Questions and Answers

Parking Brakes Explained

Q. On a vehicle with disc brakes front and back how does the parking brake system work?

Thanks

A. There are two ways that the parking brake for rear disc brakes are done.

The most common is to have the parking brake cables go to the rear calipers and connect to a lever in the caliper that moves the pistons out. When the pistons move out, they push the brake pads against the rotor thus applying the braking force. Basically applying the rear brakes mechanically.

The other way is the inside of the rear disc brake rotor is like a brake drum. There are small brake shoes inside, very much like regular rear brake shoes. When the parking brake is applied, the shoes expand and grab the inside of the rotor, just like regular drum brakes. Heavy springs pull the shoes back when the brake is released.

Some foriegn cars connect the parking brake to the front calipers with the lever explained above so the parking brake locks the front wheels, not the back.

Additional Information provided courtesy of AllDATA