# Why is my lower caliper guide pin different? How differently does it work from the top one? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895 "2017-10-24T23:18:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheMidnightNarwhal](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/themidnightnarwhal/32/5375_2.png) [@TheMidnightNarwhal](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheMidnightNarwhal)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895/1 "2017-10-24T23:18:47Z")
Checking the brakes I noticed my top guide pin was all smooth while the lower one had a groove on the end with a rubber jacket around it. Something similar to linked pin. I’m just curious why so and how does it affect all. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/7/7456f12ad422c0d72b6c2911cf5866383677ff7b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895/2 "2017-10-25T01:20:49Z")
It looks like it is supposed to be that way, see below. What is that band for? Haven’t a clue, but I’d guess the little black band around the lower one is there to hold it in place better. > **[Amazon.com: ACDelco 179-1370 GM Original Equipment Front Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin Kit with Guide Pins: Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-179-1370-Original-Equipment-Caliper/dp/B000C9J1C2)** > > The ACDelco GM Original Equipment Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin Kit contains GM-recommended replacements for your vehicle's original components. This kit includes the necessary bolts, fasteners, bushin ... ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895/3 "2017-10-25T04:28:00Z")
At my age I’ve given up trying to understand why things are done a particular way and just do it according to the way it was or what the book says. My GM ones are the same, but I put them back the way they were anyway. I’m sure there are several different designs depending on the application. There is a rubber piece in the caliper on both of mine and sometimes the rubber comes off with the pin and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ll bet both of yours have the rubber, but one is still in the caliper and the other is fitted on the pin. Nothing to worry about as long as you don’t mix them up. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895/4 "2017-10-25T13:50:11Z")
Most caliper designs I’ve run across now use one pin as a pivot for easier pad servicing. Loosen lower, remove upper and pivot caliper out of the way to access the pads. The lower one is probably the pivot bolt. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-my-lower-caliper-guide-pin-different-how-differently-does-it-work-from-the-top-one/108895/5 "2017-10-26T02:18:03Z")
Just theorizing, but I feel the rubber sleeve is probably for use as a vibration dampener to aid in noise reduction.