Abstract: A disc brake includes a housing which straddles a braking disc and is slidably mounted in a torque taking member. The housing includes a brake actuator mechanism having at least one adjustable tappet assembly. The tappet assembly extends through a bearing aperture and a cover plate and is sealed thereto by a seal assembly. The bearing aperture is defined by the inside wall of a bearing projection formed with the cover plate. A lever and eccentric arrangement operates the tappet assembly via a force transmission member located in a groove in the eccentric. An intermediate member also located in the groove carries a gear drive which operates an adjuster mechanism for the brake.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly is disclosed in which a single annular piston body (20) working in a circular bore is used to apply a first one of a pair of annular pad assemblies (102, 103) to a rotor assembly (101). The brake incorporates a ball and ramp mechanism comprising a rotating plate (30) which acts via balls (35) upon an advancement plate (40). The advancement plate (40) acts upon an adjustment ring (50) which is in screw threaded engagement with a peripheral wall of the piston (20). Rotation of the adjustment ring (50) relative to the piston (20) enables brake clearance to be adjusted, and an adjuster (60) is provided to allow automatic rotation of the adjustment ring (50) so as to enable the brake to self adjust. The adjuster (60) preferably comprises a first and second cog (63, 65) connected via a spring clutch (67) and acting between teeth on the rotating plate (30) and teeth on the adjustment plate (50). A manual adjuster (70) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for final balancing a brake drum determines the location and length of a first constant depth cut and a second constant depth cut along the squealer band which are necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the first and second constant depth cuts at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: A rotatable vehicle brake component having integrally formed teeth adapted for use with a sensor of an anti-lock brake system is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved ductile iron vehicle hub and method for producing the same wherein the method includes the steps of (a) providing a vehicle hub formed from ductile iron and including a generally axially extending body having a centrally located opening formed therethrough, the body including an open inner end, an open outer end, and a generally radially outwardly extending flange; and (b) shot peening selected outer surfaces of the body of the vehicle hub to induce compressive stresses therein to improve the fatigue life the vehicle hub.