Have you ever wondered how your car's braking system works and how it can effectively stop a very heavy vehicle through a relatively light application on the foot pedal? Most vehicles are equipped with some form of assistance to make sure that the car can be stopped very efficiently but each system will require its fair share of maintenance from time to time and it's a good idea for each driver to be aware of how it all works. What do you need to know?
How Does the Magic Happen?
The impressive efficiency of a typical braking system is down to two different factors, one of which is a "master cylinder" that is able to augment the power of your right foot and the other is the hydraulic fluid that flows within the system, which is especially made for the purpose.
The master cylinder is a small enclosed chamber that sits in the engine bay and near to the bottom end of the brake pedal. Within the chamber, there is a large piston that is held in place by locking rings and which will sit in between valves that open and close access to the hydraulic fluid reservoir. Most of the parts within this chamber are built to last, but the rubber seals in particular will wear down and could cause a fluid leakage if they fail.
When you apply pressure to the pedal this will activate the piston, which will force brake fluid forward and through a network of narrow pipes. This fluid will travel to all four corners of the car and as it cannot compress, will activate the same amount of power at the far end of the system as it does at the beginning. This will, in turn, push pistons at the brake caliper so that the internal friction pads rub against the brake discs. The brake discs are connected to the road wheels and as they slow down, so does the car. Within this part of the system, the friction pads are replaceable and will also wear down with time.
Serviceable Parts
To make sure that the whole system is well looked after, it's important to service and replace not just the brake pads, but also the hydraulic fluid that does the all-important work inside. From time to time, the master cylinder should also be dismantled and inspected to make sure that it is in good condition and to see whether the seals need to be replaced.
Taking a Look
If it's been some time since you scheduled such a visit, take the vehicle into a qualified brake repair mechanic for him or her to make this type of inspection.
Yo! My name is Max. Because of my love of cars, my friends call me Mad Max after the character from the classic 1980s film who drives those crazy cars around in a post-apocalyptic Australian landscape. My love of cars started when I was very young. I would spend hours sitting in the garage watching my dad working on his old Ford. As he worked, he would explain to me what he was doing. When I was older, I bought my own car and started to work on it myself so I could upgrade it. I used to visit the auto garage so I could get some advice and tips from the professionals. I hope you like my blog.