How do disc brakes work

Contact Us Language Japanese. Corporate Information Top. Investor Relations Top. Careers Top. Careers Top Internships. Menu Close. Home Close. Send ». View my tire cart. Menu Call Us Find Us. News Jobs Contact Us. Knowledge Database - Brakes. Brakes Question: How do rear disc brakes work? Contact Us. Stay Connected Contact Us Email: [email protected]. The brake pads The caliper , which contains a piston The rotor , which is mounted to the hub. Cite This! Print Citation. Try Our Crossword Puzzle!

What Is the Missing Number? Try Our Sudoku Puzzles! Rotors are most commonly made of cast iron or steel, however some very high-end cars use a carbon ceramic rotor. Rotors can be slotted or drilled for better heat dissipation.

Brake pads : Component that pushes into the rotor, creating the friction that slows and stops a car. They feature a metal portion called a shoe and a lining that is attached to the shoe.

The lining is what actually comes in contact with the rotor and wears away with use. Linings are made of different materials and fall into three categories: organic, semi-metallic and ceramic.

The lining material chosen will impact the length of brake life, the amount of noise heard when the brakes are applied, and how quickly the brakes bring a car to a halt.

Piston : Cylinder connected to the brake system hydraulics. The piston is what moves the brake pads into the rotor when the driver presses the brake pedal. Some brake systems have a single piston that moves both pads, while others have two pistons that push the brake pads from each side of the rotor. Others still have four, six, or even eight pistons for higher braking power, at the expense of added cost and complexity. Caliper : Housing that fits over the rotor and holds the brake pads and pistons, as well as contains ducting for brake fluid.

There are two types of brake calipers: floating or sliding and fixed. When the driver presses the brakes, the pistons press the brake pads on one side into the rotor, which causes the caliper to slide over so that the pads on the non-piston side of the caliper also contact the rotor.

Fixed calipers are bolted in place, and instead have pistons on both sides of the rotor that move when the driver applies the brakes. Fixed calipers apply brake pressure more evenly and clamp more firmly on the rotor, however floating calipers are found on most cars and are perfectly adequate for everyday driving.

Sensors : Some vehicles have brakes that contain sensors embedded in the brake pads which work to tell the driver when the pads are worn out.