Need to know about samurai calipers

[Josh-holden]

Hi, does anyone know if jimny callipers are the same as sj ones? How do i know what type are on mine?

[Anton]

Yes, they're the same.

Well, some of them are. The SJ got Aisin calipers and Lucas-Girling calipers, the Jimny got Aisin calipers and Lucas-Sumimoto calipers.

Aisin:



Lucas-Sumimoto:



There's no reason why you can't use a pair of Lucas-Girling calipers on a Jimny if you want to, they're near enough the same piston size, same position of bleed nipple, same disc size etc. I've had both types of caliper and rebuilt both to "as new".

However, the Lucas-Girling calipers are known to get sticky sliders and seize up if you don't regularly put some silicone grease on them (don't use regular grease or copper slip anywhere near the rubber bits of your brakes), so if you've got Aisin calipers, stick with them. If you've got Sumimoto's, I know nothing and I say nothing (although they look like Girling's to me???), except that if you do swap, don't mix and match. There are enough minute differences (51mm vs 48mm piston) between Aisins and Girlings (and presumably Sumimoto's) that you could end up being pulled to one side a little in an emergency, or worse, one wheel locks up when the other doesn't and you end up going sideways.

Brakes International is the best place for brake bits, imo.

[Josh-holden]

Thanks, that is a very help full write up. Iv got Lucas on the other side to the one that I need so would be ok to go with the sumimotos?

[Anton]

If it says "lucas" on it, then it's either a Lucas-Girling or a Lucas-Sumimoto.

So yes, you should be ok to go with a sumimoto.

But before you do anything, does it look anything like the one in the picture?

Also, what's wrong with the calliper you have? If you're having problems, now would be a good time to strip and recondition your brakes, both sides.

I've reconditioned 80% of my SJ so far (excluding bodywork) and the brakes were the part I really refused to skimp on - I got a proper rebuild kit and new pistons. I think I ended up spending £100 on bits (new brake disks, rebuild kits etc) and honestly it's the best money you can spend. You *really* need to know that when you press that pedal, you *will* stop.

[Josh-holden]

Yes it looks like the Lucas one above. I haven't really looked in to it but I can see that the seal has split open and it is heavily binding And someone at some point has painted it so I was just going to get a recon one.

[Anton]

Not a bad idea. They're not expensive from brakes international (link above).

[Josh-holden]

They seem a good price to be fair but there is a surcharge on them... So would have to send mine back. What is the difference between the girling and the sumimoto caliper?

[Rhinoman]

You should make sure that the calipers match properly, even a small difference in the diameter of the piston or the size of the hydraulic passages could make it unsafe.

[Josh-holden]

Also are the pad designs the same?

[twiss]

I've got the Lucas-Girling on the front and Lucas-Sumimoto on the back.... just due to availability rather than any performance reason!
Handy though as they take the same brake pads