'Early' 85 van - mismatched front calipers

[handsmann]

I'll apologise in advance if you have seen my question on Facebook or if this is covered in the Wiki or Archive (I have looked, I promise).

Preparing to fit new bearings, discs and pads on an 'early' 1985 DG-engined van, I find mismatched brake calipers: Girling on the offside and ATE on the nearside. There has been no obvious difference in braking effort in the almost two years that we have owned the van so perhaps this is not as much of an issue as I imagine.

Assuming that's true, obviously I will check whether the new pads and fitting kit that I have will work on both sides. Someone put the idea to me that the different types of calipers may be there to allow for different stub axles (and I assume discs) on both sides. I will of course measure disc diameter and thickness but until I dismantle the whole lot, I can't check the stub axles.

Can anyone advise me on my best way forward please?

Many thanks,
Chris

[bigherb]

If they are the twin piston calipers then Girling and ATE are interchangeable but they really should be the same both sides, they use the same pads but the pads fitting kit is different.
Having an early twin piston and a later single piston caliper on the same axle is not good.

[handsmann]

Having an early twin piston and a later single piston caliper on the same axle is not good.

Thanks bigherb. Fortunately we are looking at fixed, twin-piston calipers on both sides. My instinct was saying that matching calipers are always better, but I'm glad to have that confirmed.

Pre-MOT I think I'll take the hit on a second fitting kit (the Girling one) and once I have some money I'll strip the rear brakes, drain the whole system and fit new calipers and hoses.

Many thanks,
Chris

(I just re-read the "once I have some money" and couldn't resist a wry smile)