brake question
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From: Texas City
Originally posted by rajun asian
Can someone please tell me what a "floating caliper" is. Also what are the advantages or disadvantages of "floating vs. "non-floating". Thans in advance.
Can someone please tell me what a "floating caliper" is. Also what are the advantages or disadvantages of "floating vs. "non-floating". Thans in advance.
I'm no expert but my understanding is that all disk brakes have floating calipers. The caliper is mounted on a set of pins that it can move back and forth on. As the brake pads wear, the caliper automatically readjusts it's position on these pins relative the the brake disk so that everything stays in position for the next brake application. There is no adjustment on disk brakes like there are on drum brakes.
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
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From: Delaware, OH
There are two basic caliper designs.
The "floating caliper" is cheaper to manufacture. It only has a hydraulic piston on one side, and the floating mechanism ensures that when the one piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, the inboard pad is pulled against the rotor. That is, the piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, and the fluid in the cylinder pushes the caliper housing away from the rotor (equal and opposite reactive force, etc.) to the outside of the car. As the caliper housing is forced towards the outside of the car, it pulls the inner half of the caliper towards the rotor, applying pressure to the inboard pad. The S2000 has this kind of caliper, although the brakes are outstanding.
The other design uses pistons on both sides of the rotor. There is no need for the caliper to "float" because each pad is pushed against the rotor by its own piston(s). This design can be stronger, often has multiple pistons on each side, and is usually used in high-end performance cars.
The "floating caliper" is cheaper to manufacture. It only has a hydraulic piston on one side, and the floating mechanism ensures that when the one piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, the inboard pad is pulled against the rotor. That is, the piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, and the fluid in the cylinder pushes the caliper housing away from the rotor (equal and opposite reactive force, etc.) to the outside of the car. As the caliper housing is forced towards the outside of the car, it pulls the inner half of the caliper towards the rotor, applying pressure to the inboard pad. The S2000 has this kind of caliper, although the brakes are outstanding.
The other design uses pistons on both sides of the rotor. There is no need for the caliper to "float" because each pad is pushed against the rotor by its own piston(s). This design can be stronger, often has multiple pistons on each side, and is usually used in high-end performance cars.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Texas City
[QUOTE]Originally posted by RedY2KS2k
There are two basic caliper designs.
The "floating caliper" is cheaper to manufacture. It only has a hydraulic piston on one side, and the floating mechanism ensures that when the one piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, the inboard pad is pulled against the rotor. That is, the piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, and the fluid in the cylinder pushes the caliper housing away from the rotor (equal and opposite reactive force, etc.) to the outside of the car. As the caliper housing is forced towards the outside of the car, it pulls the inner half of the caliper towards the rotor, applying pressure to the inboard pad. The S2000 has this kind of caliper, although the brakes are outstanding.
There are two basic caliper designs.
The "floating caliper" is cheaper to manufacture. It only has a hydraulic piston on one side, and the floating mechanism ensures that when the one piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, the inboard pad is pulled against the rotor. That is, the piston pushes the outboard pad against the rotor, and the fluid in the cylinder pushes the caliper housing away from the rotor (equal and opposite reactive force, etc.) to the outside of the car. As the caliper housing is forced towards the outside of the car, it pulls the inner half of the caliper towards the rotor, applying pressure to the inboard pad. The S2000 has this kind of caliper, although the brakes are outstanding.
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