The braking system in a modern car is comprised of many different components that work together to bring your vehicle to a controlled stop when required. These components include a master cylinder, brake fluid, hoses, calipers, brake pads, rotors, drums, and brake shoes.
Vehicles are now fitted with either a brake rotor system across all four wheels or may come with rotors at the front (where much of the braking work is done) and drum brakes at the rear.
BRAKE DISCS/ROTORS
Modern vehicles generally come with brake rotors – at least at the front. These are large, rotating, circular metal plates fitted into the wheel hub. When the brake pedal is engaged, calipers that sit at the rotors squeeze together and force brake pads against them, slowing down the vehicle.
BRAKE DRUMS
Brake drums are an alternative (and much older in design) system. The ‘drum’ sits at the wheel hub and spins along with the wheel. When the brake pedal is engaged, a system of pistons forces curved brake shoes against the inside of the drum to slow down the vehicle.
That’s the basics of the two brake systems at the wheels but leading up to this point of difference the braking system as a whole works on the same principle – through hydraulic pressure.
When the brake pedal is depressed, brake fluid hydraulic pressure is built up in the master cylinder that sits within the engine bay. This hydraulic pressure is transferred through a series of hoses to the brake calipers or pistons located at each wheel, which then engage the brake pads or shoes. It’s that simple.
It is also worth nothing that most modern vehicles now use an Anti-lock Braking System, commonly known as ABS.
ABS is designed to prevent the locking of the wheels, and to keep the vehicle’s tyres in decent contact and traction with the road, when brakes are used. It does this by modifying the fluid pressure being applied to the brakes and does so independently of the pressure being applied to the brake pedal by the driver. This very quick increase and decrease of pressure allows the vehicle to remain under the control of the driver while braking performance remains high.
The braking system is vital to your vehicle performing safely and reliably. Should you have any concerns, you should have the system examined and repaired by a qualified technician.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
MTA Queensland’s Vehicle Maintenance course is designed for those who are interested in gaining valuable information and learning good practices for everyday vehicle use. The result: a safer journey with fewer breakdowns and repairs. If you have ever wanted to learn how to carry out preventative maintenance, then this course is for you.
19 November 2019
Please note the information contained on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your specific needs or circumstances. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice.