Having issues with your brakes?
To diagnose what is wrong with your brakes, you need to know how your vehicle’s brake system functions.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to what you need to know about brakes:
The brake pedal, when depressed, directly operates the master cylinder, located in the engine compartment (under the hood). It is connected to the brake booster.
The brake booster (connected to the master cylinder by way of a push rod) designed to use engine vacuum, by way of a vacuum hose and check valve, and add additional force to the master cylinder.
The master cylinder is the pressure generator for the hydraulic brake fluid. It delivers brake fluid pressure to each of the four wheels by way of metal tubes and braided hoses. When the fluid pressure increases in the system, slave cylinders known as wheel cylinders and brake calipers are activated.
When calipers are activated, the disc pads compress against the brake discs or rotors, located inside the wheels of the vehicle. This compression causes friction and eventually slows the vehicle to a stop.
When brake shoes are activated, they spread out against the brake drum, inside the wheels, causing friction what, too, slows the vehicle to a stop. Over time, pads, discs/rotors, shoes and drums become subject to wear.
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