How brakes work
How brakes work
The typical braking system is made up of many different components, all designed to work together to slow or stop your vehicle depending on the amount of pressure applied to the brake pedal.
Braking systems are hydraulic and work by moving brake fluid around a system of pipes to bring components into contact with each other in order to generate friction and to slow the wheels.
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Typical Disc Brake
Typical Drum BrakeThe master cylinder – the heart of the braking system is controlled by a servo linked to the brake pedal. When you apply pressure to the pedal, the servo controls the amount of brake fluid that the master cylinder moves through the brake pipes to either the disc brakes (at the front of the vehicle) or drum brakes (usually used on a vehicle’s rear axle).
Disc brakes – the disc brake assembly consists of a steel disc which is connected to the vehicle axle and a caliper which houses two brake pads – one either side of the disc. When you press the brake pedal and brake fluid is moved through the brake pipes to the caliper, pistons inside the caliper force the brake pads onto the disc to slow its speed of rotation and in turn slowing the axle and wheels to slow or stop the vehicle.
Most modern cars are now also equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) which use electronics to control the brakes and apply them when the system considers it necessary to assist the driver.
