How Brakes Work: A Comprehensive Guide to Braking Systems
1.
2.
3. The brake rotor (disc) which rotates with the
wheel, is clamped by brake pads (friction
material) fitted to the caliper from both sides
with pressure from the piston(s) (pressure
mechanism) and decelerates the disc rotation,
thereby slowing down and stopping the vehicle.
4.
5.
6. One brake drum provides a friction pair that slows
the wheel’s rotation with the brake shoe. The
brake drum is also responsible for collecting and
releasing heat generated while braking. This is
especially significant as the friction between the
braking drum and the brake shoe lining decreases
as the temperature rises.
7.
8. The pressure from your foot on the brake pedal is
transferred to the brakes via the brake lines. This
system uses brake fluid to apply pressure onto your
brake calipers, applying friction to the rotor with
brake pads. The slowing and then stopping of the
car occurs when the calipers clamp down on the
brakes
9.
10. The hose’s job 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
11.
12. The brake master cylinder, also known as the master
cylinder, is a hydraulic pump. It feeds brake fluid into
the brake circuit to convert the pressure on the brake
pedal to the hydraulic pressure.
13.
14. If your brake fluid is at or above the “MIN” line, your
brake fluid level is fine and you don’t need to add any.
If your fluid is below the “MIN” line, carefully pry the
reservoir cap off, and then add brake fluid until the
level is just under the “MAX” line. Do not overfill.
15.
16. A vacuum brake booster is the most common type of
brake booster. It uses the gas-powered engine’s
vacuum to increase the pressure used on the brake
pedal. The hydraulic brake booster uses direct
hydraulic pressure. Instead of generating power
from the vacuum pressure, it relies on energy from
the power steering pump.
17.
18. When your car’s brake warning light comes on, it tells
you something is wrong with the braking system; it
can’t be put off or ignored until later—the price for
doing so could very expensive and very dangerous.
When this light comes on, it means one of two things.
Either the hydraulic fluid (brake fluid) in the master
cylinder is low, or the parking brake is engaged
19.
20. Most combination valves perform 3 functions: The
Proportioning Valve keeps the rear brakes from
locking up during a panic stop. The Metering Valve
delays the front brakes long enough for the fluid
pressure to overcome the rear brake return springs. A
pressure switch sends an electrical signal.
21.
22. Wheel hubs are a cast or machined metal part,
found between the vehicle’s suspension and the
wheel. Hubs connect the axle to the wheel and
allow the wheel to spin smoothly with the help of
a bearing. A hub has a wheel flange on one end
for mounting the brake rotor or brake drum and
the wheel.
23.
24. The brake pedal is the pedal that you press with your
foot in order to make a vehicle go slower or stop.
When the driver puts his foot on the brake pedal, the
system automatically applies the optimum pressure
required to avoid hitting the car in front
25.
26. A parking brake, also called an emergency brake or e-
brake, is a mechanical hand lever or foot-operated
brake that is a backup braking system. It is located
either between the front two seats or to the left of
your gas and brake pedal.
27.
28. The adjuster has threads on it, like a bolt, so
that it unscrews a little bit when it turns,
lengthening to fill in the gap. When the brake
shoes wear a little more, the adjuster can
advance again, so it always keeps the shoes
close to the drum.
29.
30. Parking brakes are completely mechanical and use
only cables and levers to operate. When a parking
brake lever is pulled (or when a parking brake pedal
is pushed), these cables transmit the necessary force
to keep your vehicle in place or to stop the vehicle.
