Repair and Replace Common Brake Parts
Brakes in your vehicle are composed of two systems: hydraulics and friction materials. Here are common brake parts that we diagnose and repair.
Types of Brakes
Disc brakes consist of a rotor attached to the wheel and a caliper that holds brake pads. Hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder causes the caliper to clamp the rotor between the pads. This creates the friction required to slow down or stop your car.
Drum brakes consist of a drum attached to the wheel, cylinder, shoes and return springs. Hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder causes the cylinder to press the brake shoes against the drum to slow or stop your car.
Parking brakes use cables to mechanically apply the brakes. This is used to prevent the car from rolling when not being driven.
Anti-Lock Brakes: A System Built For Safety
Computer-controlled anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are a recently developed safety feature. When sudden stops are made, the ABS prevents wheel lock-up.
The system is comprised of wheel-speed sensors that monitor wheel rotation, computer-controlled hydraulics that pulse the brakes on and off rapidly, and the on-board computer.