Longfield 0 Posted September 2, 2007 As the title says really... I'm looking at upgrading my brakes and have looked at the big 3 names as well as others like wilwood and hi spec. But, during this research i've come across claims from wilwoods being susceptible to flex. Could someone please exaplain to me how exactly calipers flex and the cause behind it? Could they also please explain to me what would stop a caliper from flexing? Thank you! Longfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted September 2, 2007 the cause, your big boot on the pedal to prevent it, get some more manly calipers. thats the simplified version basically there isnt enough material in certain areas of the caliper to prevent it from twisting/flexing when in contact with the disc/under pressure from the pistons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted September 2, 2007 My friends Wilwoods perform excellently, braking is absolutely amazing. BUT the pads wear unevenly which I assume is a symptom of caliper flex? This means that it eats pads pretty quickly which is fairly costly. We recently got some Alcons for another 205 and they are clearly leagues ahead of the wilwoods in terms of build quality (they also weigh less, and I thought the wilwoods were light!). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdamP 0 Posted September 2, 2007 When you press the middle pedal, the master cylinder pushes fluid into the slave cylinders (in the caliper). This 'piston' pushes the pad against the disc. Of course, something has to give in the system or the pedal wouldnt move... Usually the fluid compresses, and this pressure is what pushes the pad against the disc, but if a caliper isnt strong enough to take the pressure exerted back into the piston it will flex (ie. move the 'give' from the fluid to the caliper). This means less pressure is exerted onto the disc, reducing the braking force! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Longfield 0 Posted September 2, 2007 excellent. thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rippthrough 98 Posted September 2, 2007 Calipers will always flex, the only difference is by how much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdamP 0 Posted September 2, 2007 Doesn't make it a good thing though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base-1 17 Posted September 2, 2007 When you press the middle pedal, the master cylinder pushes fluid into the slave cylinders (in the caliper). This 'piston' pushes the pad against the disc. Of course, something has to give in the system or the pedal wouldnt move... Usually the fluid compresses, and this pressure is what pushes the pad against the disc, but if a caliper isnt strong enough to take the pressure exerted back into the piston it will flex (ie. move the 'give' from the fluid to the caliper). This means less pressure is exerted onto the disc, reducing the braking force! It is impossible to compress a liquid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rippthrough 98 Posted September 3, 2007 It is impossible to compress a liquid Ah, school education - "lies to children" It's not impossible to compress the air dissolved within a liquid either, which is more of the problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
