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BrakesNo one knows brakes better than Midas. And if you'd like to find out about them for yourself, be sure to review this section, which shows you the hardware, how they function and the potential problems to watch for. Few things are more fundamental to your car's safety than a fully functioning brake system. That's why auto service Midas recommends a thorough inspection every 12 months. Want more detail about your vehicle's brakes? Select a section below: Brake System: How it works -Your vehicle’s brake system has one job – stop your vehicle. But it takes several key components to deliver that singular end result.
To bring a vehicle to a halt, three things are necessary: leverage, hydraulic force and friction. Leverage is supplied by the driver’s leg pressure and the brake pedal. The pedal is connected by levers and rods to the back of the power booster. The power booster uses either engine vacuum or a hydraulic pump to multiply and transfer the force of that leverage to the master cylinder. The master cylinder is the heart of your vehicle’s brake hydraulic system. It uses applied leverage to force a reservoir full of brake fluid through valves, steel lines and rubber hoses into hydraulic calipers and wheel cylinders. That hydraulic pressure is then used to help create friction. For example, disc brakes use a hydraulic caliper fitted with brake pads to grab a spinning disc (or rotor). Drum brakes, on the other hand, have a hydraulic wheel cylinder that pushes a brake shoe against the inside of a spinning drum. Either design involves highly engineered parts and precise movement. The more force a driver applies to the brake pedal, the greater the stopping force that is applied at the wheels. In addition to this primary braking system, most of today’s vehicles utilize an electronic Anti-lock Brake System. Using electronic sensors and high pressure pumps, under certain conditions, your ABS system can measure vehicle speed, wheel slip and brake force. Then it actually pumps the brakes for you during an emergency stop. That’s why it’s essential to be proactive about testing overall brake components. And to know whether a brake component needs simply to be serviced or totally replaced. For brake maintenance and brake services, Trust the Midas Touch.
Appendix ABS Hydraulic Unit - Stores and applies hydraulic pressure while rapidly pumping the brakes during skids and panic stops. ABS (Speed) Sensor - Supplies information regarding wheel speed to the ABS computer, which controls the brakes - braking pressure and frequency... more... ABS Wiring - Electrical wiring connected to ABS system. Bleeder Screw - The valve used to vent the air out of a hydraulic brake system component. Brake Drum - A round cast-iron or aluminum housing that rotates around the brake shoes. Brake Pads - A metal plate and friction-material lining assembly used with disc brakes. Brake Pad Shim - A thin spacer installed between the brake pad and caliper to reduce vibration and brake noise. Brake Pedal - Foot pedal that moves a piston within the brake master cylinder. Brake Shoe - A metal plate and friction-material lining assembly used with drum brakes. Caliper Assembly - A hydraulically activated device in a disc brake system that applies pressure to piston(s) which force the brake pads against the rotor surface to help stop the vehicle. Disc Brakes - A hydraulic braking assembly consisting of a brake disc (rotor), brake pads and a caliper assembly activated by hydraulic pressure. Disc Brake Hardware - A system of bolts, springs, clips and rubber boots which secure brake pads and calipers. Disc Brake Rotor - The flat disk-like rotating plates that provide the friction surface in a disc brake. Drum - A round cast-iron or aluminum housing that rotates around the brake shoes. Drum Brakes - A type of brake system using brake shoes inside a drum-shaped metal cylinder which rotates within the wheel. Drum Brake Hardware - A combination of springs, pins and clips that attach brake shoes to their mounting points and retract the brake shoes away from the drum when the brakes are released. Electronic ABS Controller - Sends and receives electrical signals that control hydraulic valves and system warning lights. Hub/Bearing Assembly - A friction-reducing, supportive device that allows a wheel to rotate on an axle. Hydraulic Brake Hose - Flexible rubber (or synthetic) hose used to transmit brake fluid to hydraulic brake components. Hydraulic Fluid Line/Hose - A metal tube or rubber hose used to convey hydraulic fluid through the brake system. Master Cylinder - Hydraulic piston-type pump that develops pressure and distributes brake fluid throughout the braking system. Pad Wear Sensor - A device that electrically or mechanically detects the thickness of the brake pad and provides either an audible or visual warning when the pad thickness is near tolerance. Parking Brake - The hand or foot-operated mechanical brake assembly that prevents the vehicle from rolling or slipping when parked. Parking Brake Cables - A system of steel cables attached to arms on the brake shoes or calipers that force the shoes or pads against the drums or rotors to lock the brakes. Power Booster - Utilizing engine vacuum or hydraulic pressure, the power booster “helps” apply additional force to the brakes, reducing pedal effort. Rotor - The flat disk-like rotating plates that provide the friction surface in a disc brake system. Wheel Cylinder - A hydraulic device, with internal pistons, used in a drum brake assembly that pushes the brake shoes outward against the drum. Brake System: What to Watch for -When brakes need a mechanic's attention, they usually give certain warning signals. Common Signs of Wear
These conditions can cause longer stopping distances and difficult stopping in an emergency situation. Rotors and drums that are too thin may even become over-stressed and break. Remember, any time you notice any of these or other symptoms it's a good idea to have the brakes checked. In fact, we recommend that you have them inspected once a year. Rest assured, Midas has the proper diagnostic equipment, expertise, and quality brake part components for your vehicle makes and models. |
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