Which component keeps sliding caliper disc brake pads in adjustment?

The correct component that keeps sliding caliper disc brake pads in adjustment is the square cut piston seal. This seal plays a crucial role in the functionality of the caliper. It is designed to create a hydraulic seal that allows the piston to exert pressure evenly on the brake pads against the disc rotor when the brakes are applied.

As the caliper piston moves forward under hydraulic pressure, the square cut seal maintains its position and returns the piston to its original position when the brake pedal is released. This action ensures that the brake pads are consistently in contact with the rotor, maintaining proper adjustment and alignment as they wear down over time. The design of the seal allows it to pull the piston back slightly when released, which also helps prevent drag and overheating of the brake components.

Other components in the system, such as caliper mounting bolts and brake line connectors, serve important roles, but they do not directly keep the brake pads in adjustment. The disk rotor serves as the surface the pads engage with but does not relate to the adjustment mechanism of the brake pads themselves.