Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

How does the parking brake work on vehicles with rear disc brakes?

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Brake system

Video tutorial

This very interesting technical explanation introduces us to a question that perhaps few of us have ever considered: how does the parking brake work on vehicles that have disc brakes on the rear wheels? As the video shows, it operates through a mechanism that acts independently of the main hydraulic braking system: when the handbrake lever is pulled, a steel cable pulls a lever on the caliper, which, through a system of cams or a worm screw, mechanically pushes the piston in the caliper that, in turn, presses the brake pads against the brake disc, locking the wheel.

This mechanism is separate from the hydraulic actuation that occurs when the brake pedal is used.

Some vehicles use a small drum brake integrated into the center of the brake disc, known as "drum-in-hat." The most common system in modern cars is the Electric Parking Brake (EPB), which is used with a button and operates with electric motors on the calipers.


Posted on 17 December 2025 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

Replacing Rear Brake Pads on Vehicles with EPB
Replacing Rear Brake Pads on Vehicles with EPB
(Various brands) Various This video outlines the necessary steps to replace the rear brake pads on vehicles equipped with an EPB (Electric Parking Brake) system. First, activ…
How does the electric parking brake work?
How does the electric parking brake work?
(Various brands) Various In this video, we are explained how a generic electric parking brake works, specifically how to deactivate this component; normally, all you have to …
How to remove the handbrake during the driving test
How to remove the handbrake during the driving test
(Various brands) Various Today with the help of the following video tutorial, we will explain how to release the parking brake and how to engage it during the driving test. T…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Remove the Rear Seat of a Hyundai Tucson?

To remove the rear seat of a Hyundai Tucson, follow these steps. Start by moving the front seats to their most forward position to gain space. Next, locate the release lever on the underside of the rear seat, near the floor. Press this lever down while pulling the seat upwards to unlock it from the anchor pins. Once unlocked, tilt the seat upwards and forwards to remove it from its position. Repeat this process for both sides of the rear seat. Be careful of any electrical cables or components that may be connected to the seat during removal. Once the rear seat is removed, the disassembly is complete.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos