BRAKE SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

With the rapid development of automobile manufacturing, the car will be all over the

tens of thousands of households, the increase in car traffic, a direct result of the

incidence of traffic accidents. Brake system is the guarantee of the safety of the car,

its technical condition is good or bad, directly affect the operational safety and

transportation efficiency, so the brake system is absolutely reliable. The

requirements of the car on the braking system are to have a certain braking force to

ensure reliable work in all cases, light and flexible operation. Normal braking should

be good performance, in addition to a foot sensitive, the emergency brake four

rounds cannot be too long, not partial, not ring.

COMPONENTS OF BRAKE SYSTEM

Brake system

It is the one of the most important systems in an automobile. It consists of

a combination of interacting parts that work together to slow or stop a vehicle.

Purpose of Braking System


To be able to slow the vehicle without affecting the engine speed.

To be able to stop the vehicle while the engine is still running.

To provide emergency stop of the vehicle within lowest time and distance.

BRAKE SYSTEM
Components of Brake System

1. Brake Pad

Brake pads are a component of disc brakes used in automotive and other applications.

Brake pads are composed of steel backing plates with friction material bound to the

surface that faces the disc brake rotor.

2. Brake Shoes

Brake shoes are the curved, metal friction plates pressing against the inside of the

brake drums to slow the wheels.

3. Wheel Cylinder

A wheel cylinder is a component of a hydraulic drum brake system. It is located in

each wheel and is usually positioned at the top of the wheel, above the shoes. Its
function is to exert force onto the shoes so as to bring them into contact with the

drum and stop the vehicle with friction.

4. Brake Rotors

This is where the brake pads rub against to create the friction to stop the car.

5. Brake Calipers

Brake calipers are a vital part of your vehicle's braking system. Brake calipers squeeze

the brake pads against the surface of the brake rotor to slow or stop the vehicle

6. Brake Pedals

A foot pedal that moves the piston in the master cylinder when stepped.

7. Master Cylinder

Master cylinder is a hydraulic device in which cylinder and one or two pistons are

arranged in such a manner that the mechanical force applied by the driver of a

vehicle either by brake pedal is converted into hydraulic pressure which in turn

transferred to the brake caliper for braking.

8. Brake Line

Brake lines are tubes that carry brake fluid between brake components.

9. Brake Hose

A brake hose is made of rubber. It is to carry brake fluid from a brake line fixed to the

car’s body the rest of the way to the brake caliper on the wheel. Its flexibility is what

allows the wheel to move with the suspension.

10. Brake Fluid Reservoir

Brake fluid reservoirs are canisters that connect to the brake master cylinder. The

brake fluid reservoir stores your vehicle's brake fluid and protects it so that your

hydraulic braking system can work properly.

11. Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that is not compressible fluid and it is used to transfer

force into pressure, and to amplify braking force

12. Vacuum Power Booster

Vacuum power brake boosters use vacuum to amplify braking power.

13. Combination Valve

Combination valves include a metering valve, a proportioning valve, and a pressure

differential switch. This valve does a combination of things and is made up of several

different segments doing many different things.

14. Parking Brake or Hand Brake

The parking brake, also known as a hand brake or emergency brake (ebrake),

is a mechanism used to keep the vehicle securely motionless when parked.

Historically, it was also used to help perform an emergency stop should the main

hydraulic brakes fail.

TYPE S OF BRAKES

Types of Brake System

1. Mechanical Brake System 5. Power Brake System

2. Drum Brake System 6. Split-Hydraulic System

3. Disc Brake System 7. Anti-lock Brake System

4. Hydraulic Brake System 8. Air Brake System

1. MECHANICAL BRAKE SYSTEM

It consists of mechanical linkages for braking effort transfer from pedal to brake

drum.

2. DRUM BRAKE SYSTEM

Is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press

against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum. It is a brake in which

brake lining attached to them are pushed by hydraulic pistons against the inner

surface of a drum rotating together with the axle.

Principle

Drum Brake System

Brake drums are essential component of drum brakes. Together with a brake shoe, a

brake drum forms a friction pair, which decelerates the rotation of the wheel.

Components of Drum Brake System


Backing Plate

The plate, attached to the axle assembly, holds the components of the drum brake

assembly.
Brake Shoe

Brake shoe is the part of a braking system which carries the brake lining in the drum

brakes used on automobiles.

