Discs, Rotors & Hardware for Oldsmobile 442
An A-frame muscle car, the Oldsmobile 442 was designed for performance. While these automobiles were originally built with a drum braking system, there are occasions when the system is converted to disc brakes for easier handling and driver control comfort. Understanding this type of braking system gives you the ability to make a more informed decision on the products that optimally suit your needs and provide ideal breaking performance.
What type of braking system does the Oldsmobile 442 have?Originally, the Oldsmobile 442 was designed with a drum braking system. With this type of system, a set of brake shoes containing a friction material lining is forced against the inside of a brake drum connected to the automobiles wheel. This force is caused by hydraulic wheel cylinders within the braking system, which are initialized when the brake pedal inside of the vehicle is pressed.
What is an Oldsmobile 442 disc brake conversion kit?A disc brake conversion kit allows you to convert the drum brakes located at each of the four braking points of the automobile to a disc braking system. These conversion kits can be installed on the front, rear, or all four braking points, depending on what type of brake conversion you wish to perform. The kits contain the spindles, rotors, calipers, brake pads, caliper mounting pins, bearings, and seals, as well as dust caps to perform a complete transformation of the automobiles braking system.
How does a disc brake system work?Disc brakes are initiated when the driver presses the brake pedal inside of the vehicle. This signals the master cylinder to force fluid to the caliper points mounted by the four tires of the automobile. A piston located inside of the caliper presses brake pads against a disc or brake rotor. This action causes the vehicle to gradually slow down or stop its motion entirely.
What does a power brake booster do?A power brake booster utilizes a vacuum canister installed within the system to depressurize fluid that is flowing through the braking system. This allows the driver to use less pressure on the brake pedal and maximize slowing and stopping capabilities.
What different rotors are available for the Oldsmobile 442?When you depend on a disc braking system for an Oldsmobile 442, having rotors you can trust is a necessity. There are three different types of brake rotors, also referred to as discs, which you can utilize in this type of braking system. These include the standard, slotted, or drilled options.
- Standard: This has a solid, flat surface that the brake pads are pressed against.
- Slotted: Slits are present around the surface of the rotor to allow for maximum air flow, preventing the brake components from overheating during braking.
- Drilled: Holes are drilled into the brake rotor surface to allow gases and heat created during braking to escape.