Front Disc Brakes

DESCRIPTION - DISC BRAKES (FRONT)
Each front disc brake consists of the following components:
- Brake Rotor
- Brake Caliper
- Brake Caliper Adapter
- Shoes (Pads)

There are two non-interchangeable front disc brake systems depending on whether the vehicle is equipped with rear drum or rear disc brakes. Vehicles with the front disc/rear drum brake combination utilize a system manufactured by TRW. Vehicles with front disc/rear disc brakes utilize a system manufactured by Continental Teves.

CAUTION: Components used on the disc/drum combination brakes are not interchangeable with the disc/disc combination brakes. The two different systems must not be mixed. Improper performance, noise and increased stopping distance can occur.








The TRW front brake caliper is a one piece casting containing a single 64 mm diameter piston bore with a phenolic piston. The caliper mounts to a caliper adapter using two guide pin bolts that thread into guide pins slid into the caliper adapter. The pins are lubricated and have boots that seal them in place in the adapter.

The Continental Teves front brake caliper is a one piece casting containing a single piston 66 mm diameter bore with a phenolic piston. The caliper mounts to a caliper adapter using two guide pin bolts that thread into the caliper adapter and slide on bushings mounted in the caliper.





CAUTION: TRW and Continental Teves calipers are not interchangeable. Each caliper is specifically designed for the unique brake system. If calipers are interchanged, improper performance, noise and increased stopping distance can occur. The two different brake calipers use different devices to control rattling. While the TRW brakes use spring clips that mount at the ends of the shoes in the adapters, Continental Teves brakes use a clip on the rear of the inboard pad to hold it to the piston and a larger clip on the outside of the caliper, holding it to the adapter.





All brake caliper adapters mount to the steering knuckle in the same way using two mounting bolts. The brake rotors are also different depending on brake system. The TRW (disc/drum) front brakes utilize an inverted-hat style rotor. This rotor is externally vented meaning the inner most diameter of the braking disc vents to the outboard side (or face) of the rotor. The Continental Teves (disc/disc) front brakes utilize the familiar internally-vented hat style rotor. Internally-vented refers to the fact that the inner most diameter of the braking disc vents to the inboard side of the rotor.

CAUTION: TRW and Continental Teves brake rotors are not interchangeable. If brake rotors are interchanged, noise and wear problems can result.