| The basic way a disc brake system works is to | | | | Warping discs reduced their ability to stop the car. So |
| transfer the kinetic energy of the rotating wheels | | | | other designs were developed. One approach was to |
| into heat with friction which will stop your vehicle. | | | | hollow out with either fins or vanes joining the disc's |
| The major components of the disc brake system | | | | two contact surfaces. This was called a "ventilated" |
| are: | | | | disc design. |
| First a hydraulic system to transfer fluid from the | | | | The caliper has one or more pistons who press the |
| movement of the brake pedal into movement of the | | | | pads against the disc. Various designs have been |
| brake pads. | | | | used, but today the most common is called a |
| A rotor or disc, made out typically of a material like | | | | single-piston floating-caliper which is both |
| iron, that spins with your wheels. | | | | self-centering and self-adjusting. This caliper is able to |
| A caliper with one or more pistons that move the | | | | slide from side so it will move to the center each |
| brake pads onto the disc. | | | | time the brakes are applied. Some newer cars have |
| And of course the brake pads. | | | | two or more pistons, and some exotic cars are |
| Let's examine the three major components, the disc, | | | | offered with four pistons. Additional pistons increase |
| the caliper and the pads. The disc must withstand a | | | | the breaking ability of the car. |
| great deal of heat as it works to slow down the car. | | | | The last major component is the brake pad. Pads are |
| Early discs were made of solid cast iron. This worked | | | | designed for high friction, and early brake pads |
| fine for most cars, but those that went really fast or | | | | contained some amount of asbestos. This presents a |
| weighed a great deal found that the solid cast iron | | | | danger if you find yourself working on an older car, |
| disc could overheat and warp. | | | | usually with drum brakes. |