Brake Drums

Are essential component of drum brakes. Together with a brake shoe, a brake drum

forms a friction pair, which decelerates the rotation of the wheel.

Return Springs

The return springs pull the shoes back when brakes are released

Hold-down Springs and Pins

These springs and pins hold the shoes to the backing plate and keep the shoes in

position.

Wheel Cylinder

the brakes are applied, hydraulic pressure pushes the two pistons in the wheel

cylinder outward against the shoes

Self-Adjustment Mechanism

SELF ADJUSTOR - To maintain the correct shoe-to-drum clearance.

Parking Brake

The parking brake, also called the emergency or e-brake, is a mechanical brake used

primarily to lock the brakes when the vehicle is parked.

Types of Drum Brake Designs


Nonservo Brake Design

Nonservo drum brakes, also called leading-trailing brakes, place the anchor at the

bottom of the backing plate, between the lower edges of the brake shoes, as shown in

the figure.

Servo Brake Design

It is drum brake design that use leverage to increase brake application force

Servo brakes are often used on larger vehicles, such as trucks, vans, SUVs, and

larger passenger cars

ADVANTAGES

It can generate greater stopping force than disc.

Cheaper than the disc brake

DISADVANTAGES

drum brakes include mechanical brake fade

Over heating

3. DISC BRAKE SYSTEM

How Disc Brake works?

A disc brake is a type of brake that uses calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a

disc or "rotor"to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a

vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold it stationary.

Working PRINCIPLE

The disc brake system works based on Pascal's law which states that " Pressure
exerted anywhere in a contained incompressible fluid is distributed equally in all

direction throughout the fluid".

Parts of Disc Brake System


Wheel Hub

It holds the wheel and the disc rotor and bearing inside it allows their smooth

rotation.

Disc Rotor

It is the part to which the brakes pads squeeze against which slow the rotation of

the wheel. It produces a lot of heat due to friction and the drilled holes provides

ventilation to remove this heat.

Caliper Bracket

This bracket keeps the brake calipers in fixed position, making it possible to slow the

vehicle down

Anti-rattle Clips

Keeps brake pads stable.


Slider Pins

Its slides along the caliper frame within the fixed extend.

Banjo fitting

Comprises a hollow bolt and spherical union for fluid transfer. They are commonly

found in automotive fuel, oil and hydraulic systems. The pipe connected may be

either rigid or a flexible hose.

Bleeder screw
Is a device used to create a temporary opening in an otherwise closed hydraulic

system, which facilitates the removal of air or another substance from the system by

way of pressure and density differences.

Dust boots

To protect the piston and seal from road debris and water.

Piston Seal

The one function of the piston seal is to stop brake fluid from leaking out of the

caliper. The other function of the piston seal is to pull the piston back and therefore

release the brakes. The brake fluid under pressure forces the piston to slide

out of the caliper.

\
Piston

A single piston and the caliper body or mount to provide clamping force to the pads

and rotor.

Types of Disc Brakes


Fixed Caliper

Rigidly mounted over the rotor and do not slide or move when the brakes are applied.

This type of design requires pistons on both sides of the rotor to apply pads.

It has one or more pistons mounted on each side of the rotor.

When the brakes are applied, only the caliper pistons move, pressing the brake pads

against the disc.

Floating Caliper Type Disc Brake

Also called sliding calipers, is the most common type. It has one or two pistons.
These are mounted on slides that allow the caliper to move in and out sideways when

the brake are applied then released. Calipers are typically have a single piston

located on the inboard side of the caliper.

REAR CALIPER PARKING BRAKE

Advantages and Disadvantages of Disc Brake

ADVANTAGES

Lighter than Drum brakes

Better Cooling (braking surface is directly exposed to air)

Better resistance to fade

Replacement of brake pads are easy

Self-adjusting brakes

DISADVANTAGES

Expensive than drum brakes

Higher pedal pressure is required (installed with vacuum booster)

Difficult to attach a suitable parking attachment

Type of Vehicles using Floating Caliper type Disk Brake

Hond Civic 1998 lxi

Ford Ranger
Kawasaki Dominar 2019
Toyota Hiace ZL

Type of Vehicles using Fix Caliper type Disk Brake

4. HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM

A system of fluid-filled pipes that can multiply force and transmit it easily from one

place to another.

