| $16.50 Girlock alloy caliper update. | |
February 2006
by Peter Scott
I was spending some quality time at the self serve auto wreckers (www.upullit.com.au). It was the same day I spied that Coupe with no tags. I had in my mind about changing my brakes for some newer calipers and I had read that the newer alloy XF Falcon Girlock calipers were a direct bolt on replacement for my 1976 cast iron PBR calipers. Since there were so many cars in the FORD shopping row it didn't take long to grab an alloy caliper and convince myself that it would bolt on to my 1976 model Ford.
Quick wire brush to spruce the caliper up.
On the big board of prices up at the front office of the wrecking yard, single piston calipers were listed at $16.50 each - so $33 would get me a pair. In the new arrivals section I spotted an 88 model Fairlane in shiny, but damaged condition. The alloy Girlock brakes were sporting brand new pads so it was then I decided to give it a whirl and whip them off. Old pads or new pads the price is the same.
My 1976 PBR cast iron calipers on left, 1988 Girlock alloy calipers on right. The Girlock caliper has a cast iron pad holder with an alloy sliding caliper. The alloy calipers are significiantly lighter than the older cast iron calipers. Reducing unsprung mass is always a good thing.
The calipers bolt on. The brake hose can't be changed over as the support on the body is slightly different. I unbolted the hose from my old caliper and bolted it to the same spot on the alloy caliper.
The slider mechanism on the alloy caliper (on the left) is of a more modern design over the old cast iron caliper. I like this style of slider because pad changes are faster. Removing one bolt on the slider allows the alloy caliper to be rotated up free of the cast iron pad holder allowing easy access for pad changes. It's not such a big deal, but for circuit work it's nice to pop in some Feredo DS2500 or DS3000 custom race pads before going out for a blast.
I prefer the look of the Girlock alloy calipers - they look a bit more modern and appear to be larger. They ain't no 6 pot Brembos but still...
I got myself some blue thread locker and lock wire for the install. I gravity bled the brakes using a clear plastic hose and empty plastic bottle with Castrol Response Super Dot4 while bolting the calipers up. I had previously bled the old cast iron calipers so it didn't take long.
I prefer these calipers because they are 10 years newer, look a bit better, are a bit easier to change the pads, slide with less friction, and reduce unsprung weight. I was unable to measure any significant performance difference. I am very happy with the feel and response of the brakes.
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