Traditional definition of a brake describes it as any mechanical system that reduces or stops the motion of a moving body. Brakes enable the sudden need for speed reduction or abrupt stopping of the vehicle by creating friction in the wheels. The entire braking system comprises of a pedal that is controlled by the driver’s foot, a metal canister called vacuum booster that connects the pedal to the master cylinder, master cylinder is responsible for creating hydraulic pressure, brake lines is responsible for creating friction, brake line splitters, brake calipers all help in speed reduction, disc brake, that uses the calipers to squeeze brake pads to create friction and a combination valve that helps to utilize all the parts of the system in proper combination. Two types of braking system, namely the hydraulic system and air brakes are mainly in use nowadays.
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| Brake Parts |
BRAKE PADS:
The power of the braking system is determined by the quality of the brake pads, and hence maintenance of the same is crucial to the proper working of the braking system. It is one of the most important brake parts, wear and tear of which could lead to dangerous accidents and also lead to damage of the rotor which is a very expensive part of the braking system. Various types of brake pads can be found:
Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO)
- Cost is low
- Produces less noise
- Made of soft organic materials like carbon, Kevlar and rubber, and hence have lower durability.
Semi Metallic Brake Pad
- Provides excellent power for stoppage
- Made of metal fibers and hence are the hardest.
- Hard material does more damage to rotors.
- Very noisy
- Produces rusty brake dust as they function.
Ceramic Brake Pad
- Brake parts designed to perform with only the advantages of semi metallic brake pads.
- Lesser noise and dust production
- Excellent stoppage power
- Wide range in quality and expensive.
BRAKE SHOE
Brake shoes are metal plates, curved and attached to the inner wall of the brake drum and are responsible to create friction and reduce speed in the wheels. These brake parts come in both ceramic and semi metallic varieties. Since brake shoes function in combination with brake pads to create friction, they are undoubtedly the parts which wear out easily in a braking system and hence annual inspection of these elements is a must. If neglected for long, they can even damage the rotor system.
BRAKE ROTOR
Brake rotor is one of the most integral brake parts and should always be of high quality metal. Rotors, along with drums are the surfaces to which the brake pads and brake shoes are force fitted to create friction and stop the vehicle. As friction creates high heat, the material of the rotor should be durable enough to be able to dissipate the heat generated and also bear the continuous contact with moisture as the wheels of a vehicle are exposed to water contact.
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| Brake Parts |
BRAKE CALIPERS
They are essential brake parts of a braking system, these comprise of one or more pistons. When the brake pedal is stepped on, brake fluid stored in the master cylinder helps create hydraulic pressure on the pistons, which in turn press the brake pads against the rotor.
BRAKE FLUID
Not essentially categorized under brake parts, the brake fluid is vital to all parts of the braking system and is transported through steel lines and brake hose pipes. As calipers are constantly exposed to water, adverse road conditions and heat, a contamination in the brake fluid can bring down the efficiency of the calipers. Also, frequent need for brake fluid addition may indicate a leakage in the hydraulic system.