. You may not think much of a little squeal here or there as you bring your car to a stop, but they can add up to a fantastic deal of money in repairs later if left unchecked. Knowing how disc brakes and drum brakes work is very important for each and every car owner, if not for anything else than to understand why they can quickly wear down if proper maintenance and driving techniques are not applied.
How brakes work-brake basics
Brake basics begin with an understanding of the mechanism. When your foot depresses the brake pedal, a plunger within the master cylinder forces brake fluid through tubes and into the braking unit attached to each of your car’s wheels. With common disc brakes, that fluid enters a caliper that is at the wheel and then applies pressure to a piston. That piston squeezes the brake pads against the disc (rotor) that is attached to the wheel. In drum brakes, the fluid enters the wheel cylinder and then 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 from friction, and these forces cause brake pads and other elements to wear down over time.
Your brakes – how worn?
Car breaks wearing is indicated by many signs. As there is no actual 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 some data on suggested maintenance schedules, but in general, watch for cues and keep your service records. Some brakes last only a year if they’re cheap or you habitually stomp on your brakes instead of easing into stops. Higher quality brakes mixed with gentle driving techniques can extend the life of a set of brakes by as much as a few years.
Why shouldn’t you wait to get your brakes fixed?
Living with speaks, squeals and grinding is going to lead to damaged rotors, drums and calipers. Replacing all of these parts can run a repair bill as high as $ 1,000 or more. However, catching a brake problem early might require new brake shoes or even a simple resurfacing of the shoes you already have. For replacing anything, it will most likely be only a tenth of the cost.
Brakes will fail leading to accident or injury. As Click and Clack of “Car Talk” explained it, don’t make your mechanic’s next boat payment. Utilize some preventative maintenance early in the game.
Brake basics of dysfunction – Signs to watch out for
Do you see a flashing brake warning light? How about squealing or grinding sounds? These are definite warning signs. If the brake pedal or steering wheel shakes whenever you brake, be warned. If your car pulls one way or the other and calls for more time to stop, you’ve more reason than ever to take your car in to a mechanic. Save money… and possibly your life.
Citations:
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
