How do you tell if you have 4 or 6 piston calipers?

Determining whether your vehicle has 4 or 6 piston calipers is a straightforward process that can be done with a visual inspection. The number of pistons in the brake caliper directly affects the braking power and performance of your vehicle, so it's important to know which type you have.

Identifying 4 Piston Calipers

Four-piston calipers are the more common type found on many passenger vehicles. They typically have a square or rectangular shape and are easily identifiable by the presence of four individual pistons, two on each side of the caliper. The pistons are usually visible through the wheel spokes or from the side of the vehicle.

Identifying 6 Piston Calipers

Six-piston calipers are less common and are typically found on high-performance or sports cars. These calipers have a larger, more bulbous appearance compared to 4-piston calipers. The six pistons are arranged in a staggered pattern, with three pistons on each side of the caliper.

Factors to Consider

In addition to the visual inspection, you can also consider the following factors to help determine the number of pistons in your brake calipers:

• Vehicle Type: High-performance and sports cars are more likely to have 6-piston calipers, while more common passenger vehicles typically have 4-piston calipers.


• Brake Pad Size: 6-piston calipers generally require larger brake pads to accommodate the increased number of pistons.


• Brake Rotor Size: Vehicles with 6-piston calipers often have larger brake rotors to match the increased braking power.

Knowing the number of pistons in your brake calipers can help you understand the braking capabilities of your vehicle and make informed decisions about maintenance, upgrades, or replacement parts.

How do I tell what brake caliper I have?

If you still can't see it you might need to remove the brake. Pad. The model number doesn't indicate the color. So when buying a replacement using this model number you will need to choose the right.

How to tell if you have 4-piston or 6 piston brakes?

If you count the arches, you can usually tell how many pistons are in the caliper. 4 and 6 piston calipers are a little more tricky but you can still usually see the outline of the 2 or 3 outboard pistons. Below, we discuss what brake caliper pistons are, and detail the differences between a variety of different types.

What do 4-piston brakes look like?

And a four piston caliper has two pistons. On each side of the caliper. Simply put the more service area you have on the pistons. The more potential you have for more braking.

How to tell how many pistons a caliper has?

You can tell the number of pistons in a brake caliper by visually inspecting it, which is the easiest method. For modern vehicles, you can often see the pistons directly through the spokes of the wheels, especially with open-wheel designs. If you can't see clearly, you can turn the wheel to get a better view or safely lift the vehicle and remove the wheel for a clear view. You can also check resources like your owner's manual, the vehicle's VIN, or the part number on the caliper itself.
 
Methods to determine the number of pistons
This video shows the difference between single and dual piston calipers: 59sMax Advanced BrakesYouTube · Oct 1, 2015

• Visual inspection:
  • Turn the steering wheel to give you a better angle to look inside the caliper. 
  • If possible, use a flashlight to see more clearly. 
  • For a full view, safely lift the vehicle and remove the wheel. 
  • Count the pistons: A single-piston caliper has one piston, while a dual-piston caliper has two (one on each side of the rotor). A 4-piston caliper will typically have two pistons on each side. 
• Check the vehicle's information:
  • Owner's manual: Some manuals will specify the brake system type. 
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Contact a dealership's parts department or use an online VIN lookup tool to find the exact specifications for your car. 
• Look for clues on the caliper: 
  • In some cases, you may see two visible pistons or two bleed screws on a dual-piston caliper. 
  • For performance or aftermarket calipers, you may find the piston size cast directly into the caliper body. For example, a number like "38" indicates a 38mm piston. 

This video explains how to measure caliper pistons: 26sGorsuch Performance SolutionsYouTube · Oct 4, 2022