Brake Caliper: Description and Operation

Fig. 1 Disassembled View Of Kelsey-Hayes Disc Brake:

Fig. 2 Anti-rattle Spring Location:

Fig. 2 Piston Seal Function:

The caliper assembly consists of a rotor, caliper, pad, and adapter. The single piston caliper assembly floats through a rubber bushing on a single pin, threaded into the adapter. The bushing is inserted into the inboard portion of the caliper. Two machined abutments on the adapter, position and align the caliper fore and aft. The guide pin and bushing controls the movement of the caliper and the piston seal to assist in maintaining proper pad clearance.

This assembly has three anti-rattle clips. One is on top of the inboard pad, one clip is on the bottom of the outboard pad, and one clip is on top of the caliper.

All of the braking force is taken directly by the adapter. The caliper is a one piece casting with the inboard side containing a single piston cylinder bore.

A square cut rubber piston seal is located in a machined groove in the caliper bore and provides a seal between piston and caliper bore.

A molded rubber dust boot installed in a groove in the cylinder bore and piston keeps contamination from the caliper bore and piston. The boot mounts in the caliper bore and in a groove in the piston.