Brake System Glossary

Backing Plate The thin metal part of a brake pad or shoe. The friction material is bonded or riveted to this plate. The backing plate grinds into the rotor or drum if the brake pads wear completely out.

Bleed Brakes Small valves are opened at the wheels to allow old brake fluid to escape as it is replaces with new fluid. This removes all of the air from the lines and components, which is necessary for a firm brake pedal.

Brake Drums Brake drums rotate with the wheels. The brake shoes rub against the inside of the drums to stop the car. Drums are used only on the rear wheels and only with drum breaks.

Brake Pads Pads are plates made of a metal backing plate and a layer of friction material. Pads are pressed against the rotors by the calipers, to stop the car. Pads are designed to wear out with use. Pads a always used on the front and sometimes on the rear, and are used with disk breaks only.

Brake Shoes Brake shoes are half-round plates with a metal backing plate and a layer of friction material. Brake shoes rub against the brake drums to stop the vehicle. Brake shoes rub against against the brake drums to stop the car. Brakes are designed to wear out with use. Shoes are always used with drum brakes and are never used on front.

Disk Brakes Disk brakes are a system not a specific part. A disk brake system consists of brake pads, rotors and calipers. Disk brakes are used on the front of all modern cars. Many vehicles have disk brakes on all four wheels.

Master Cylinder The master cylinder is a pump that creates pressure in the brake fluid. The master cylinder is operated by pressing on the brake pedal. This pressure is used to press the brake pads or brake shoes against the brake rotors or brake drums.

Wheel Cylinders Wheel cylinders use pressure created by the master cylinder to push the brake shoes against the brake drums, which stop the car. Wheel cylinders are used with drum brakes only. brakebr

No comments:

Post a Comment