Who invented hydraulic brakes?

Malcolm Loughead of Detroit, Michigan invented "fluid-operated" (hydraulic) brakes in

1919. It uses the momentum (moving power) of the car to provide the force that

pushes the hydraulic piston into the cylinder, giving a kind of power-assisted

braking. Loughead and his brother Allan were airplane pioneers and the founders
of the Lockheed Corporation (originally known as the Loughead Aircraft

Manufacturing Company).

Hydraulic Brake System Principles

• Fluids cannot be compress

• Fluids can transmit movement

• Acts "like a steel rod" in a close container.

• Master cylinder transmits fluid to wheel cylinder or caliper piston bore.

• Fluids can transmit and increase force

PRESSURE=FORCE/AREA

Brake Fluid

The fluid through which energy is passed in the hydraulic brake system

Properties of Brake Fluid

• Does not thicken or then with changing heat

• Must not boil.

• Must be compatible with brake parts material.

• Must lubricate internal parts.

• Must not evaporate easily.

Basis of Hydraulic Braking System

1. Frictional Contact Mechanism

A. Drum Brake

Parts of Hydraulic Drum Brake

• Brake pedal/brake lever

• Master cylinder

• Brake fluid reservoir

• Brake lines

• Drum cylinder

• Brake drum
B. Disc Brake

Parts of Hydraulic Disc Brake

• Brake pedal/brake lever

• Master cylinder

• Brake fluid reservoir

• Brake lines

• Disc rotor

• Disc caliper
Brake pedal or Brake lever

In hydraulic braking system same as other braking brake pedal or brake lever is

required by the driver to apply braking, this brake pedal or brake lever is attached

with the master cylinder through mechanical rod or connecting rod.

Master Cylinder

It is the simple cylinder and piston arrangement which converts the mechanical

force from the brake pedal into the hydraulic pressure.

Brake fluid reservoir

It is the simple reservoir tank containing brake fluid which is connected to the master

cylinder with the help of brake hose.

Brake lines

They are the hollow high pressure metal tube that connects the master cylinder with

the drum cylinder inside these brake lines high pressure brake fluid from the master

cylinder flows which is responsible for further brake actuation.

Brake Drum

It is housing of drum cylinder, brake shoes and spring, the outer part of the drum
rotates with the wheel and inner part consisting the brake shoe and cylinder remains

stationary.

Drum Cylinder

It is the cylinder fitted inside the drum of the drum brakes and is connected with the

brake shoes, the high pressure brake fluid from the brake lines comes to this cylinder

Brake booster

Is a brake safety component that is coupled at intermediate position between brake

pedal and brake master cylinder.

Constructional Details:

1. Shafts or Booster Shafts

a. Primary shaft

b. Secondary shaft

2. Valves

a. Atmospheric valve
b. Vacuum valve or one way valve

3. Springs

a. Primary spring

b. Secondary spring

4. Diaphragm

5. Body

Proportioning valve

A vehicle's brake system provides a way to control how much and when brake

pressure is applied to each axle set of the brake system.

2. Brake Force Distribution

A. Single Acting Hydraulic Brakes

In single acting type of hydraulic brakes, simple single cylinder type of master

cylinder is used which provides limited hydraulic pressure which can only be

transferred in single direction.

B. Double Acting Hydraulic Brakes

In double acting type of hydraulic brakes, double or tandem master cylinder is used

which provides higher brake force which can be transferred in double direction.

5. POWER BRAKES

What are power brakes?

Power-assisted brakes are also referred to, by some, as power brakes.

Power-assisted brakes are designed to use the power of the engine to increase
braking power. Power assisted brakes can use vacuum or hydraulic assistance to

reduce the driver’s pedal effort.

Vacuum Assist

In a vacuum-assisted brake system, a vacuum booster is used. A vacuum

booster needs a vacuum source to operate. In gasoline-powered cars, the engine

provides a vacuum suitable for the boosters. In the case of diesel engines, vacuum

is not produced, thus, a separate vacuum pump is used.

