How Disc Brakes Work - Fixed vs Floating

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How do disc brakes work? An explanation of how disc brakes work. A look at floating disc brakes and fixed disc brakes. Also multiple piston (pot) brakes and single piston brakes.

Advantages over drum brakes:
- Heat dissipation!!
- Self Cleaning

Disadvantages:
- More expensive.
- Not always as strong.

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I recently watched the 10 year anniversary video, and now I’ve stumbled upon this absolute classic because I felt embarrassed to not know the difference so I did some research. Thank you for a decade of quality explanations.

ohenry

Most cars have two separate main braking lines. One of which feeds the front left and rear right wheels, and the other for the front right and rear left wheels. This is done so in the event of a failure, you will still have 2 brakes to slow you down, one in the front and one in the rear - opposing sides to prevent your car from spinning. When you brake, with this setup, you would be using both front and rear. Wouldn't make sense to use front or back, instead just reduce the force on the pedal.

EngineeringExplained

Front is used the most, rear still does a decent % of the stopping. Yes, when you press the brake it goes to both front and back. 6 pot means six little piston cylinders at each caliper. And yes, slotted and drilled brakes are for enhanced cooling to reduce brake fade.

EngineeringExplained

@Aexotica The engine speed will decrease if you press on the brakes. If you were in a manual transmission vehicle and came all the way to a stop still in gear, the engine would shut off. This is why you have to shift to neutral. In an automatic car, when you come to a stop it shifts down gears depending on your speed, but there is no direct link between the tires and the engine due to the torque converter. It's a brilliant device, if only they were perfectly efficient.

EngineeringExplained

If it's an automatic car the torque converter will still spin but the transmission will not as the wheels are preventing it from doing so. In a manual car, you have to put the car in neutral (or hold in the clutch) to prevent the engine from stopping.

EngineeringExplained

Well, I suppose having a single line/piston makes things more simple, which is always a benefit. The more parts the greater the likelihood of failure. But using the right materials for the rotor/pads can yield pretty equal performance with either.

EngineeringExplained

Incredible how much has improved in 10 years 👍🏻
So this is fixed vs floating calipers?
I'm trying to compare fixed vs floating disc rotors on an ebike and compare difference in rotor sizes, without a degree

UncleFjester

Air brakes are certainly common, especially on large truck applications. Not sure about "electromechanic."

EngineeringExplained

I agree, your comment makes sense. it looks sporty but it is less practical for zipping around town, helps transfer heat and gets rid of the crap on the discs
they don't crack like drilled rotors.
I have to admit I think they look cool... (slotted)

oldfashionedwrx

Hello Jason, I absolutely love your channel and thankful for all the information you have provided me over the years. However, I do have an issue with this particular video. I know this is an older video but it's misleading due to the video thumbnail showing a Camaro fixed brake caliper with a floating rotor and the video only explaining the differences between a fixed and floating caliper. What about the differences between the floating rotor and fixed rotor? You didn't explain that in this video. I searched and I didn't find any videos of you ever explaining the differences between a floating rotor and a fixed rotor. Maybe it's time you made an updated video on this topic?

blktger

Not necessarily. For example oncoming traffic would hit the passenger side first. If you get t-boned, where your seat at doesn't mean where you're hit from. I would talk with a car insurance agent and see what they say, they would certainly know if it was higher risk, since they'd be the ones paying for it.

EngineeringExplained

Hahah, love the support, even if it's unrealistic!

EngineeringExplained

Great video! How do you avoid the caliper not hitting the rotor on the left side, in the floating calipher scheme, if the piston only pushes from one side, and the other one detaches? Thanks!

johncarlevaro