Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Disc Brakes System Description (Rear)

Rear Brake Rotor
The rear brake rotor is a composite cast iron ventilated rotor. The rear brake rotor has a stamped sheet metal flange which is insert cast. The internal fins or vanes between the friction surfaces radiate from the center of the rotor to the outer edge of the rotor. This design enables the rotor to act as its own cooling fan.

Rear Brake Caliper





The rear brake caliper has a single piston (1) in an aluminum housing (2). The housing is suspended in an anchor bracket (3) on two guide pins (4). The caliper mounts to the steering knuckle with two mounting bolts. Applying the brake pedal creates hydraulic pressure. This pressure exerts equally against the bottom of the piston and against the bottom of the cylinder bore. The pressure applied to the piston transmits to the brake pads (5). The brake pads clamp down on the rotor, creating friction in order to stop the car.
Application of the parking brake causes the following components to move outward:
^ The pushrod (23)
^ The actuating collar (10)
^ The clamp rod (19)
The outward motion of the above components causes the caliper to move inward. Inward motion of the caliper forces the brake pads against the rotor in order to hold the vehicle in place. The parking brake mechanism is completely independent of the hydraulic braking system.