Brakes

Pedals (Gas & Brake)

Over the years previous University of Windsor teams have tried various pedal designs from expensive custom CNC aluminum pedals to simpler go cart style brake pedals. Go cart styled pedals are good for weight savings and cost savings.

Yamaha Raptor Brake Calipers

The rear brake design features an inboard braking system that uses ultra-light single piston brake calipers.

Wave Rotors & Hub

Over the years the University of Windsor Baja team has equipped its vehicles with laser cut cross drilled wave rotors. The rear brake rotors take advantage of a three piece design which allows for easy assembly and disassembly in the event that they need to be replaced. The simple three piece design does not require the entire rear end of the vehicle to be taken apart when replacing the rotors, since the wave rotors are bolted using two bolts to connect them to a hub which is later keyed to the drive shaft. See the following picture.

Rotor Materials

Research has been conducted in the past on the use of aluminum coated rotors as opposed to steel rotors. The idea was to reduce weight, however it was found that the coefficient of friction decreased more then desired. For this reason more research is still required on this topic before it can be successfully implemented. Until then steel rotors are used.

Cutting Brake

The Mini Baja brake system also includes a rear “cutting brake”. The purpose of the cutting brake is to provide the driver the option of locking either the left rear wheel or the right rear wheel to help improve the vehicles cornering ability