The disc brakes work with a simple mechanism. The fluid forces small pistons within the brake calipers to push the brake pads onto the brake discs, and it's this clamping force which slows the car down. Today bendix will show you how th. Working of the disc brakes. When a pilot pushes the top of the right pedal, it activates the brakes on the right main wheel/wheels, and when the pilot pushes the top of the left rudder pedal, it activates the brake on the left main wheel/wheels.