Abstract: A piston for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly includes a generally hollow cylindrical body having an open end and a closed end. The body is formed from a plastic material and includes inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which extend axially between the open end and the closed end. A generally cylindrical steel cover is integrally molded about the closed end and the outer surface of the body of the piston. The cover includes an end wall, an outer side wall and an open end. The end wall of the cover extends about the closed end of the body of the piston, and the outer side wall of the cover extends axially along the outer surface of the body of the piston. The outer side wall of the cover extends past the open end of the body of the piston, in the direction of the brake shoe. Accordingly, during the braking operation it is the steel cover which urges the brake shoe against the rotor, instead of the body of the piston urging the brake shoe against the rotor.

Abstract: A piston for use in a disc brake assembly includes: a hollow plastic body defining an axis and including an open end and a closed end, the body defining an inner surface and an outer surface extending axially between the open end and the closed end; and a first steel cover integrally molded about portions of the outer surface and the closed end of the body, the first cover including an outer side wall and an end wall, the outer side wall of the first cover extending axially inwardly toward the open end along a portion of the outer surface of the body, and the end wall of the first cover extending radially inwardly along a portion of the closed end of the body.

Abstract: An improved structure for a disc brake piston heat shield adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes a caliper provided with at least one cylindrical recess formed therein. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess. The piston includes a closed end and an open end. The open end of the piston is provided with at least a pair of projections extending therefrom. The projections define a pair of abutment surfaces and a pair of end surfaces located axially inward relative to the abutment surfaces, A pair of brake shoes are carried by the disc brake assembly and are disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each brake shoe includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carried by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor.

Abstract: A bleeder screw for use in a disc brake assembly including a caliper provided with at least one cylindrical recess formed therein and at least one aperture formed therein. The aperture in the caliper includes a non-threaded portion and a threaded portion. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess, and a pair of brake shoes are carded by the disc brake assembly and disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each of the brake shoes includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carded by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor. The bleeder screw is threadably disposed in the aperture of the caliper. The bleeder screw includes an elastomeric seal disposed about a portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved structure for a brake shoe hold down clip adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes a caliper provided with at least one recess formed therein. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess, and a pair of brake shoes are carried by the disc brake assembly and disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each of said brake shoes includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carried by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein said each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor. The brake shoe hold down clip includes a central mounting portion and a pair of end arms extending generally parallel to the central mounting portion from opposite sides thereof.