Focus - How brake pads work

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Fri 24 Aug 2012 16:02
Focus - How brake pads work - Ben 10

I've changed the pads on my cars numerous times over the years. One pad is connected to a piston which moves with hydraulic pressure via the brake pedal and moves against the disc thus slowing the car down.

But how does the other pad do the same thing, when it is not connected to a piston and just seems to be hanging next to the disc. How does it move, if at all, or is the braking all done on the one pad?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 24 Aug 2012 16:19
Focus - How brake pads work - BenG

The braking force is exerted through one pad, and the central part of the caliper, to which the pads and piston are attached, is free to slide laterally in the caliper carrier, allowing the second brake pad to contact the disc and extert braking effort on the opposite side of the disc.

There are usually two sliding pins attached to the central part of the caliper which slie in holes in the caliper carrier, which allows the central part of the caliper to move laterally.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 24 Aug 2012 17:27
Focus - How brake pads work - Ben 10

;-))

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 24 Aug 2012 18:43
Focus - How brake pads work - bathtub tom

If you've changed the pads numerous times then you would've had to slide the caliper back to insert the thicker, new pads.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide