Brake Servicing - Brake Discs - Brake Drums - Hydraulic Brake Pipes - Hand Brakes

BRAKING SYSTEM

Car braking systems rely on brake pipes using hydraulic pressure to transmit stopping power from the brake pedal via a master and slave cylinder system to the disc or drum brakes.

Master Cylinder - Slave Cylinder

The Master Cylinder holds a reservoir of hydraulic fluid in a piston operated by the brake pedal. As the brake pedal is depressed during braking; the hydraulic brake fluid pressure increases. Fluid is pumped from the master cylinder into the brake pipes. The increased pressure forces the slave cylinder piston chamber to expand forcing high friction brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc. As the brake pad and brake drum or brake disc surfaces are forced together friction slows down or stops the vehicle.

Drum Brakes

Drum Brakes are normally used on car rear wheels. They were used before disc brakes became popular.
Drum Brakes have two half moon shaped brake shoes that are forced outwards against the inner wall of a brake drum during braking operation.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes use pair of brake pads made from a high friction, hard wearing material mounted in a caliper that fits either side of a brake disc.
Braking pressure pumps hydraulic fluid into the slave cylinder. The slave cylinder-brake linkage actuates the brake calliper; pressing the brake pads against the brake disc and increasing friction for stopping.

Servo Assisted Brakes

When the engine is running, the manifold vaccuum is used to operate a servo unit that magnifies the force applied to the brake pedal

ABS - Anti Lock Braking System

Wheel sensors detect the onset of wheel lock.
The computer controlled ABS monitors the point when the wheels are likely to lock; causing skidding, and reduce brake pressure to prevent the wheels from locking. The main purpose of ABS is to maintain steering control. Stopping distance is not reduced.

Brakes - Brake Servicing and Routine Brake Maintenance

Brakes will operate safely for many thousands of miles. Have your braking system; Discs, pads, pipes and hydraulic fluid inspected-serviced-replaced regularly to maintain function vehicle safety. Your life depends on it.
Depending upon the type of brake service, brake inspection includes:-

• Brake Pads - Correct brake pad movement and amount of wear
• Brake Discs - General brake disc condition
• Brake Drums - Brake drum condition
• Brake Callipers - Correct brake calliper operation
• Slave Cylinders - Cylinder condition
• Hydraulic Pipes - Brake pipe Condition

Brake Fittings Inspection

• Hydraulic Brake - pipe fittings
• Hydraulic Brakes - joints for corrosion and leaking
• Hand Brakes - linkage condition
• Handbrakes - function and travel
• Handbrake - Auxiliary shoes where fitted
• ABS - ABS warning light operation

Brake Adjustments

Top Up Brake and Clutch Fluid Levels
Replace Brake Fluid if necessary: Brake fluids are hygroscopic - They absorb water from the atmosphere. This lowers brake fluid boiling point and runs the risk of creating steam in the brake lines during heavy braking as the friction of the brake pads generates heat. Steam/Air in the break lines will compress rather than transfer braking force so braking effectiveness is greatly reduced

Adjust handbrake, Lubricate Hand Brake Linkages, Clean & remove brake dust, loose corrosion & dirt from brake drums.

Newcastle - Gateshead - Sunderland - Durham - Auto Repair Centre