Hydraulic Assist

Almost the same as the vacuum assist, except that it uses a hydro booster as

assistance in power braking.

A hydro boost unit is located between the firewall and the master cylinder,

just like a vacuum booster. It has hydraulic lines leading from the power steering

pump to the power steering gear, much like the lines incorporated into the power

steering system.
8. SYSTEM

- Is to visualize to the brakes are applied to the wheels on separate lines carrying a

special hydraulic fluid.

- This is safer than undivided brake systems because this is divided by two lines

Types:
Front and Rear Braking System

o Is another name to the H-split braking system

o Is less desirable when the vehicle is less expected to be hauling loads because if

the front system fails the remaining rear system may be inadequate to safely stop the

vehicle.

o This costs less than the Diagonal Split.


Diagonal Braking System

o Is another name to the x-split braking system

o Preferred in most modern automobiles and light trucks.

o In this system, the master cylinder has two outlets which are connected to two

brake lines carrying brake fluid.

o As it connects wheels in diagonal position.

o Diagonal system is much better than Front and Rear Braking System because if the
rear brake fails, you still have the brake control on the other rear wheels.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Split-Hydraulic System

ADVANTAGES

A split system is safer in the event of partial failure.

Fluid loss in one half of the systems still leaves the other half able to stop the

vehicle, although with an increase in the stopping distance.


Equal braking effort to all the four wheels.

DISADVANTAGES

Even slight leakage of air into the braking system makes it useless.

The brake shoes are liable to get ruined if the brake fluid leaks out.

9. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS

- Is used in advanced automobiles to prevent slip and locking of wheel after brakes

applied.

- It will help you to control the steering wheel during braking.

Four Major Components:

1. Speed Sensor

- This sensor monitors the speed of each wheel and determines the necessary

acceleration and deceleration of the wheels.

2. Valves

- The valves regulate the air pressure to the brakes during the ABS action.

- The brake valves controls the pressure that is being transferred to the brakes from

the master cylinder.

3. Electronic Control Unit

- Is an electronic control unit that receives, amplifies and filters the sensor

signals for calculating the wheel rotational speed and acceleration

- It receives a signal from the sensors in the circuit and controls the brake

pressure, according to the data that is analyzed by the unit.

4. Hydraulic Control Unit

- It receives signals from the ECU to apply or release the brakes under the

anti-lock conditions.

- It controls the brakes by increasing the hydraulic pressure or bypassing the

pedal force to reduce the braking power.

Types of Anti-lock Braking System

1. Four-channel, four-sensor ABS

- There is a speed sensor on all four wheels and a separate valves for all four wheels.

- This is the best combination for an effective ABS system.

2. Three-channel, three-sensor ABS

- Commonly found on pickup trucks, has a speed sensor and a valve for each

of the front wheels, along with one valve and one sensor for both rear wheels.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Anti-lock Brake System

ADVANTAGES

It prevents the locking of the wheel and thus eliminates the chance of skidding.

The skidding of the vehicle is completely removed, which results in excellent control

during breaking.

A better steering control is obtained with the ABS system.

It reduces the chance of collision by 30%

DISADVANTAGE

- A vehicle equipped with ABS is costlier as compared with a vehicle without ABS.

Cars installed with Anti-lock Brake System

TOYOTA HILUX 2016

MAHINDRA xuv500

8. AIR BRAKE SYSTEM

An Air Brake is a type of friction brake for vehicles in which compressed air pressing
on a piston used to apply the pressure to the brake pad needed to stop the vehicle.

Application of Air Brake System

Trucks Bus

How does Air Brake System works?

1. The working of Air Brakes starts with the air compressor. It is the main

component of the whole system. Air compressor directly powered by the engine. It

compresses the atmospheric air and then transfers it into the storage tank.

2. Air firstly passes through the air filter and dryer before entering into the storage

tank. Air filter removes the dust particles from the air, and dryer removes moisture

content from the air.

3. The main working of the braking system starts when the passenger sitting
In the vehicle presses the brake pedal, which is directly attached with the

actuators having a piston-cylinder arrangement.

4. After pressing the pedal, piston compresses the air due to this pressure in the

assembly increases. The outlet port of the triple valve is closed this time and inlet

port opens after that compressed air from the reservoir enters into the braking lines.

