For this reason, vehicle owners have to provide proper maintenance to keep the brake system working. If a brake pad, hose or calliper is faulty, then it is necessary to replace it. A clear comprehension of how the different parts in the brake network are connected goes a long way when it comes to taking care of your car.

How a vehicle braking system works

Anything in motion has kinetic energy, which increases with the speed and weight of the object. To stop, you have to eliminate all that energy. An automotive braking system achieves this by converting it into heat. The system has a pedal, which is the contact point for the driver. When you step on this, a lever triggers the cylinder holding the brake fluid, which is deposited into the callipers. This movement forces the brake pads to engage, resulting in pressure that falls on the rotors thereby, generating friction that halts the vehicle. This hydraulic system is able to capitalise on the pressure from the foot and turn it into sufficient force to stop the car.

What are the differences between Brake Discs and Drum Brakes

Drum and disc braking mechanisms are the two types that are fitted into vehicles. Some automakers have disc braking on the front wheels and drum in the rear. Others have disc braking on all wheels. With a disc brake, the system contains a metal disc that is visible through the front wheels. This disc turns with every movement of the wheel. A calliper, hydraulic pistons and a pad are also included in the system. Pressing the brake pedal causes the calliper to apply pressure on the pad through the pistons. As this pad rubs against the disc, the friction allows the pistons to slow the disc by clamping on it. There are no return springs, so when you release the brake, the Pistons have to move a small distance to their original resting place. The pistons are also fitted with rubber rings that make it possible for them to slip forward over time to compensate for the wearing down of the pads. By doing this, the distance between the pads and the pistons remains consistent.

All Disc Braking Systems

An all-disc system is a common feature for performance car brakes and luxury vehicles due to their efficiency. For one, they dissipate heat better than a drum braking system. They also have a long lasting break fade. It means that they lose their effectiveness during hard stops at a slower rate than drum braking.

Drum Braking Systems

In a drum system, a drum and brake shoes work together to generate friction and slow down the car. The drum is hollow with two shoes fitted inside with a stationary backplate covering the back section. Hydraulic pistons in the wheel cylinder apply pressure to the shoes, forcing them outward. The curved shoes have friction linings that force against the drum when the shoes move outwards, causing it to stop. One end of a brake shoe has a pivot while the other has a piston. The shoes in a drum system are not always the same. There is the leading shoe, where the piston is at the leading edge. When the drum turns, the leading shoe makes contact and moves towards the drum, which improves braking. The other type is the trailing shoes, which has the pivot located at the front. A drum system can have leading and trailing shoes while others have a pair of leading shoes. With a twin-leading system, each shoe has a hydraulic cylinder while a leading-trailing design has a single cylinder. A leading and trailing combination is more powerful and is commonly used in the rear. Unlike a disc brake, a drum system has return springs that allow the shoes to bounce back when the driver releases the brakes. Drum braking systems are simpler in design than discs thus, making them cheaper to produce. A drum brake can be pneumatic, mechanic or hydraulic. The braking system of your vehicle has various threats to deal with, but heat is the most brutal. Pressing on brakes constantly, in addition to the hydraulic process that is necessary to generate friction, means that they get worn out over time. You can replace some of the components of the system such as the pedal, pads and pistons. Callipers need replacing when they start leaking. Piston seals can also suffer damage with prolonged use. Of course, the system relies on good quality brake fluid to facilitate the conversion of energy into heat. Brake rotors, calliper pins and brake shoes are other components that need regular inspections to ensure optimal performance.