Disc brakes — general information (Mitsubishi Galant 6)

The principle of operation of disc brake mechanisms is extremely simple: when the foot brake pedal is depressed, the brake disc, rigidly connected to the wheel assembly and made of cast iron, is tightly clamped between two pads equipped with friction linings. Modern brake discs have a ventilated design, which significantly increases the efficiency of heat removal from the assembly and prevents dangerous overheating of the components. The centrifugal force that occurs during wheel rotation reliably protects the working surfaces of the disc from the formation of any kind of mud deposits on them, which guarantees uniform pressure of the pads, ensuring smooth braking of the vehicle.

Adjustment of disc brake mechanisms is performed automatically and is built into the design of the assembly. There are three different types of disc brake mechanisms:

• With fixed support;
• With sliding caliper;
• With floating bracket.

Fixed calipers have a twin-cylinder design, in which two separate pistons press the friction pads against both sides of the brake disc. The caliper body itself is rigidly mounted and completely immobile.

Mechanisms with a sliding caliper and a floating bracket are practically the same in their operating principle - in both designs, the inner shoe is pressed against the brake disc by hydraulic force, while the caliper body/floating bracket itself, in this case not rigidly fixed, slightly shifts in the opposite direction, pressing the second shoe against the outer side of the disc with its opposite end. Various methods of fastening such calipers can be used - some are equipped with an axle located at the top or bottom of the assembly, while others use mounting bolts as sliding guides.

The original article was published on (www.MitsubishiMan.ru)