So Pelican Parts sent me an ATE caliper when I requested Bendix. Is it OK if I install the ATE on the left rear or should I wait for the Bendix. Does it really matter if I use different calipers on the back?

Thx.

First off its hard to find brake hardware for the Bendix calipers and it seems that ATE hardware is more abundant.
I have Bendix calipers on my 85 300TD and it seems to me that the Bendix calipers are being phased out. As long as you have the same on the front or the same on the rear all is OK. You just don't want A Bendix on the left or right and an ATE on the opposite side.
But front to rear different calipers is OK.

you never want to use brakes that are not matched same on each axle.
BOTH rears need to be the same, or Both Fronts, it's not important that front and rear match.
so to answer your question, NO do not just put the one ate on with the existing bendix in place.
you need to either rebuild your bendix and put it back, or order another ate so you have a matched pair on your rear axle...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Its ok to use calipers from different manufacturers for the rear axles. Thats according to FSM 42.4-120/3

__________________
'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

I have done it in a pinch with no problems noted. They have the same piston diameter and use the same pads.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm unable to locate "FSM 42.4-120/3". The secondary chapters are either four or three digits, no single digit or 123.

Of course, I may be missing something.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

Myy mistake. Its for a w123.

__________________
'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

I buy Cardone locally so they are easy to return. Calipers are apparently easy to get wrong. I have had the wrong part in the correct box, hanging caliper fresh out of the box etc. They function well once a good set is installed.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

OK - thanks for the input. Decided to wait for the Bendix; should be here today. Pelican has been quite nice about it.

Whether or not calipers "match" is a function of piston diameter, not manufacturer, per se.

Tom - seems like I remember an earlier post which said one, Bendix or Ate, accepted a slightly thicker pad which would not fit in the other. Do not remember anything about piston diameters.

I totally agree. is there any way to know for sure what the piston diameter is? I mean I doubt anyone is pulling the piston and measuring it... keeping the brands the same on each "axle" is the best we can do... no?

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Calipers that I've compared have been the same size and shape if they were the same brand intended for the same axle.

Rears are smaller than fronts.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I believe its the Bendix which will take a thicker pad but is identical in every other dimension to the ATE, so the thinner pad for the ATE will fit either caliper but the thicker Bendix pad won't fit the ATE.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks Tom.

I have always pronounced it A Tee Eee. However Pelican pronounced it Ah-tay for the ATE caliper. Any idea which is right?