How Do Vehicle Brakes Work?

Everyone knows that brakes are absolutely essential for your car’s or truck’s operation, but most people have only a vague idea of how they actually work. They might know that the occasional inspection or maintenance appointment is good practice, but beyond that they don’t worry much about their brakes. This might get you through the day, but in the long run, having a better idea of how your brakes operate will help keep your car running right, and could even save you money. After all, brakes are responsible for stopping several-ton machines from crashing.

Of course, you always want to trust brake repair in Riverside, CA to the experts. The last thing you want to do is press on the brake pedal to find that it doesn’t respond like it should. Read on to find out more about what goes on with your car’s brakes:

• Kinetic energy: Moving cars create a lot of energy in motion, also known as kinetic energy. To stop the car, the brakes have to counteract this phenomenon. By pushing your foot on the brake pedal, a connected lever goes into a cylinder that’s filled with hydraulic fluid. The fluid travels through a series of lines into other cylinders that are located by the wheel. Eventually this engages the brake pad against the rotor, generating friction that slows the outer wheel and the tire. This complicated system runs through all these motions at incredible speed.
• Disc vs. drum brakes: Brakes come in two different types. Drum brakes have a shoe inside a drum-shaped piece that are pushed outward when you press the brake pedal, resulting in the shoes rubbing the inside part of the drum and causing the wheel to slow. Disc brakes, meanwhile, use a metal rotor that spins in the same direction as the wheel. When you press the pedal, the brake pads will be squeezed against the rotor, causing the wheel to slow.
• Common brake problems: One major issue with brakes is having high-quality fluid. As noted above, fluid running through the system is a key part of the operation. When this fluid is dirty or clogged with debris, it won’t operate well and could result in brake failure. Another common issue is worn-out brake pads or rotors. Taking your car in regularly for professional brake service will prevent these kinds of problems from popping up unexpectedly.

Do you need brake repair in Riverside, CA? Come check out Reliable Tire Center, the premier tire, brake and auto repair service in the area. We perform brake and alignment checks, along with rotating, balancing and repairing tires. We specialize in providing exceptional service to our clients at an honest rate.

Our expert mechanics will never recommend a service that a customer doesn’t need. We’ve built our reputation by offering outstanding customer service that focuses on providing fast and affordable auto repairs. Stop by or call today for a free quote and find out why we’re different from the competition. We look forward to assisting you soon!

Categorised in: Brakes, Uncategorized