Disc Brakes - Post - Quiz & Trivia

1. True or False. Rotors that are too thin cannot handle as much heat and will experience brake fade.

True

False

Rotors that are too thin do not have the same mass as those that are thicker. As a result, they hold onto more heat and fade is experienced.

Explanation

Rotors that are too thin do not have the same mass as those that are thicker. As a result, they hold onto more heat and fade is experienced.

2. True or False. Retracting the caliper piston on an integrated parking brake system is different than on a standard caliper.

True

False

A special tool is required when retracting a piston on a caliper with an integrated parking brake.

Explanation

A special tool is required when retracting a piston on a caliper with an integrated parking brake.

3. When installing wheels on a vehicle that a technician just finished servicing, the technician should use a(n) __________________________ to tighten each wheel lug nut.

Impact gun

Air ratchet

Torque wrench

None of the above

The torque wrench ensures each lug is tightened exactly as much as each other lug.

Explanation

The torque wrench ensures each lug is tightened exactly as much as each other lug.

4. In a disc brake system, the dust shields help control which of the following?

Dust

Water

Road debris

All of the above

The dust shield will help is keep all of these contaminates from the disc braking system.

Explanation

The dust shield will help is keep all of these contaminates from the disc braking system.

5. Removing the rotor is usually required when the rotor:

Is under the specified minimum thickness.

Would be under the minimum thickness after machining.

Both A and B

None of the above

The rotor would need to be replaced in both of these circumstances.

Explanation

The rotor would need to be replaced in both of these circumstances.

6. Disc brake rotors with holes or slots machined into their surface can help:

Dissipate heat more quickly.

Remove water more quickly

Both A and B

None of the above

Slotted and drilled will help with both heat removal and water removal, but it reduces the friction area of the pad with the rotor.

Explanation

Slotted and drilled will help with both heat removal and water removal, but it reduces the friction area of the pad with the rotor.

7. Excessive braking can cause which of the following brake conditions?

Warped brake rotors

Warped brake drums

Brake fade

All of the above

Excessive braking can cause various brake conditions such as warped brake rotors, warped brake drums, and brake fade. When brakes are applied too forcefully or for prolonged periods, the intense heat generated can cause the rotors or drums to warp, resulting in uneven braking and vibrations. Additionally, excessive braking can lead to brake fade, where the brakes lose their effectiveness due to overheating and reduced friction between the brake pads and rotors/drums. Therefore, all of the mentioned brake conditions can occur as a result of excessive braking.

Explanation

Excessive braking can cause various brake conditions such as warped brake rotors, warped brake drums, and brake fade. When brakes are applied too forcefully or for prolonged periods, the intense heat generated can cause the rotors or drums to warp, resulting in uneven braking and vibrations. Additionally, excessive braking can lead to brake fade, where the brakes lose their effectiveness due to overheating and reduced friction between the brake pads and rotors/drums. Therefore, all of the mentioned brake conditions can occur as a result of excessive braking.

8. When inspecting wheel studs for damage, a technician should look for which of the following?

Necked-down or thinned-out sections

Cross-threading

Seizing of the lug nut on the stud

All of the above

Each of these are examples of how a stud could be damaged.

Explanation

Each of these are examples of how a stud could be damaged.

9. Which of the following is a type of disc brake pad wear indicator?

Scratcher type

Sensor type

Both A and B

None of the above

Both of these are options for brake pad wear indication.

Explanation

Both of these are options for brake pad wear indication.

10. Excessive brake disc rotor thickness variation will cause:

Steering wheel shimmy.

A brake surging feeling.

Both A and B

None of the above

Excessive thickness variation will cause surging and may lead to a shimmy in the steering wheel.

Explanation

Excessive thickness variation will cause surging and may lead to a shimmy in the steering wheel.

11. Tech A says that disc brakes are used on the front of most vehicles built since the early 1970s and on the rear wheels of many vehicles. Tech B says that a disc brake operates by squeezing brake pads on both sides of a rotor or disc that is attached to the wheel. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

Both Techs A and B are correct. Disc brakes have been used on the front of most vehicles built since the early 1970s, and they are also commonly used on the rear wheels of many vehicles. A disc brake operates by squeezing brake pads on both sides of a rotor or disc that is attached to the wheel, providing effective braking power.

