Abstract: A brake force measurement system comprises at least one sensor configured to generate an output indicative of a force applied by to a first braking member associated with a rotatable wheel of a vehicle by a second braking member. The second braking member may be an actual brake pad or a substitute pad plate or member. In one embodiment, the sensor is a load cell configured to measure force applied by the pad or substitute pad member to a rotor of a brake mechanism associated with each wheel of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor output is input to a processing unit configured to display brake force information in human-readable form, such as by an alpha-numeric display displaying brake force at each wheel in various units of measure or percentage of brake force at one or more wheels.

Abstract: A fluid accumulator for a brake system includes a housing. A piston is movably mounted in the housing, the piston and housing defining a fluid chamber. A port leads through the housing to the chamber. A spring or other biasing element forces the piston towards one end of the housing. In one embodiment, one end of the spring is mounted to a rod which extends from the housing. The position of the rod maybe changed to change the spring biasing force on the piston. A brake system includes a balance bar actuating two master cylinders, each providing fluid to a fluid line leading to one or more braking mechanisms. An accumulator is located along one of the lines for accumulating fluid and preventing brake lock.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining the geometry of a wheel of a vehicle and/or the geometry of the associated support or drive structure. In one embodiment, a gauge includes caster and camber vials or an electro-mechanical sensor for outputting caster and camber angle to a display. In use, the gauge is aligned with or referenced to an indicator, such as a slot or marking. In one embodiment, the indicator has a reference position of zero degrees caster angle. The gauge measures the current position of the indicator compared to its reference position. The gauge includes a connecting element for maintaining it in alignment with the indicator, such as a threaded ring which engages the spindle or a magnetic ring engaging a wheel hub.