Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-05-2012, 05:37 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Joe1234's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 79
Thanks: 2
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Low-friction brake calipers

Is there such a thing as brake calipers that pull away instead of DRAG on the rotor? it seems like a wheel that spins more freely (with less friction) will require less work to rotate and thus, save gas.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-05-2012, 06:25 PM   #2 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,268

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 273
Thanked 3,570 Times in 2,834 Posts
Yes.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2012, 08:20 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 239
Thanks: 0
Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts
that is how most calipers are suppose to work but you probably get closer to it working well in only 2, 4 etc piston calipers were there is opposing pistons on both sides as floating calipers don't always stay floating properly.

The piston seal is square and is suppose to retract back when brake is not applied .
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-06-2012, 03:34 AM   #4 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,268

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 273
Thanked 3,570 Times in 2,834 Posts
There are 3 things I know of used to ensure the brakes drag.
1 hardware, spring holders, nuts and bolts were added to calipers and pad backing to retract them. But the set up needed to be adjusted constantly.
2 On newer vehicles some engine vacuum is applied to the braking system some how to help remove brake drag from the rotor at highway speeds.
3 put properly functioning drum brakes all around.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to oil pan 4 For This Useful Post:
Logic (11-03-2024)
Old 08-06-2012, 10:03 AM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 239
Thanks: 0
Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
There are 3 things I know of used to ensure the brakes drag.
1 hardware, spring holders, nuts and bolts were added to calipers and pad backing to retract them. But the set up needed to be adjusted constantly.
2 On newer vehicles some engine vacuum is applied to the braking system some how to help remove brake drag from the rotor at highway speeds.
3 put properly functioning drum brakes all around.
Yes, many vehicles add V or Z springs between the pads to keep them off rotor .Thes springs are not strong so there only for the pad, not the pistons as they should do it by themselves .
And , right all the hardware needs to be keep lubed. the inner pads on many back brake housings get rust, crude that stops them from moving correctly .
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2012, 12:54 AM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
JellyBeanDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 92
Thanks: 2
Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts
Remember that you also have to make up for that pullback with increased initial pedal throw. GM had some cars with these calipers with increased pullback but I think the master cylinders were matching too.

FWIW, my front calipers went from medium dragging to near zero dragging by eliminating the anti-squeal goo I always used to use (the orange/red stuff by CRC), and eliminating the shims.
__________________
1992 Geo Metro, 1.0L 5spd, 435,000 miles on the original engine and trans!
- knuckles/hubs/brakes/13" wheels from a 2000 Metro
- running 175 70R13
- averaging 51.7 MPG, 56.9MPG best tank.
- self built MPGuino
- http://www.dschmidt.com/MPGuinoJBD.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2012, 01:37 AM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Joe1234's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 79
Thanks: 2
Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts
how did you measure how much they were dragging before and after? Just jack the wheel up and spin it??
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2012, 01:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
JellyBeanDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 92
Thanks: 2
Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe1234 View Post
how did you measure how much they were dragging before and after? Just jack the wheel up and spin it??
Yes, and no.

It started with me noticing the left rotor was hotter than the right. This lead to me rebuilding both calipers. Rotors were now even in temp but still a little warm and when jacked up, they didn't rotate freely.

Then I had the pleasure of working on my buddy's Metro and his were VERY free - and had no shims installed. The light bulb turned on.

All my life I've used the CRC brake squeal goop - it's dries rubbery. Little did I know that it was keeping the pads pre-loaded against the rotor.

Figure if the pistons only retract so far by design, you don't want anything compressible between the caliper and the pads if you want the pads to 'float' more.

As an added bonus, my brake pedal is firmer (maybe it's my imagination).
__________________
1992 Geo Metro, 1.0L 5spd, 435,000 miles on the original engine and trans!
- knuckles/hubs/brakes/13" wheels from a 2000 Metro
- running 175 70R13
- averaging 51.7 MPG, 56.9MPG best tank.
- self built MPGuino
- http://www.dschmidt.com/MPGuinoJBD.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2012, 01:58 AM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
JellyBeanDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 92
Thanks: 2
Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts
GM's low drag calipers
http://www.mpbrakes.com/uploads/documents/lowdrag.pdf
__________________
1992 Geo Metro, 1.0L 5spd, 435,000 miles on the original engine and trans!
- knuckles/hubs/brakes/13" wheels from a 2000 Metro
- running 175 70R13
- averaging 51.7 MPG, 56.9MPG best tank.
- self built MPGuino
- http://www.dschmidt.com/MPGuinoJBD.html
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2012, 07:52 AM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philippines
Posts: 2,173
Thanks: 1,739
Thanked 589 Times in 401 Posts
Mazda uses floating brake pads for low friction on the Mazda2. They simply adjust the lever arm of the brake pedal to make up for it.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread






Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com