Construction and Operation

CONSTRUCTION

Front Brake:

The front system consists of:
^ Four piston hydraulic caliper (2)
^ Ventilated brake disc (2)

Rear Brakes:

The rear system consists of:
^ Two piston hydraulic caliper (2)
^ Solid brake disc (2)

Fig. 1 Hydraulic System Operation:

OPERATION
When the brake pedal is depressed, the servo unit, which is attached to the master cylinder, transfers increased pedal pressure to the master cylinder primary piston (A), causing this piston to move forward past the by-pass port (B), and establish a rear brake line pressure in chamber (C). Pressure from primary piston return spring (D), combined with the rear brake line pressure in chamber (C), forces the secondary piston (E) forward past the by-pass port (F) to establish front brake line pressure in chamber (G).

Brake pressure entering the caliper (H) forces the pistons (J) (four on each front disc, two on each rear) out to act on friction pads (K), clamping the brake disc (L).

When the brake pedal is released, brake line pressure collapses, allowing the piston seals (N) to retract the pistons into the calipers sufficiently for the friction pads to be in a relaxed position away from the disc. This provides automatic adjustment for brake pad lining wear.
If the brake servo unit becomes inoperative, front and rear braking systems will still operate, but at a greatly reduced brake line pressure.

A divided brake fluid reservoir ensures that during fluid loss to front or rear brake systems, one pair of calipers will remain operative.

The fluid reservoir contains a float/switch assembly (P), when actuated, illuminates a warning light on the instrument panel, should the level of fluid in the reservoir fall to an unsatisfactory level.