Why can't rear wheels be modified with calipers?
3 Answers
If front wheel calipers are used to modify the rear wheels, it may cause a tailspin condition. Below is a related introduction about tires: Tire Introduction: Tires are the only components of a car that come into contact with the ground. Some car owners only replace the tires on the drive wheels when changing tires. For example, some front-wheel-drive car owners only replace the two front tires, while some rear-wheel-drive car owners only replace the two rear tires. In fact, this practice is acceptable. Tire Aging: Tires are made of rubber and will age over time. It is recommended that car owners replace their tires every four years, even if the mileage is low within those four years. Because tires can also age when left unused for long periods, it is important to check the production date when purchasing tires.
I did extensive research when modifying my brakes. The rear calipers aren't impossible to modify, but require special caution. Many modern vehicle models integrate electronic parking brake functions into the rear wheels - directly replacing them with regular calipers would disable this crucial feature. Even if you install additional electronic parking brake components, the entire system is extremely complex. Just bleeding the brakes could take half a day, not to mention the reprogramming required for ABS system compatibility - tasks beyond most regular modification shops. The most critical issue is brake force distribution. Manufacturers carefully calibrate the front-rear braking ratio for standard models. Upgrading rear calipers can easily cause braking-induced oversteer. Unless you're adjusting brake balance for professional racing, it's really not worth modifying rear brakes for daily driving.
Recently, while helping a friend with modifications, I encountered a similar situation and found that the main challenge in rear caliper upgrades lies in compatibility. The rear braking system is usually connected to the vehicle stability control module, and modifications can affect the intervention timing of ABS and ESP. Moreover, on family cars, the front wheels handle 70% of the braking force, so upgrading the rear calipers won't make a noticeable difference. The modification costs are also particularly high—just installing a handbrake motor alone costs around 2,000 RMB, and the process is labor-intensive with a high risk of oil leaks. I've observed track enthusiasts' cars, and they always adjust the brake proportioning valve when upgrading rear calipers. For regular car owners, such modifications may actually increase the risk of losing control.
