What is the part of the brakes that house the brake pads and pistons called?

The caliper is the component of the braking system that houses the brake pads and the pistons. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder forces the pistons in the caliper to push the brake pads against the brake rotor, creating the friction necessary to slow down or stop the vehicle. This critical function of the caliper ensures effective and responsive braking.

The rotor is the disc-shaped component that the brake pads clamp onto to create friction but does not house the pads or pistons itself. A drum brake refers to a type of brake system that uses a drum and internal shoes rather than pads and is different in construction and operation from a disc brake system. The wheel stud is a fastener used to secure the wheel to the vehicle's hub and does not have any role in the braking system itself.