Brake Repair - How Brakes Function

Brakes are one of the most important working parts in your car, so
when something is critically wrong with them, you should immediately
seek out brake repair before driving the car again. In order to bring
your car to a quick and reliable stop, leverage, hydraulic force and
friction are utilized. Leverage is created using the driver's own leg
pressure along the brake pedal. The pedal connects to the back of the
power booster, which transfers the force of the leverage to a master
cylinder by way of an engine vacuum or hydraulic pump. The leverage
transfers brake fluid into the hydraulic calipers and cylinders in
your wheel. This pressure is then used to create friction, which stop
your wheels from turning. Depending on the force applied to the pedal,
the brakes will respond accordingly.Without brakes, your car would be
totally unusable. There are two types of ABS, or automobile braking
systems: friction and electromagnetic. The friction ABS operates by
turning the friction into heat energy and operates in two distinct
ways. The electromagnetic system works a little differently, applying
the natural resistance of a magnet to create the heat energy needed
for friction. These two types of system are not very different from
each other. Each system uses heat energy to halt your vehicle, but
both are composed of different parts and processes.Friction systems
can come in two different varieties. In a friction based braking
system, the friction comes from rubbing two different parts together
in a controlled manner. A drum brake utilizes a set of brake shoes,
which press against the inside of a drum-like mechanism. The drum is
connected to your wheel hub, systematically slowing your wheel
according to the level of pressure applied by the pedal.A disc braking
system uses a cast iron or ceramic disc connected to the axle or the
wheel. Pressure is then applied by the brake pads rubbing against the
sides of the disc. This produces the required friction necessary to
halt your wheel. The main difference between a drum and disc system is
different mechanisms. Disc systems have a hydraulic caliper with pads
attached, while drum systems have a hydraulic cylinder pushing a shoe
inside a spinning drum. Each system is a complex assembly of multiple
moving parts that create the three things necessary for stopping your
vehicle: leverage, friction, and hydraulic force.An electromagnetic
system is somewhat different, but works to achieve the same results.
The electromagnetic brakes create resistance through induction, and is
composed of three different parts: field, hub and armature. The
magnetic field attracts to the armature, applying torque that makes
it's way through the field's housing. This stopping torque then enacts
on the car's frame, effectively decelerating the vehicle in precise
and quick timing. Much like their friction based counter-parts,
electromagnetic systems achieve the same end by slightly different
means.Knowing the inside of your car is the key to keeping it running
smoothly and safely. With even a little bit of knowledge about the
systems of your car, it becomes easier to maintain and to understand
your mechanic following any brake repair procedures. Be sure to look
into what sort of brakes your own car has so that when something goes
wrong, you'll know how much you'll probably spend on brake repair!