Components of Air Brake System

1. Air Compressor - Is the main part of any Air Brake System.

- Powered by the engine using belt drives.

- It comprises the atmospheric air up to the desired pressure and transfers it to the

storage tank.
2. Storage Tank
- It stores the compressed atmospheric air at high pressure.

- Also a necessary part of the Air Brake System because compressed air is

responsible for the whole operation.

- Breaks can be applied several times during running of an automobile, so compressor

alone is not able to perform this tasks that’s why air

storage reservoir required.

3. Brake Pedal

- Is the input to the brake mechanism.

- Operated by the driver inside the automobile.

- The brake pedal itself, is a kind of mechanical linkage which transfers input motion

to the further mechanism and initiate the brake application.

4. Safety Valve

- A safety component which is attached to the air storage tank.

- Air is released by the safety valve when the air pressure reaches a certain value.
- It prevents the bursting of the tank due to excessive pressure because air compressor

works continuously and supplies compressed air to the tank.

5. Air Filter and Dryer

- Are the two major components which are used before the air enters into the air

compressor.

- It is necessary that only dry air enters into the air compressor because moisture

content will lead to failure of braking system due to the condensation of the

water particles.

- As the name implies air filter is used to remove the dust particle from the

atmospheric air whereas dryer removes the moisture and humidity from the inlet air.
6. Dirt Collector

- Is a small device used before the triple valve.

- Used to collect the dirt particles separated by the air filter.

7. Brake Drums

- The part which execute the brakes.

- It is the last part of the assembly.

- It is mounted on the tires of the automobiles.

8. Breaking Lines

- Also known as the “Supply Lines”.

- The transfer of compressed air from the reservoir to brake drum is done by this part
only.

9. Triple Valve

- Is responsible for the whole operation in air brakes.

- To apply and release the brake, a continuous apply and releasing which is done by

Triple valve.
Advantages and Disadvantage of Air Brake System

ADVANTAGES

Since air brakes are used as an alternative to Hydraulic Brakes, which are used in

lighter vehicles such as automobiles. Hydraulic breaks use liquid (hydraulic

fluid to be specific) to transfer pressure from the brake pedal to the brake shoe

to stop the vehicle. Air brakes are used in heavy commercial vehicles due to their

reliability. They have several advantages for large multi-trailer vehicles:

• The brake system can never run out of its operating fluid

• It can serve to control the force applied.

• Air Brakes are effective even with considerable leakage.

DISADVANTAGES

• Air Brakes generally cost more

• Can contribute to higher maintenance and repair costs.

Problems and Troubleshooting of Brake System


Low/Spongy Brake Pedal

Possible Cause/s

• Insufficient brake fluid in the master cylinder.

• The brake lines may have contaminants like air in them.

• Not have been bled properly.

Prevention:
• Always ensure that a qualified brake fitter services your brakes.

• Make sure that you fill the master cylinder with approved brake fluid to the
appropriate level and bleed your brake lines before use.

High Pedal Force

Possible Cause/s:

• Brakes when subjected to undue heat stress may glaze and become inefficient.

• Brake pads may simply be worn out.

• Calipers or wheel cylinders may have become clogged and need cleaning or

replacing.

• The brake booster could be faulty and need repairs or service.

Prevention:

• Use your brakes carefully, not overusing them or avoiding excessive braking to

preserve your brakes.

• Regular service and use of quality brake pads, brake fluid, brake cleaner

and lubricant will extend and preserve your brakes.

Brake Drag

Possible Cause/s:

• Brakes may be adjusted too tightly.

• The master cylinder by-pass port may have become clogged by contaminants.

• The pedal return springs may be worn and need replacing.

• Backing plates may have become distorted from excessive force and overheating.

• Wheel cylinder may have become sticky and need repairing.

Prevention:

• Ensure that brakes are adjusted properly and are not too tight.
• Regular service and cleaning will prevent brakes from deteriorating,

cleaning the brakes with quality cleaner and a brake lubricant will also extend the life

of brakes.

Brake Pull

Possible Cause/s:

• Contaminated pads and linings, mismatched brake materials such as pads or brake

linings.

• A faulty caliper pad alignment or uneven adjusting ofpads or even a seized caliper

may be at fault.

