Brake System

The brake system consists of the following components:

• Brake load sensor proportioning valve
• Fixed brake pedal
• Front single piston brake calipers
• Hydraulic control unit (HCU) (part of the ABS)
• Master cylinder and fluid reservoir
• Mechanical parking brake system
• Optional ABS
• Rear drum brake system
• Vacuum-assisted power brake booster

The brake pedal is connected to the power brake booster, which is connected to the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake fluid is pushed through the doubled-walled steel tubes and flexible hoses through the brake load sensor proportioning valve and to the front disc brake calipers and rear wheel cylinders. The brake fluid enters the brake calipers and wheel cylinders, forcing the caliper pistons, wheel cylinder pistons, brake pads and brake shoes outward against the brake disc and drum friction surfaces slowing or stopping the rotation of the wheels. When the brake pedal is released, brake fluid pressure is relieved, returning the caliper pistons, cylinder pistons, brake pads and brake shoes to the unapplied position.

For information on:

• the brake pedal, refer to HYDRAULIC BRAKE ACTUATION article.
• the front single piston brake calipers, refer to FRONT DISC BRAKE article.
• the master cylinder and fluid reservoir, refer to HYDRAULIC BRAKE ACTUATION article.
• the mechanical parking brake system, refer to PARKING BRAKE AND ACTUATION article.
• the optional ABS and HCU, refer to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SYSTEMS article.
• the rear drum brake system, refer to DRUM BRAKE article.
• the vacuum assisted power brake booster, refer to POWER BRAKE ACTUATION article.