how to match front and rear brake tightness?

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 11 Apr 2016, 11:43

If you replace front pads only, how does a garage make sure that the front brakes match in tightness with the rear 50% worn pads?
Furthermore, if front wears faster, doesn't it mean that when they wear, they will be looser and touch the disc/rotor later than the rear?

Post by **chrism** » 11 Apr 2016, 12:39

Unlike the old drum and shoe type of brakes, today's disk brake pads ride very, very close to the rotor. Once the new pads are installed and the pedal is depressed a couple times, all of the pads will seat against the rotors. So when you're driving and hit the brakes, all of them will apply friction against the rotor at the same time.

nsjames · Post by **nsjames** » 11 Apr 2016, 13:24

the piston does not retract.
the calipers slide on the brackets.

as the pads wear the piston remains extended and the caliper slides so the outer pad moves as well.
There's no adjustments to be made in a disc brake system, unless there are integrated parking brake things, which we don't have.

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 11 Apr 2016, 16:41

chrism wrote:Unlike the old drum and shoe type of brakes, today's disk brake pads ride very, very close to the rotor. Once the new pads are installed and the pedal is depressed a couple times, all of the pads will seat against the rotors. So when you're driving and hit the brakes, all of them will apply friction against the rotor at the same time.

They self adjust to distance away from the disc?

nsjames · Post by **nsjames** » 11 Apr 2016, 16:54

there's nothing in the caliper that retracts the piston.
the pads always ride on the discs.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2016, 18:36

qwertyjjj wrote:
chrism wrote:Unlike the old drum and shoe type of brakes, today's disk brake pads ride very, very close to the rotor. Once the new pads are installed and the pedal is depressed a couple times, all of the pads will seat against the rotors. So when you're driving and hit the brakes, all of them will apply friction against the rotor at the same time.
They self adjust to distance away from the disc?

Correct.

Drum brakes use springs to pull the shoes away from the drum, so that the clearance between shoe and drum has. To be adjusted periodically. Disc brakes self adjust.