Which component is primarily responsible for converting hydraulic pressure into mechanical force in a brake system?

The brake caliper is primarily responsible for converting hydraulic pressure into mechanical force in a brake system. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid is forced through the brake lines and into the caliper. The pressure from the hydraulic fluid causes the caliper's pistons to move outward, which in turn pushes the brake pads against the brake rotor. This action generates the friction needed to slow down or stop the vehicle.

In this context, the brake pedal initiates the process by generating pressure, but it is the caliper that actually translates that hydraulic pressure into the mechanical force needed to engage the brakes effectively. The rotor, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in providing a surface for the brake pads to contact, but it does not perform the conversion of hydraulic pressure to mechanical force. Lastly, while brake lines serve an essential function in transporting the hydraulic fluid, they do not convert pressure into force; that task is fulfilled by the caliper.