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The most efficient way for a technician to make sure the disc brakes on an axle will deliver like-new performance is to install a pair of loaded calipers. Using a matched, mirror image pair of precision remanufactured calipers, complete with new hardware and shims and top-of-the-line pads already in place, is a great time saver. Because the hardware is pre-lubed as well as pre-installed, using loaded calipers in pairs greatly reduces the chances of a hardware hang up that can lead to pulls or premature pad wear. Installing loaded calipers in pairs also ensures that the pistons and seals are in good shape, preventing slow or incomplete piston retraction that results in pulling or wear.

Q But aren't there times when it's either unnecessary or impractical to replace both calipers, like when a collision damages one caliper in a car with brakes that have just been serviced? Installers don't like these situations because they wind up having a leftover pair of pads.

A Brake service should always be done in pairs. Whenever you replace one caliper or service only one side of the car, you are taking the chance that you will have uneven braking from side to side which usually results in the car pulling to one side or the other.

Q It sounds like you're saying there is a solution to the problem.

A Yes. In this case, semi-loaded calipers would allow you to replace the calipers without throwing away the good friction material. Semi-loaded calipers are similar to fully loaded calipers since they are precision remanufactured and carefully inspected with all new, pre-lubed hardware and soft parts replaced. Bendix[R] Select semi-loaded calipers also come equipped with shims, however, there aren't any pads installed, so it gives technicians the option to install the friction of choice.

Q This should result in fewer situations when customers ask, "How do I stock calipers when many vehicles use different kinds of friction material?"

A There is one big advantage for the technician who has to stock parts for all the different cars and trucks on the market. He can offer better coverage with fewer SKUs. In many cases, similar vehicles use exactly the same calipers but because of different performance requirements, the factory may have equipped one with NAO, another with semi-metallics and yet another with ceramics. One pair of semi-loaded calipers--along with the appropriate pads--provides in-stock coverage for all these variants.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:53 AM