Braking System Basics

How Does It Do That?

Your vehicle needs to go, but it also needs to stop. There’s a system for that. Right? Yes, the braking system is your safety shield that stands between you and disaster. Yet, it isn’t a single entity. Rather, it’s a cooperating series of parts that work together. Proper function of the whole depends upon the integrity of each part, so keeping your transportation in good condition is important. You can rely on the ASE certified technicians at Mad Hatter Auto Repair in Omaha, Nebraska, to keep an eye on your braking system and for all needed brake repairs.

Overview of the Basic Brake Parts

Your vehicle’s braking system works using hydraulics and friction. To understand exactly how this most important task is accomplished, one might find an overview of the basic brake parts helpful. When you apply pressure to your brake pedal, a level and piston transfer force to the master cylinder. The brake fluid is stored in this reservoir. The increased pressure becomes great enough to begin moving brake fluid through hoes or lines to each wheel where there is another cylinder. The hydraulic principle enables you to apply a small amount of force to the pedal and have it multiplied to the point that it can stop your car without a tremendous amount of work from you. The hydraulic force moves brake components, placing them where they need to be to create the friction that ultimately slows and stops your automobile. Nearly all modern cars have disc brakes at least on their front wheels. With this kind of brakes, the hydraulic force moves the brake caliper. A metal brake pad that’s attached to that caliper moves against a disc located at each wheel. This contact generates the friction that stops the auto. Most older vehicles and frequently the back wheels of newer cars have drum brakes. They work using friction, too, but they do so with different parts. On these, a drum turns inside the wheel. The hydraulic force presses brake shoes against the drum’s interior surface to reduce speed.

Local Help for Brake Repair

Regardless of which braking system your transportation has–all disc brakes on a higher end modern model, all drum brakes on a classic, or a typical combination on most of today’s mid-range and economy cars–each part matters. You might liken it to the old adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. To ensure that all your braking parts and the system as a whole are working satisfactorily, bring your vehicle to Mad Hatter Auto Repair for brake repair. We’ve been your trusted local brake specialists since 1979, and we back all our work with a generous warranty.