. You may not think much of just a little squeal here or there as you bring your vehicle to a stop, however they can add up to an excellent deal of money in repairs later if left unchecked. Knowing how disc brakes and drum brakes work is very important for car owners, if for no other reason than to understand why they can quickly wear down if proper maintenance and driving techniques aren’t applied.
Brake basics and how brakes work
Brake basics really start with an understanding of it. When your foot depresses the brake pedal, a plunger within the master cylinder forces brake fluid through tubes and to the braking unit attached to each of your car’s wheels. That fluid enters a caliper at the wheel and applies pressure to a piston. That piston squeezes the brake pads against the disc that is attached to the wheel. In drum brakes, the fluid enters the wheel cylinder and pushes brake shoes outward against the drum that is attached to the wheel. The car eventually stops after slowing. Repeated brake applications cause a buildup of heat that comes from friction, and these forces cause brake pads and other elements to wear down over time.
Your brakes – how worn?
There are a number of signs that indicate that car brakes are wearing out. As there is typically no set number of miles over which a set of brakes is intended to function, a driver must remain observant and make a brake check part of their regular auto maintenance routine. Consult your owner’s manual for more information on suggested maintenance schedules, but in general, watch for cues and keep your service records. Some brakes may last for only a year if they’re cheap or you habitually stomp on your brakes instead of going into stops with ease. However, higher quality brakes mixed with gentle driving techniques can extend the life of a set of brakes by a lot.
Why fix brakes so soon?
Living with speaks, squeals and grinding will ultimately lead to damaged rotors, drums and calipers. This can cost $ 1,000 or more. Catching a brake problem early might only require new brake shoes or a simple resurfacing of the shoes you already have. For replacing every little thing, it will most likely be only a tenth of the cost.
Ultimately, brakes will fail, which can result in accident, injury and even death. As Click and Clack of “Car Talk” put it, do not make your mechanic’s next boat payment. Utilize some preventative maintenance early in the game.
Brake basics of dysfunction – Signs to view out for
Is there a flashing brake warning light? Hear squealing? These are warning signs. If the brake pedal or steering wheel shakes when you brake, be warned. If your car pulls one way and requires more time to stop, you’ve more reason than ever to take your car in to a mechanic. You can save money and your life.
More data available at these sites:
Car Talk
cars.cartalk.com/content/advice/brakes.html
Family Car Parts
familycar.com/brakes.htm
Do your brakes feel spongy when you stop? Time to bleed them!
youtube.com/watch?v=LgxMfQUMdJY
