Are right/left rear brake calipers interchangeable?

beewstew · Post by **beewstew** » 26 Mar 2025, 20:27

Doing brakes on a 2004 xc70. Bought replacement rear calipers (left and right) from local reputable auto parts store. Boxes had different part numbers, but the reman calipers in the box both had the embossed "LH" on the caliper.

Aside from the location of the bleed screw, is this a big deal? Initially I was annoyed, but now I'm wondering if waiting for the exchange is worth the time and hassle. The bolt spacing and function seems basically the same.

Post by **DavidE7** » 26 Mar 2025, 20:54

If I remember correctly, the flex hose thread location is also wrong in addition to the bleed nipple and your brake hose won't be long enough.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Mar 2025, 08:42

No. Different part numbers and as mentioned above, the bleed screw would be at the bottom making bleeding hard, and the flexi-pipe won't likely reach.

See drawing and part description below:

https://www.volvocarstorontoparts.ca/a/ ... 23673.html

Neil.

beewstew · Post by **beewstew** » 27 Mar 2025, 10:49

So far the best answer I've found is that: while a LH rear caliper will bolt up fine and the supply line will reach to the same place on the rear RH side, a bleed nipple on the bottom of the caliper will make it hard to bleed out air bubbles in the caliper vs having the nipple on top which the air bubbles can float up to..

Post by **jonesg** » 27 Mar 2025, 16:13

impossible to bleed, i suppose you could hold it upside down.