Explanation

Both Techs A and B are correct. Disc brakes have been used on the front of most vehicles built since the early 1970s, and they are also commonly used on the rear wheels of many vehicles. A disc brake operates by squeezing brake pads on both sides of a rotor or disc that is attached to the wheel, providing effective braking power.

12. Which of the following is a typical disc rotor?

Hub-style

Hubless-style

Both A and B

None of the above

Disc rotors are available in both a hub and hubless-style configuration.

Explanation

Disc rotors are available in both a hub and hubless-style configuration.

13. Which of the following can cause brake pedal pulsation?

Rotors with excessive lateral run out

Anti-lock braking system operation

Both A and B

None of the above

Both of these will cause brake pedal pulsation, but when the ABS operates, it's considered normal.

Explanation

Both of these will cause brake pedal pulsation, but when the ABS operates, it's considered normal.

14. All of the following are types of disc brake calipers, EXCEPT:

Rotating caliper.

Fixed caliper

Floating caliper.

Sliding caliper.

Rotating calipers do not exist.

Explanation

Rotating calipers do not exist.

15. All of the following are disadvantages of disc brake systems, EXCEPT:

Water dissipation.

Rotor warpage.

Squeals.

Squeaks.

Water dissipation is an advantage of the disc braking system.

Explanation

Water dissipation is an advantage of the disc braking system.

16. Tech A says that a wheel stud that shows signs of cross-threaded lug nuts should be rethreaded with a die and put back in service. Tech B says that a wheel stud that shows signs of cross-threaded lug nuts should be replaced. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

If found to be damaged, wheel studs and lugs should never be reused or repaired.

Explanation

If found to be damaged, wheel studs and lugs should never be reused or repaired.

17. Which of the following is MOST likely to be part of the hydraulic brake system?

Brake hoses

Wheel cylinder

Disc brake caliper

All of the above

All of the mentioned components, brake hoses, wheel cylinder, and disc brake caliper, are commonly found in a hydraulic brake system. Brake hoses are responsible for carrying brake fluid to various brake components, including the wheel cylinders and disc brake calipers. The wheel cylinder is a hydraulic device that applies pressure to the brake shoes, causing them to press against the brake drum and slow down the vehicle. The disc brake caliper, on the other hand, applies pressure to the brake pads, causing them to clamp down on the brake rotor and slow down the vehicle. Therefore, all of these components are essential parts of a hydraulic brake system.

Explanation

All of the mentioned components, brake hoses, wheel cylinder, and disc brake caliper, are commonly found in a hydraulic brake system. Brake hoses are responsible for carrying brake fluid to various brake components, including the wheel cylinders and disc brake calipers. The wheel cylinder is a hydraulic device that applies pressure to the brake shoes, causing them to press against the brake drum and slow down the vehicle. The disc brake caliper, on the other hand, applies pressure to the brake pads, causing them to clamp down on the brake rotor and slow down the vehicle. Therefore, all of these components are essential parts of a hydraulic brake system.

18. True or False. Pinching off the flexible brake hoses with vice grip pliers is a recommended method of closing rubber brake lines.

True

False

No, vise grips are way too aggressive to install on a brake hose.

Explanation

No, vise grips are way too aggressive to install on a brake hose.

19. Tech A says that fixed calipers are rigidly bolted in place and cannot move or slide. Tech B says that the sliding or floating caliper has brake pads located on each side of the rotor, but all the pistons are on only one side, usually the inside of the rotor. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

Fixed calipers are rigidly bolted in place. Sliding calipers do only have one piston.

Explanation

Fixed calipers are rigidly bolted in place. Sliding calipers do only have one piston.

20. The amount of friction between two moving faces in contact with each other is expressed as a ratio and is called:

Friction.

The coefficient of friction.

The coefficient of heat.

None of the above

The amount of friction between two moving faces in contact with each other is expressed as a ratio and is called the coefficient of friction. This ratio represents the force required to overcome the friction between the two surfaces. It is a dimensionless quantity that varies depending on the nature of the surfaces in contact and the presence of any lubricants. The coefficient of friction is an important concept in physics and engineering as it helps in understanding and predicting the behavior of objects in contact with each other.

