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Finding the Best in Auto Parts:

Buying Brakes and Brake Accessories:  Drums, Rotors, Pads, Shoes, Hydraulics

The Most Common Brake System

The most common brake system is made up of disk brakes in the front and either disk or drum brakes in the rear.  Tubes and hoses to the master cylinder and also to the parking brake and anti-lock system connect to the braking units at each wheel. 

When the brake pedal is pushed down it pushes a plunger in the master cylinder and forces brake fluid through the tubes and hoses to the braking units.

With a disk brake, the fluid from the master cylinder is pushed into a caliper where it presses against a piston.  The piston squeezes the two brake pads against the rotor, which is attached to the wheel causing it to slow down or stop.  Drum brakes are different because when the fluid is pushed into the wheel cylinder, it pushes the brake shoes out so the friction on the linings are pressed against the drum in the wheel that causes it to stop.

A Closer Look at Your Brakes

A disk rotor is made of iron with a machined surface where the brake pads make contact with it.  Just like brake pads, the rotor gets a lot of wear and that wear can form ridges and groves in the machined surface where the brake pads rub against it.  Generally when the brake pads are replaced the rotors, if they show any grooves or wear, will need to be machined smooth to allow the new brake pads to operate properly.  Since only a small portion of the rotor can actually be machined off, if a person goes to long driving with bad brakes, they will need to replace the rotors because they can no longer be salvaged.

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes consist of a backing plate, brake shoes, brake drum, wheel cylinder, return springs and a self-adjusting system.  When the brakes are applied the brake fluid is pushed into the wheel cylinder and in turn pushes the brake shoes into contact with the surface of the inside of the drum.  Then when the pressure is released, the springs pull the shoes back to their original position.  When the brake linings wear, the shoes have to travel further to reach the drum and this is where the self-adjusting system does its job. Like with disk pads, the brake shoes and linings will wear out and must be replaced.

Purchasing Auto Parts, Brake Parts and Getting the Service You Need

If you need to have your brakes repaired you may want to contact the dealership in which you purchased your vehicle or go to any automotive repair shop because most of them are familiar with repairing brakes.