Floating Callipers......What Are They?

[blueg33]

I keep seeing references to floating callipers. What are they? Do i need them?

[Mr2Mike]

A floating caliper is another name for a sliding caliper, i.e. one that (usually) has only one piston and is mounted on a pair of rails so the entire caliper body can slide in order to apply equal pressures to both sides of the disc. Used on virtually all low/mid range production cars for front and rear brakes (where disks fitted at the rear).

[Sam_68]

Non-floating calipers are bolted rigidly to the suspension upright and have a piston (or pistons) either side of the disc that press the pads against the disc when you brake.

Floating (also called sliding) calipers are mounted on slide pins that allow them to slide or float from side to side. They only have a piston on one side: when you press the brakes, that piston pushes the pad against the disc on one side but, because the caliper is free to slide, also pulls the caliper across so that it puls the other pad into contact with the disc at the same time.

No, you don't need them: they're a cost-saving solution adopted by mass manufacturers who only want to pay for one precision machined piston and seals instead of two. The slide pins tend to seize up as the car gets older, leading to uneven braking (cure is to free off, clean and lubricate the sliders, or simply replace them).

[blueg33]

Thanks for the info folks, that has answered my query. I was worried that they were something else. I have had an idea that could massively improve brake efficiency and reduce weight (i think). I wanted to make sure flating calipers weren't the same thing. Now i need to check with the patents office before I do some more work on the idea.

[PHaviator]

They are the inventon of the devil!!

No-one needs them!!