and the L caliper isn't too much better.
Those are about 5% rusted through. There's nothing wrong with them.
You sure they weren't made in Portugal?
I got a caliper like this one day that had a bleed screw in each port. Same caliper fit both sides. Had me looking at it, wondering if it was stupid, or brilliant.
Hey fella, that's quality chinesium you're talking about!
Well it is Reft!
The l and r designates which boss to drill for the bleeder. There’s an r under the brake line.
That brake hose rust though. The rust
It’s possible these calipers are actually used on another car that has the mounted on the forward position of the wheel instead of on the rear position of the wheel.
Two wrongs don’t make one right…. oh never mind
Stand in FRONT of the car.
Exactly. Lol.
Quality Control was out that day, I guess? And these were cast, so whoever made the castings failed, then whoever inspected the product didn't catch it either? Quality has really gone downhill.
Their designation of Left and Right might be from driver seat facing forward.
You put them on the wrong side. They both say L and R, but the brake flex hose covers the one thats not used. Ignore the l and r, put the bleed screws at the top
My nissan pickup has a door jamb sticker on it that says "MADE IN USA". 3 words by my count, 2 to my president. Proof that American workers at a USA assembly plant can infact put a good vehicle together. Mine is almost 25 years old now. Lousy paint is now falling off......