Explanation

The amount of friction between two moving faces in contact with each other is expressed as a ratio and is called the coefficient of friction. This ratio represents the force required to overcome the friction between the two surfaces. It is a dimensionless quantity that varies depending on the nature of the surfaces in contact and the presence of any lubricants. The coefficient of friction is an important concept in physics and engineering as it helps in understanding and predicting the behavior of objects in contact with each other.

21. Tech A says that burnishing the new brake pads results in longer brake pad life. Tech B says that burnishing the new brake pads results in quiet brake life. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

Burnishing pads will help extend pad life and to reduce potential noise.

Explanation

Burnishing pads will help extend pad life and to reduce potential noise.

22. Tech A says that the piston on a brake caliper that integrates the parking brake will need to be screwed back in on the threaded shaft to retract it into the bore. Tech B says that you need a special tool that mates to slots, grooves, or holes in the outer face of the caliper piston. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

A special tool is required to push the piston back in and it does line up with the grooves in the face of the caliper piston.

Explanation

A special tool is required to push the piston back in and it does line up with the grooves in the face of the caliper piston.

23. If the ________________ anti-lock braking system warning lamp illuminates, it typically means the vehicle's power train control module has observed a fault in the anti-lock brake system and will need to be checked for diagnostic trouble codes.

Red

Blue

Yellow

None of the above

The ABS warning light is most often yellow. It is a less threatening situation for the vehicle occupants, than low brake fluid.

Explanation

The ABS warning light is most often yellow. It is a less threatening situation for the vehicle occupants, than low brake fluid.

24. Tech A says that manufacturers have dealt with caliper brake piston corrosion by making pistons out of a phenolic resin. Tech B says that even though the phenolic pistons themselves do not corrode, the cast iron bore of the caliper does corrode and rust, and can therefore cause a phenolic piston to seize in the bore. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

Phenolic pistons will not corrode. Only the caliper cavity will.

Explanation

Phenolic pistons will not corrode. Only the caliper cavity will.

25. True or False. Disc rotors and drums can be refinished while on the vehicle or off the vehicle

True

False

Drums can not be refinished while they remain installed.

Explanation

Drums can not be refinished while they remain installed.

26. Which of the following is/are LEAST likely to be used to reduce disc brake squeal?

Shims

Spacers

Axle grease

Bendable tangs

Axel grease is not used on braking components.

Explanation

Axel grease is not used on braking components.

27. Once all of the lug nuts have been torqued, go around them again, this time in a _______________ to ensure that you did not miss any in the previous pattern.

Star pattern

Circular pattern

Alternating pattern

None of the above

Always use a star pattern to ensure the wheel is uniformly tightened to the hub.

Explanation

Always use a star pattern to ensure the wheel is uniformly tightened to the hub.

28. Tech A says that in disc brake calipers, the piston is sealed by a stationary round section sealing ring, also called a round cut O-ring. Tech B says that in disc brake calipers, the piston is sealed by a stationary square section sealing ring, also called a square cut O-ring. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

The seal for the piston is a stationary, square cut seal.

Explanation

The seal for the piston is a stationary, square cut seal.

29. Parking brakes use a _______________________ to maintain tension on the parking brake cables and assembly when applied.

Ratcheting mechanism

Scrum mechanism

Both A and B

None of the above

Parking brakes use a ratcheting mechanism to maintain tension on the parking brake cables and assembly when applied. This mechanism allows the brake to stay engaged even when pressure is released, preventing the vehicle from rolling or moving. The ratcheting mechanism locks the brake in place, ensuring that it remains engaged until intentionally released.

Explanation

Parking brakes use a ratcheting mechanism to maintain tension on the parking brake cables and assembly when applied. This mechanism allows the brake to stay engaged even when pressure is released, preventing the vehicle from rolling or moving. The ratcheting mechanism locks the brake in place, ensuring that it remains engaged until intentionally released.

30. Tech A says that when the brake pedal is depressed, a push rod creates the hydraulic pressure in the disc brake system. Tech B says that when the brake pedal is depressed, a push rod transfers the force through a brake booster to a hydraulic master cylinder. Who is correct?

Tech A

Tech B

Both Techs A and B

Neither Tech A nor B

The push rod does not create hydraulic force. It is merely an intermediate component, responsible for transferring force to the remaining brake system.

Explanation

The push rod does not create hydraulic force. It is merely an intermediate component, responsible for transferring force to the remaining brake system.