Left Hand or Right hand brake calliper compresses?

Hi All,
Im trying to change the brake pad of my F1 but am struggling to compress the callipers without a tool. I have found a few cheap tool on ebay but they are sold as Left Handed and Right handed, does anyone know what type I need for the front of my 2004 Freelander?

I use a standard G cramp on the F1.

Always undo the bleed nipple and compress into a jar, don't force the dirty fluid back to the abs or through the system.
If they won't compress fairly easily, a bar and lever would do, then they are seized and need replacing or reservicing.
There is no handed tools for the F1, some vehicles need a wind back tool but the F1 does not.

Hi Andy, Thank you for your reply, Just to clarify, I have tried to compress the calliper with bar but it docent want to go back the last 5-7mm. Am I correct in understanding that I can use a wind back tool of either direction then?
Lsty how do I tell if the callipers are at the end of there life.

Thank you for your help

Angus-32 said:

Hi Andy, Thank you for your reply, Just to clarify, I have tried to compress the calliper with bar but it docent want to go back the last 5-7mm. Am I correct in understanding that I can use a wind back tool of either direction then?
Lsty how do I tell if the callipers are at the end of there life.

Thank you for your help

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Hi, if your having a lot of trouble pushing the pistons all the way in to accept new pads with the bleed nipple undone (as andyfreelandy says) then the calipers need an overhaul (or replacement, better & a lot less hassle) otherwise your probably end up with binding brakes if you do manage to get the new pads in.

Thank you for the advices, I will order some new callipers, Does anyone know a good brand? I normally go OEM but didn't know if other brands are any good?

Angus-32 said:

Thank you for the advices, I will order some new callipers, Does anyone know a good brand? I normally go OEM but didn't know if other brands are any good?

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I think you can get refurbished genuine ones or really any make will do. I don't remember fitting any particular make to my 04 FL1 & they've been on there for 30,000 miles or so, in fact I intend to replace the pads in the next week or so I'll have a good look then.
Just check the sliding pins in the caliper carrier are free & the rubber boots are ok, if not you can buy a kit to replace them at the same time as it's not worth skimping on brake related jobs & a brake fluid change would be a good idea as it's meant to be changed every two years regardless of mileage.

I genuinely pay about £60 a pair of FL1 calipers, off ebay. Never had any issues. Just make sure you get the set, for vented rotors.

Nodge68 said:

I genuinely pay about £60 a pair of FL1 calipers, off ebay. Never had any issues. Just make sure you get the set, for vented rotors.

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This might be helpful on the subject of replacement calipers for some owners. I've noticed that there are many (most) retailers offering one caliper that will fit freelanders from 98-2007. We all know that freelanders had solid discs 1997-2001 and vented discs thereafter. I wonder how many owners buy calipers for solid discs only to find that they are incorrect. The correct solid disc calipers SEG100230LHS and SEG100220RHS seem to be about twice as expensive as these apparently "universal" calipers! Surely retailers have a responsibility to list items correctly?

Thanks to every one for all the advice, just one quick question would this calliper be suitable for the vented disks?
https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/seg100260-g-oem-caliper-freelander-rh-front-from-1a00001.html

Angus-32 said:

Thanks to every one for all the advice, just one quick question would this calliper be suitable for the vented disks?
https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/seg100260-g-oem-caliper-freelander-rh-front-from-1a00001.html

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Yes, but you can buy a PAIR of front calipers for £65 or less so I wouldn't pay that much for one.

Angus-32 said:

Thanks to every one for all the advice, just one quick question would this calliper be suitable for the vented disks?

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You can get a pair of OE quality calipers for that.
I use Advanced Factors for all my LR parts needs. They do the correct calipers for £38.99 each.
https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/f...--calipers-from-vin-1a000001-2001-12867-c.asp