Why do the back brake calipers look different than the front?

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Old 04-10-2018, 02:29 PM
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Why do the back brake calipers look different than the front?

Just bought the car, 2008 Acura TL. Why do my front brake calipers look different than the back? I'm not a car guy but I'm trying to learn. Are they missing covers?


Old 04-10-2018, 02:42 PM
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They are different. Bigger brakes on front... Type S and manual cars get even bigger brakes on front.... Just ugly calipers that you can paint if you feel the need. Thinking about painting them myself... Lots of ppl here have done it and it looks good.
Old 04-10-2018, 02:44 PM
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No covers missing, rears calipers/rotors are smaller.
Old 04-10-2018, 02:46 PM
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https://www.google.com/search?q=why+...firefox-b-1-ab
Old 04-11-2018, 08:59 AM
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If anybody tells you the rear breaks (sic) need more air to pump them up to the same size as the fronts, don't believe them.
Old 04-11-2018, 11:52 AM
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What?! That is an outright lie. You *totally* have to pump them up to be the same size. Someone failed to do that step on OPs car. Uh oh.
Old 04-11-2018, 12:01 PM
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Do you think it's covered under warranty?!
Old 04-11-2018, 02:59 PM
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Isn't the nipple on calipers for putting air in? Do I have to take out the winter air soon?
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Old 04-11-2018, 03:08 PM
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LoL. So many smartasses here.

Most vehicles have larger brakes up front with smaller brakes in the back. This is simply because the front brakes soak up the brunt of the force when braking. Therefore, they need to be a bit beefier. For a long time, drum brakes were used on the rear axle because the rear wheels don't need to "brake" as hard, and drum brakes, while less effective than discs, were also cheaper. Sometimes you'll still see drums on less expensive vehicles.

Anyway, totally normal. It's the status quo with most vehicles.
Old 04-11-2018, 04:07 PM
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Let's not forget, the rear brakes are smaller because you don't want to fishtail on hard or slippery stops.
Old 04-11-2018, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Joecop67
Isn't the nipple on calipers for putting air in? Do I have to take out the winter air soon?
I heard some guys replace winter air with nitrogen for summer.
Old 04-11-2018, 08:55 PM
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Smartasses? Us??

Originally Posted by losiglow
LoL. So many smartasses here.

Most vehicles have larger brakes up front with smaller brakes in the back. This is simply because the front brakes soak up the brunt of the force when braking. Therefore, they need to be a bit beefier. For a long time, drum brakes were used on the rear axle because the rear wheels don't need to "brake" as hard, and drum brakes, while less effective than discs, were also cheaper. Sometimes you'll still see drums on less expensive vehicles.

Anyway, totally normal. It's the status quo with most vehicles.
For a long time, drum brakes were used on the front of vehicles as well as the rear--braking in rain could get hairy. I know.
We're nice--Post the OP question on the BMW forums and watch the carnage...
Old 04-12-2018, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Pair of TLs
-Post the OP question on the BMW forums and watch the carnage...
Well, I don't mean to propagate the old stereotype of BMW owners but you know what they say.

Old 04-12-2018, 02:36 PM
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ugh.. had to edit the title


why is spelling so hard?
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Old 04-13-2018, 09:53 AM
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OP please get a drill and wire brush and get to work
that rust is terrible looking.
Old 04-13-2018, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Joecop67
Isn't the nipple on calipers for putting air in? Do I have to take out the winter air soon?

The bad ass response of all time.
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Old 04-13-2018, 11:28 PM
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I sold the car and bought a Volkswagen bug, I don't deserve better 😢
Old 04-13-2018, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Nickchamberlin
I sold the car and bought a Volkswagen bug, I don't deserve better ��
Funny thing, if you bought a "real bug", due to the rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration, the brakes on the back would need to be roughly as large as the front brakes.
Old 04-14-2018, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Nickchamberlin
I sold the car and bought a Volkswagen bug, I don't deserve better 😢
Lol
Old 04-14-2018, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
Funny thing, if you bought a "real bug", due to the rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration, the brakes on the back would need to be roughly as large as the front brakes.
I'll just ride a bicycle...
Old 04-15-2018, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Nickchamberlin
I sold the car and bought a Volkswagen bug, I don't deserve better ��
quoted for truthiness
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