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Air Disc Brake Caliper Identification Guide

Professional air disc brake caliper identification resource for commercial vehicles. Use our comprehensive lookup tool to identify calipers and find compatible pads, rotors, and service parts.

Understanding Air Disc Brake Calipers

Caliper Types

  • Single Piston: Most common design with one or two pistons on one side. Caliper slides to apply equal pressure.
  • Twin Piston: Two pistons provide higher clamping force. Common in heavy duty and transit applications.
  • Sliding Caliper: Caliper slides on pins or guides. Simple design with fewer parts.
  • Fixed Caliper: Caliper doesn't move; pistons on both sides. Better heat dissipation but more complex.

Major Manufacturers

  • Bendix: ADB22X series - Market leader in North America
  • Meritor: EX+ and ELSA series - Popular on trailers and drive axles
  • Wabco: PAN and MAXX series - European design, growing market share
  • Knorr-Bremse: SB/SN/SL series - Common on buses and European trucks
  • Haldex: ModulT series - Lightweight, trailer focused

Key Components

  • Caliper Housing: Cast iron or aluminum body containing pistons
  • Pistons: Apply pressure to brake pads when air pressure is applied
  • Adjuster Mechanism: Automatic adjustment for pad wear
  • Guide Pins/Slides: Allow caliper movement (sliding types)

Mounting Types

  • Radial Mount: Bolts perpendicular to rotor face. Most common design.
  • Axial Mount: Bolts parallel to axle. Often used on drive axles.
  • Frame Mount: Mounts directly to vehicle frame or suspension.

How to Identify Your Air Disc Brake Caliper

Step 1

Find Manufacturer

Look for cast or stamped manufacturer name on caliper body (Bendix, Meritor, Wabco, etc.)

Step 2

Locate Model Number

Find model designation (ADB22X, EX225H2, PAN22, etc.) usually near manufacturer name

Step 3

Check Part Number

Note the complete part number for exact identification and service parts

Step 4

Verify Compatibility

Check compatible pad FMSI numbers and rotor specifications

Important Caliper Specifications & Maintenance

Critical Specifications

  • Piston Size: Determines clamping force (17-24mm typical)
  • Mounting Bolts: Must be torqued to specification
  • Guide Pins: Must slide freely without binding
  • Minimum Rotor Thickness: Never exceed wear limits

Maintenance Guidelines

  • • Service guide pins and boots every pad change
  • • Check for leaks at piston seals
  • • Verify adjuster mechanism operation
  • • Use OEM service kits for rebuilds

Warning: Always replace calipers in axle sets. Never mix different caliper models on the same axle.

Popular Caliper Models Comparison

ModelManufacturerTypeMax ForceWeightBest For
ADB22XBendixSingle Piston30 kN77 lbsAll positions, versatile
EX225H2MeritorSingle Piston28 kN75 lbsHighway, long haul
PAN 22WabcoSingle Piston30 kN74 lbsHeavy duty trucks
SB7000Knorr-BremseTwin Piston32 kN85 lbsTransit buses
DBT22LTHaldexSingle Piston28 kN73 lbsTrailers

Common Caliper Issues & Solutions

Uneven Pad Wear

  • • Check guide pin movement and lubrication
  • • Verify caliper slides freely on carrier
  • • Inspect for bent or damaged hardware

Brake Drag

  • • Check adjuster mechanism for over-adjustment
  • • Verify piston retraction
  • • Inspect air chamber and slack adjuster

Noise Issues

  • • Check pad hardware and shims
  • • Verify proper pad installation
  • • Inspect rotor surface condition

Poor Braking Performance

  • • Verify correct pad type for application
  • • Check for air system issues
  • • Inspect for contaminated pads

Air Disc Brake Caliper Lookup Tool

Air Disc Brake Caliper Lookup Filters

Bendix ADB22X

P/N: K046741

ADB Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1369
Rotor Size:
16.93", 17"
Weight:77 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:30 kN
Service Kit:K074839

Applications:

Class 8 Trucks, Trailers, Buses, Heavy Duty Vehicles

Features:

  • 22mm twin piston design
  • Automatic pad wear adjustment
  • Integrated parking brake

Bendix ADB22X-LT

P/N: K074777

ADB Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1369
Rotor Size:
16.93"
Weight:72 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:25 kN
Service Kit:K074840

Applications:

Light Trucks, Medium Duty, School Buses

Features:

  • Lighter weight version
  • Optimized for medium duty
  • Same pad as ADB22X

Haldex DB22LT

P/N: 95001002

ModulT Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1583
Rotor Size:
16.93"
Weight:72 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:28 kN

Applications:

Standard Duty, Fleet Applications

Features:

