Abstract: This invention relates to a pad spring for use in a disc brake assembly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disc brake assembly comprises an anchor bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle component; a brake caliper adapted to be secured to the anchor bracket; an inboard friction pad and an outboard friction pad carried by the disc brake assembly and adapted to be disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated brake rotor; actuation means for selectively moving the inboard and outboard friction pads into frictional engagement with the rotor; and a pad spring carried by at least one end of one of the friction pads for moving the friction pads from engagement with the rotor when the actuation means is released; wherein the pad spring includes a first portion for applying a first retraction force and a second portion for applying a second retraction force which is different from the first retraction force.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pad spring for use in a disc brake assembly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disc brake assembly comprises an anchor bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle component; a brake caliper adapted to be secured to the anchor bracket; an inboard friction pad and an outboard friction pad carried by the disc brake assembly and adapted to be disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated brake rotor; actuation means for selectively moving the inboard and outboard friction pads into frictional engagement with the rotor; and a pad spring carried by at least one end of one of the friction pads for moving the friction pads from engagement with the rotor when the actuation means is released; wherein the pad spring includes a first portion for applying a first retraction force and a second portion for applying a second retraction force which is different from the first retraction force.

Abstract: A friction clutch/flywheel assembly includes a flywheel with a predetermined diametral area designed to hold a preferably cylindrical wall of a basin-shaped clutch housing, so that the clutch housing does not rotate and is also secured against axial movement with respect to the flywheel. The assembly is designed so that there is a clamping device allocated to at least one of the flywheel or the clutch housing, which clamping device is designed to be located in the contact area between the cylindrical wall of the clutch housing and the predetermined diametral area of the flywheel. By means of this clamping device, the flywheel and clutch housing can be held in a non-positive connection with one another.