BC Transit – Air Brake Course

Disc Brakes
Callipers
Rotor
…operate differently from drum brakes.
Rather than using shoes and linings that
move outward toward the inner drum
surface, disc brakes use a calliper or “C”
clamp principal.
In the representation pictured here, the
callipers are at the top of the rotor. When
the operator applies the brake, a power
screw device forces the callipers together,
sandwiching the rotor between them. The
rotor is connected to the wheel and tires,
and so braking occurs.
The adjustment of this type of brake is
quite different from that used for drum
brakes. Check manufacturer’s
instructions if adjusting disc brakes.
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