loaded vs. semi-loaded, etc.

[bryancostanich]

i'm going to do a rear disc-brake swap. i was looking at the '78 monte carlo calipers. couple questions:

1) what's the difference between loaded, semi-loaded, and unloaded? i know i'm supposed to use the loaded, but i'd like to know the difference.
2) where are people finding them for $12? the cheapest i've found is about $30, and i'm not even sure if they're loaded. i've tried partsamerica (kraegen, et.al.), o'reilly (schucks, et.al.), autozone, and my favorite, auto supply co (a big wholesaler here in LA).

 

[fieldsken1]

loaded means they have the pads and they are about 35 dollars i just brought one the other day

 

[bryancostanich]

what's "semi-loaded" then?

and where'd you pick yours up?

 

[fieldsken1]

i never heard of semiloaded i got mine at napa

 

[dgangle]

Loaded are calipers, pins and pads. I guess semi-loaded would incl the calipers and pins but no pads. Compare the costs to make your own best judgement. The stores you mention should have about as low as you are going to find locally. Remeber too that you are not going to have a core to turn in so add that in to get the total cost. I recently bought one at Advance Auto and it was cadmium plated so it looked pretty cool.

I did a quick check online at O'Reilly's.com for a loaded front caliper for an '85 Monte Carlo and the cheapest I could find was $56 + 15 core. Rockauto.com was $38.79 + 10 core.

 

[Shawn Russell]

Loaded is ALL HARDWARE, ready to bolt on... Unloaded, is just the bare caliper. You need to supply ALL the hardware and the pads.

Shawn

 

[fieldsken1]

dont forget rear caliper