FIRST.....NAPA HAS A GLITCH IN THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM.....IN TWO WAYS.....

ONE IS THAT THE COMPUTER SAYS THAT BOTH SIDES USE THE SAME PART.....TWO IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC ORDERING FEATURE ON THEIR SYSTEM IS ONLY ORDERING ONE PART NUMBER.....BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT ONLY ONE PART NUMBER IS NEEDED SINCE ONLY ONE PART NUMBER IS BEING DEPLETED FROM INVENTORY.....

SECOND.....I WOULD ONLY REPLACE CALIPERS IN SETS.....SO THAT I GET EVEN BRAKING ON BOTH REAR OR BOTH FRONT WHEELS.....IF YOU CHOOSE TO ONLY REPLACE ONE.....I WOULD AT LEAST MATCH METAL PISTONS FOR METAL PISTONS.....

HAVE NAPA CALL THEIR DISTRICT SUPPLY OFFICE AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE STORE STOCK AND COMPUTER ISSUES.....

 

Thanks for the input. Interesting idea about the NAPA computers, I'll have to inquire.

As for replacing both calipers at the same time, I haven't always done that but get the concern, especially with the plastic vs metal pistons.

Anyone else have input or had a similar issue? I find it hard to believe that it's this hard to get the right caliper. I just want to get this truck working again.

Scott

 

Even searching around on other auto parts websites I find that the metal piston versions are listed as 'fits both sides' - then how do you bleed an upside down caliper? Other than removing it and bleeding it while disconnected - that can't be the way?
Scott

 

why not go someplace else ?

I have seen the loaded Autozone caliper for your truck and it had a metal piston and looked like a decent rebuild of an OEM housing

the phenolic is supposed to keep fluid from boiling from heat transfer and pushing the piston out but I would prefer metal myself

since i never ride my brakes that hard heat transfer at the piston isn't a high concern for me

 

Was just trying to keep the return process simple I'm going to be returning the one they sold me and it's covered in brake fluid now.
That is what led me to the other websites that for some reason tell me that the metal piston caliper can be used on both sides.
If I can only find the plastic caliper version that will fit my truck correctly I may just buy both rear calipers and be done with this.
again I'm not even sure why mine has the metal piston calipers, acccording to the build date it should not.
Thanks for the reply, and the info on the plastic ones, I didn't know the purpose. I thought they are just cheaper.
Scott

 

keep us posted

 

also IIRC some older Fords have calipers on opposing sides so in that case the location of the bleeder is the same

maybe this is where your NAPA issue lies ?

 

maybe ask for a 2001 ?

This issue has been covered many times on this site in the past. Early design P131 vehicles used only one caliper design, and like the Crown Vics, the drivers side caliper mounted to the front of the axle and the passenger side to the rear of the axle. Later around the 2000 model year the brake and axle design was changed and the drivers side caliper moved behind the axle like the pass side. Some aftermarket parts books do or do not take this into account, or they countermen haven't learned to read correctly.

 

Ah now that is a possibility, I did read something similar about in front vs behind the axle. Mine were both behind but yeah good idea to have them try the other years. I'm going to the store on my lunch, with my old caliper. Over the phone doesn't always cut it. I'll let ya know how this works out. Thank you.

 

Early SDs used staggered calipers, Ford decided it was a bad idea and "updated" them to non staggered.


Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

This is another reason I go to the rock auto site first when sourcing parts. Their catalog is very good at listing these nuances. This is really important with the SD as it has many mid year changes. Even if you buy somewhere else, it is a great reference, and you will see that the prices are very good. I have found items at the local Advanced with close prices, but also items that are 3x rock auto prices. I have used 1A also very good, mostly for lights and lenses.

 

Thanks a lot guys. To make matters worse, turns out my driver's rear caliper is stamped with the plastic piston part number and has metal pistons. So that's where a lot of the confusion came in.
So now I'm buying a pair, replacing both sides with the plastic piston calipers and going to be done with this. Not sure how it got this way but I've had the truck 10 years and it wasn't me.

At least I'm not stuck figuring out how to bleed an upside down caliper and I'll have a warranty on both sides.

Scott

 

good call pulling a caliper to flip and bleed it plus having and blocking the pads open is lame anyway

 

I had to do this on my dad's 2004 Dodge 1500. He picked up two rear calipers for his truck from NAPA. One carton was clearly marked 'LEFT' and the other 'RIGHT', however, the calipers inside were exactly the same... both LEFT.

Since the store was over an hour's drive away (he lives out in the sticks), we had no choice but to block the pistons and bleed the caliper before installing it. Works fine but it sure is a PITA.

 

well in that case it wasn't lame

LOL