Front Brake System

The full floating caliper has a single piston and is mounted to the front brake caliper bracket which in turn is mounted to the steering knuckle with guide pins and attaching bolts. When the brakes are applied fluid pressure behind the piston increases. Pressure is exerted equally against all surfaces of the cavity between the piston and the caliper housing bore. The pressure applied to the piston is transmitted to the inner pad forcing the lining against the inner rotor surface. The pressure applied to the caliper housing bore forces the caliper to slide on the caliper guide pins toward the center of the vehicle. This movement causes the outer section of the caliper to apply pressure against the back of the outer pad forcing the lining against the outer rotor surface. As line pressure builds the inner and outer pads are pressed against the rotor surfaces with increased force bringing the vehicle to a stop. When the brake pedal is released line pressure decreases and the piston seal retracts slightly in its groove causing the piston to retract slightly. This combined with the movement of the rotor causes the inner and outer pads to move away from the rotor eliminating any drag.

Outward movement of the piston and inward movement of the caliper automatically compensate for lining wear. If upon inspection the pad linings are not of roughly the same thickness a sticking caliper that is not compensating for pad wear is indicated. As the linings wear the increased area behind the piston is filled with brake fluid from the brake master cylinder reservoir which will result in a significant drop in the brake master cylinder reservoir fluid level. This condition is normal.