  • Standard ModulT
  • Proven reliability
  • Easy maintenance

Haldex DBT22LT

P/N: 95001001

ModulT Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1583
Rotor Size:
16.93"
Weight:73 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:28 kN

Applications:

Trailers, Trucks, Buses

Features:

  • ModulT disc brake
  • Lightweight design
  • Integrated adjuster

Knorr-Bremse SB7000

P/N: K002432

SB Series

Twin Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1203
Rotor Size:
17"
Weight:85 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:32 kN

Applications:

Transit Buses, City Buses, Articulated Buses

Features:

  • Transit specific design
  • 70mm twin piston
  • High frequency braking

Knorr-Bremse SL7

P/N: K002520

SL Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1450
Rotor Size:
15"
Position:All Positions

Applications:

Light Commercial, Delivery Vans, Small Buses

Features:

  • Lightweight series
  • Compact design
  • Cost effective

Knorr-Bremse SN7000

P/N: K002433

SN Series

Twin Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1203
Rotor Size:
17"
Weight:86 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:32 kN

Applications:

Coach Buses, Tourist Buses, Long Distance

Features:

  • Coach optimized
  • Quiet operation
  • Premium finish

Meritor D-ELSA

P/N: MCK1407

ELSA Series

Twin Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1407
Rotor Size:
17"
Position:All Positions

Applications:

Transit Buses, City Buses

Features:

  • Transit specific design
  • Frequent stop capability
  • Enhanced cooling

Meritor D-ELSA2

P/N: MCK1310

ELSA Series

Twin Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1310
Rotor Size:
17"
Position:All Positions

Applications:

Modern Transit Buses, Electric Buses, Hybrid Buses

Features:

  • Second generation transit design
  • Regenerative braking compatible
  • Quiet operation

Meritor D-LISA

P/N: MCK1312

LISA Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1312
Rotor Size:
15"
Position:All Positions

Applications:

Light Transit, Shuttle Buses, Paratransit

Features:

  • Lightweight design
  • Ideal for smaller buses
  • Lower maintenance costs

Meritor ELSA 225-3

P/N: ELSA225

ELSA Series

Twin Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1708
Rotor Size:
17"
Weight:80 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:32 kN

Applications:

Heavy Duty, Severe Service, Mining

Features:

  • European design
  • Twin piston for high force
  • Severe duty rated

Meritor EX225H2

P/N: MCK1235

EX+ Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1311
Rotor Size:
17.09"
Weight:75 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:28 kN
Service Kit:MCK1235SK

Applications:

Highway Trucks, Long Haul, Trailers

Features:

  • Single large piston design
  • EX+ Life Series
  • Longer service intervals

Meritor EX225H3

P/N: MCK1270

EX+ Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1323, D1311
Rotor Size:
17.09"
Weight:73 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:30 kN
Service Kit:MCK1270SK

Applications:

Latest Generation Trucks, Advanced Air Disc Systems

Features:

  • Third generation design
  • Improved heat dissipation
  • Enhanced durability

Meritor EX225L2

P/N: MCK1236

EX+ Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1370
Rotor Size:
17.09"
Weight:74 lbs
Position:Trailer
Max Force:28 kN
Service Kit:MCK1236SK

Applications:

Trailers, Long Combination Vehicles

Features:

  • Optimized for trailer applications
  • Long life design
  • Reduced maintenance

Wabco MAXX22T

P/N: 4005002200

MAXX Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1777MAX
Rotor Size:
16.93"
Weight:76 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:30 kN

Applications:

Premium Trucks, Fleet Applications

Features:

  • MAXX life series
  • Extended warranty
  • Premium performance

Wabco MAXXUS

P/N: 4005002500

MAXX Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D2061
Rotor Size:
17", 17.24"
Weight:82 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:35 kN

Applications:

Heavy Duty, Severe Service, Mining

Features:

  • Largest MAXX series
  • Maximum stopping power
  • Severe duty rated

Wabco PAN 17

P/N: 4005001500

PAN Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1518
Rotor Size:
15"
Weight:55 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:18 kN

Applications:

Medium Duty Trucks, Regional Haul, Delivery Trucks

Features:

  • Compact design
  • 17mm twin piston
  • Integrated adjuster

Wabco PAN 19

P/N: 4005001600

PAN Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1438
Rotor Size:
16"
Weight:62 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:22 kN

Applications:

Trucks, Coaches, Medium Heavy Duty

Features:

  • 19mm twin piston
  • Balanced performance
  • European engineering

Wabco PAN 22

P/N: 4005001700

PAN Series

Single Piston
Compatible Pads:
D1777PAN
Rotor Size:
16.93", 17"
Weight:74 lbs
Position:All Positions
Max Force:30 kN

Applications:

Heavy Duty Trucks, Long Haul, Trailers

Features:

  • 22mm twin piston
  • High performance
  • Low maintenance
Showing 19 air disc brake calipers

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