How calipers work?
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Maryland/D.C. Area
How calipers work?
I tried a search, but couldn't find all the info I'm looking for. Me and a friend of mine were discussing our '80's F-150 front brake jobs we have done, and we can't figure out how the front brake system works. It seems to us that the caliper itself is secured tightly. So when the piston pushes in on the inner pad, how does the outer pad get involved? Does the whole caliper slide, drawing the outer pad against the rotor? In any case, when you back off the pedal, does the piston retract? If it does, the pads don't retract, or do they? If the pads don't retract like brake shoes do, are they in constant contact with the rotor?
I changed some pads on a Toyota a while back, and there was a spring system that connected the pads that seemed to draw both together when the piston was applied-a lot like a bicycle brake. There doesn't seem to be a similar system on our Fords, so we're just wondering.
I changed some pads on a Toyota a while back, and there was a spring system that connected the pads that seemed to draw both together when the piston was applied-a lot like a bicycle brake. There doesn't seem to be a similar system on our Fords, so we're just wondering.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
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From: SD
Originally Posted by hflu
Does the whole caliper slide, drawing the outer pad against the rotor? In any case, when you back off the pedal, does the piston retract? If it does, the pads don't retract, or do they? If the pads don't retract like brake shoes do, are they in constant contact with the rotor?
Marty