Prevention:

• Keep your brakes clean and serviced.

• Make sure that you are fitting the appropriate pad or lining.

• Check that your brake system is properly and evenly adjusted will ensure smoother

acting brakes.

Brake Grab

Possible Cause/s:

• Contamination of brakes with brake dust, grease or fluids.

• Misalignment of brake calipers, loose brake mounting bolts or seized caliper pistons

and slides may cause the fault.

• Check brake lines and hoses are not collapsed, clogged, kinked or pinched.

Prevention:

• Correct fitting of brake parts and maintenance will ensure that your brakes function

as expected.
• Be sure to fit the right pads correctly and firmly to the calipers as well as

linking to their assemblies.

• Check that your brakes are not contaminated, lines and hoses are free of

obstruction.

• Always use high quality brake cleaner, lubricant, brake fluid.


Brake Noise

Possible Cause/s:

• Damage to the brake pads or lining, damage to the brake drum and damage to the

springs can all produce brake noise.

• Too much lateral run out and faulty caliper alignment may also contribute to

excessive brake noise.

Prevention:

• Take your vehicle to a brake specialist as soon as you hear any undue noise

from your brake system.


Vibration

Possible Cause/s:

• Both rotor run out and parallelism can cause the vibration under braking.

• Wheels out of balance and alignment.

• Wear and faults in steering components.

Prevention:

• Ensure that brake pads are fitted properly and that all components are

fitted to specification will keep the rotor from suffering undue and uneven wear.

• Regular service will identify problems and often stop these problems before they
become apparent.

Brake Wear

Possible Cause/s:

• Abnormal brake wear occurs when the wrong type of pad or lining is fitted or the

rotor surface is rough.

• Caliper pistons or pins seized up.

Prevention:

• Choose the right pad is as important for its durability as it is to safety.

• Regular maintenance of your vehicle`s braking system is essential for its

integrity and longevity.

Maintenance of the Brake System

1. Verify whenever possible the power of braking of each of the four wheels

with a brake meter/brake tester.

2. Keep the indicated level of brake fluid. Check it often, and replace every

two years or 50,000 miles.

3. Be sure to review each time the status of brake pads. Their average life is

25.000 km.

4. You must change the brake shoe (or a shoe or a brake block) for every four

changes of brake pads or so.

5. Check to see their headlights and brake lights are working.

6. Regular Maintenance.
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAKE SYSTEM

Here are five keys to brake maintenance that will help you stay safe on the roads:

Check Brake Pads and Rotors

The brake pads and rotors are the point of contact between your braking system and

your tires. These elements deteriorate more easily than other components and

require more frequent maintenance. Friction between the tires and the brake pads

cause heat, and this heat wears down the brake pad. It is important to inspect the

quality and depth of the pads to make sure there is sufficient resistance.

If you notice you need to depress your brake pedal further or smell a burning odor, or

the distance it takes to stop increases drastically, it may be time to check and

replace your brake pads and rotors. To check your brake pads and rotors at home, you

need only remove the tire to assess the wear. If you notice wear or damage, replace

them immediately, or take them to an auto shop for a disc brake repair service.

Flush Your Brake Fluid

When you depress your brake pedal, pressure builds and is transferred through the

brake fluid from the master cylinder, through the brake lines, and into the calipers,

which transfer this pressure to the brake pads and rotors. Brake fluid is, therefore,

extremely important because it is the messenger between you and your car’s braking

system.

Unfortunately, brake fluid attracts moisture, which can be highly damaging

to your braking system. Moisture in the brake fluid causes corrosion of the metal

components of the brakes and reduces the boiling point of the fluid and affects

the effectiveness of the brakes.

Brake fluid should be checked and changed every 25,000 miles. A cloudy or

milky quality indicates the fluid must be changed.

Bleed the Brake Lines

In addition to flushing the brake lines to change the brake fluid, it is also

a good idea to bleed the brake line to remove excess air. When small amounts of

air become trapped inside the brake line, it can reduce the efficacy of the braking

system.

Bleeding the system removes the air from the brake line by depressing the brake

pedal while adjusting the bleeder valve, and this should be done every 2– 3

years. This can be completed during a scheduled brake inspection service.

