[wr moore]

Looking at the brightly colored caliphers on several cars in the parking lot, I noticed some had their caliphers on the leading edge (front) of the rotor, others trailing edge (back) and some cars had the front and rear in different positions.

Can some kindly technically oriented soul explain what theoretical benefit the different positions may have? If any. I'd kinda expect the trailer calipher to have slightly better cooling, but that might not be true. Or might the difference just be due to suspension layout?

 

[Sabrewings]

It's suspension layout. The calipers are on the opposite side of the steering rack tie rod ends. Subaru's AWD design always lends the steering rack to be on the front side of the axles, so the front calipers are always on the rear side of the knuckle.

In the rear, it really just depends on other components connections to the knuckle. They can go anywhere as long as there is room for the bracket to mount.

 

[wr moore]

Ah so, thanks. Guess it comes from decades of driving 4WD/AWD.