An automotive disk brake assembly installed in an automobile having a wheel. The assembly includes a floating caliper supporting an inner and outer brake pad and a brake rotor having a disk, and a hat, and wherein the hat is bolted to the wheel. A hydraulic cylinder is adapted to push the inner brake pads into the disk surface, causing the floating caliper to move bringing the outer brake pad into contact with the disk. Finally, the rotor is made such that a complete 100 kilometer per hour, 0.9 gross vehicle weight braking causes the disk to expand in thickness by at least 0.15 mm and to cool to shrink in thickness, relative to its expanded thickness, by at least 0.1 mm within 60 seconds of the cessation of braking, in an ambient temperature of less than 30° C.

A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.

A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.

A brake assembly having a brake spider that may receive an anchor pin or a sleeve that receives an anchor pin. Features such as splines may be provided with the anchor pin to help secure the anchor pin to the brake spider or the sleeve. Engagement features may be provided with the sleeve to help secure the sleeve to the brake spider.

A brake assembly having a brake spider that may receive an anchor pin or a sleeve that receives an anchor pin. Features such as splines may be provided with the anchor pin to help secure the anchor pin to the brake spider or the sleeve. Engagement features may be provided with the sleeve to help secure the sleeve to the brake spider.

A one piece drum brake spider construction eliminates welds and distortion, at least relative to a typically fabricated spider, and should improve brake performance. The spider includes a main body plate having opposed flat sides, an outer perimeter, and an inner perimeter configured to receive an axle tube. Vibration control structure is preferably formed on at least one of the opposed flat sides of the main body plate, and the brake drum spider additionally includes weight minimizing features. At least the main body plate may be produced by any of a casting technique, a stamping technique, a machining technique, and an additive manufacturing technique. The invention also concerns a process of producing such a brake drum spider.

A one piece drum brake spider construction eliminates welds and distortion, at least relative to a typically fabricated spider, and should improve brake performance. The spider includes a main body plate having opposed flat sides, an outer perimeter, and an inner perimeter configured to receive an axle tube. Vibration control structure is preferably formed on at least one of the opposed flat sides of the main body plate, and the brake drum spider additionally includes weight minimizing features. At least the main body plate may be produced by any of a casting technique, a stamping technique, a machining technique, and an additive manufacturing technique. The invention also concerns a process of producing such a brake drum spider.

A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and an adjustable torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.

A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and a torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.