Repair or Upgrade Brake Pads

Sometimes it may be necessary to replace some elements in your braking

system, and this can be a good opportunity to upgrade to higher performance or

specialized components. Parts such as slotted disc brakes which are more heat

resistant or switching to ceramic pads, which are quieter and produce less brake dust,

are popular upgrades.

Upgrading and replacing brake parts when necessary will improve the longevity

and performance of your vehicle’s braking system.

Braking System Care

One of the most effective ways to ensure the performance of your brakes is

to look after them. There are many external factors that contribute to brake

deterioration, such as:


Carrying too much weight

Unnecessary, late, or heavy braking

Wet weather

Avoiding these, and other situations that can affect your braking

performance where possible, will keep your brakes performing better for longer

and reduce the likelihood of brake failure related incidents.

Final Thoughts

Your brakes are your safety on the road, and ensuring your brakes are in

perfect working order is essential to protect yourself and your passengers, as well

as those around you. Maintain all braking components and avoiding hazardous

driving practices will guarantee your brakes function efficiently.

How to Troubleshoot Brake Problems

To check for brake problems, you step on the pedal and press it down

while paying attention to how the pedal feels under your foot and evaluating the

sensation. The following steps tell you what to feel for.

Start your engine, but keep it in Park with the parking brake on. (If your

vehicle doesn’t have power brakes, it’s okay to do this check with the engine off.)

1. With the vehicle at rest, apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.

Does it feel spongy? If so, you probably have air in your brake lines.

Correcting this problem isn’t difficult; unless your brakes have ABS or other

sophisticated brake systems, you can probably do the job yourself with the help

of a friend.

Does the pedal stay firm when you continue applying pressure, or does it

seem to sink slowly to the floor? If the pedal sinks, your master cylinder may be
defective, and that’s unsafe.

2. Release the parking brake and drive around the block, stopping every now and
then.

Notice how much effort is required to bring your vehicle to a stop. With

power brakes, the pedal should stop 1 to 1-1⁄2 inches from the floor. (If you don’t

have power brakes, the pedal should stop more than 3 inches from the floor.)

If your vehicle has power brakes and stopping seems to take excessive effort, you

may need to have the power booster replaced.

3. If you feel that your brakes are low, pump the brake pedal a couple of

times as you drive around.

If pumping the pedal makes the car stop when the pedal’s higher up, either

a brake adjustment is in order or you need more brake fluid.

If the level of brake fluid in the master cylinder is low, buy the proper

brake fluid for your vehicle and add fluid to the “Full” line on your master

cylinder. Check the fluid level in the cylinder again in a few days.

If you find that you’re not low on fluid, drive carefully to a service facility

and ask them to remedy the situation. When they’ve worked their magic, the

pedal shouldn’t travel down as far before your vehicle stops.

As you drive around, notice how your total brake system performs, and ask

yourself these questions:


Does the vehicle travel too far before coming to a stop in city traffic? If

it does, either your brakes need adjusting or you need new brake linings.

Does the vehicle pull to one side when you brake? On vehicles with front

disc brakes, a stuck caliper and brake fluid leak can cause this problem.
Does your brake pedal pulsate up and down when you stop in a nonemergency

situation?

A pulsating brake pedal usually is caused by excessive lateral run-out, which can

happen because your brakes are overheating from overuse.


Does your steering wheel shake when you brake? If it does and you have

disc brakes, your front brake discs need to be professionally machined or

replaced.

Do your brakes squeal when you stop fairly short? The squealing is a highpitched

noise usually caused by vibration. Squealing can occur when the

brake linings are worn and need replacement, the brake drum or disc needs

to be machined, the front disc brake pads are loose or missing their antirattle

clips, the hardware that attaches the brake calipers is worn, or

inferior brake linings are in use.


Do your brakes make a grinding noise that you can feel in the pedal? If

so, stop driving immediately and have your vehicle towed to a brake repair

shop. Further driving could damage the brake discs or drums. Grinding

brakes are caused by excessively worn brake linings; when the lining wears

off, the metal part of the brake pad or brake shoe contacts the brake disc

or drum and can quickly ruin the most expensive mechanical parts of the

brake system.

Does your vehicle bounce up and down when you stop short? Your shock

absorbers may need to be replaced.