Brakes

All drivers know that putting your foot on the brake slows the vehicle down, however, many do not know exactly how the brake system works.

The force applied to the pedal is multiplied through leverage which then, in turn, initiates a hydraulic system. Hydraulic systems run on incompressible fluids, in this instance brake fluid. The leverages force at one end, pushes a piston into a brake cable, which pushes the fluid through the brake cable and pushes a piston out of the other end, apply the friction to a wheel. This is the braking system. This friction is relayed through the tyres to the ground and vehicle comes to a stop.

Over time, brakes can fail for several reasons; a leak of fluid in the hydraulics can cause weak or failed brakes. Additionally, over time, the frequency and intensity of the application on the braking system can wear the brakes and component parts: these need to be monitored, serviced and as they deteriorate replaced. Good driving ethics and cautious driving can prolong brake life.

There are a number of components in the braking system which can cause brake failure:

Drum Brakes
Drum brake systems are commonly used on the rear of a vehicle. The hydraulic system is initiated by pressing the brake pedal which causes two shoes inside a drum to move outwards making contact with the inner surface of the drum, causing resisting friction. The drum is connected to the wheel, so in this instance, results in friction being simulated from the drum to the wheel and causes the vehicle to stop.

Disc Brakes
Disc brakes may be on the front wheels or, more frequently, on all four wheels. The hydraulic system is initiated by pressing the brake pedal which causes two pistons to push two pads onto either side of a disc in a clamping motion. Brake discs are fixed to the wheels, therefore, when the pads clamp onto the discs, friction occurs and the wheels slow down bringing the vehicle to a stop.

ABS (Anti-Locking Brake System)
ABS works on the principle that locked or skidding wheels will not created enough friction to stop the vehicle safety. So, ABS is there to assist the driver when elements out of their control prevent a safe stop. There are four main components to the ABS system: these are Speed, Sensor, Controller, Valves and Pumps.

Speed sensors appear on each wheel which relay speed measurements to the controller, which is an on board intelligence computer chip. Depending on the measurements the controller will operate valves in the brake fluid line to either remain:

• Open: allowing normal operation
• Closed: stopping excessive pressure through the fluid to the braking system to prevent brake lock
• Or Narrow: to minimise the pressure through the brake lines again to prevent brake lock

In instances where valves close or narrow, a pump is in place to restore normal fluid pressure back to the lines after the vehicle has stopped safely.

Brake checks are an important part of your vehicle servicing requirements, so we recommend that you have your brakes inspected periodically and not just when you have your MOT test. If you tend to use your car mainly for short journeys for instance, it is likely that you will wear the brakes down quicker than if the car is used predominantly for longer trips. It is, therefore, important that you can spot the most common tell-tale signs of when your brake pads are in need of changing or repair.

The two most common signs of brake wear are:

• A grinding noise – this usually suggests that the brake pads have reached the minimum quality. It is advisable that you contact your local branch to have your brakes checked and suitably repaired.
• Pull to the left or right when braking – this normally indicates there could be sticking on the brake disc or issues with the brakes.

Our brake check facility gives a clear picture of the condition of your vehicle’s brakes, whether you need new brake pads, brake discs or if the braking system itself is in need of repair. All elements are inspected against the manufacturer’s specification, which means Throttle Motors will help you get your brakes back to the most efficient standard.