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How does a floating caliper work?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by MrSeca, Jul 14, 2020.

  1. MrSeca

    MrSeca Active Member

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    This may sound lame but I own a Seca 650 and I'm not sure how my floating caliper works. I'm particularly confused on how the "floating" part of the caliper moves back and forth. Between the washer based bolt, the sleeve caliper, and the caliper boot what is sliding on what? Does the boot hold the sleeve caliper in a fixed position and the washer based bolt slides back and forth? However, when I tighten it to spec (13lbs) it feels like it can't move or slide at all. Or does the bolt and sleeve caliper work as a unit and slide together inside the boot? Some one please put me out of my misery.
     
  2. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    A video of it.


     
  3. MrSeca

    MrSeca Active Member

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    Thanks but you'll notice the slide pins on the model have springs. The slide pins in our calipers don't have springs.
     
  4. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    most floating calipers just rely on the spring back of the seals to pull the piston back in and pressure on the disk is released, and it floats there. the spring is there to help the pads float a little
    farther from the disk
     
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  5. MrSeca

    MrSeca Active Member

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    I realize that but I say again, the calipers on the Seca 650 don't have springs. It's just a boot, sleeve, and a washer based bolt.
     
  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    because with new pads there's no room to move that you can see. if the pads were worn out, you could push the piston in giving it some room to move and slide the caliper back and forth
    then through careful observation it would all become crystal clear, your over thinking this pal :)
    springs are for sissy's
     
  7. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    if you really want some send @chacal a note for some brake springs :D
     
  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Most floating calipers don't have springs.
    As Polock said, they retract away from the pads becuse of the pull of the seals in combination with the brake fluid being returned into the master cylinder.
     
  9. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    if a floating caliper had a spring, would it still be a floating caliper? maybe then it's a spring caliper, inquiring minds want to know
     

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