On a basic level, your vehicle needs to do two things properly - go and stop. Of course, there is more to it than that, as there are a variety of other functions required for your vehicle to be road-legal (lights, safety features, etc.). However, when you look at the big picture, your vehicle is only going to get you around town successfully if it manages to accelerate and stop properly. In this article, we are going to discuss the second half of that equation.
While the goal of every type of brake system is to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop, different types of brakes go about the job in different ways. Let's take a look at some different types of brake systems below.
Drum Brakes
For many years, drum brakes were the standard method of stopping vehicles. And, fortunately, these kinds of brakes were able to get the job done in most cases. While drum brakes have taken a backseat to disc brakes in recent years - more on that later - they are still in use in plenty of vehicles.
The name 'drum' brakes comes from the fact that a drum-like housing contains the components that are used to apply stopping force to the wheels. The brake shoes inside the drum housing are used to slow the wheel when the driver presses on the brake pedal.
The notable issue to be aware of with drum brakes is heat. As in, the brake components tend to get hot after heavy use, and their performance fades as a result. So, if a driver is having to use the brakes aggressively for a period of time, those brakes may struggle to keep stopping the vehicle in a timely manner as the journey continues. The design of the brake system makes it difficult for heat to be dissipated, so the overall performance of drum brakes is limited in capability.
Disc Brakes
The most commonly seen type of brakes today on a passenger vehicle are disc brakes. Disc brakes offer an effective solution to the problem of bringing your car or truck to a stop, and their popularity is based on their effectiveness. There is a good chance that the vehicle you currently own features disc brakes.
So, how do disc brakes work? It's a surprisingly simple system -
• There are three main components to think about when trying to understand disc brakes - the brake rotor, the caliper, and the brake pads.
• The brake rotor is attached to the wheel, and the caliper and brake pads live adjacent to the wheel, waiting to clamp on to the rotor to slow things down.
• Each wheel will need two brake pads - one on each side of the rotor. Both of those pads are housed inside the same caliper.
• When the driver of the vehicle applies the brakes, a hydraulic system tightens the brake pads onto the rotor. The pads push up against the rotor - more and more firmly as the driver adds pressure to the brake pedal - and the vehicle is brought to a stop.
• Over time, the components involved in this system - specifically the brake pads and the rotors - will wear down and need to be replaced.
The notable advantage of disc brakes is the ability of the system to remain relatively cool even after consistent and repeated braking. Since the rotor and pads are pretty much out in the open - as opposed to being contained in a closed housing - they can use the air flowing past the car to cool themselves down. Less heat will build up with disc brakes as opposed to drum brakes, and in the end, the performance of the brakes is improved as a result.
Anti-Lock Brakes
You have probably heard the term 'anti-lock brakes' previously, even if you don't know exactly what that means. Is this another type of braking system? Well, not really, but kind of. Often abbreviated ABS, this safety feature is found in most vehicles on the road today, although you should check to confirm it is included on your model.
Rather than a type of brakes - such as drum or disc - ABS actually refers to a safety system that is designed to help you maintain control of the vehicle during an emergency braking situation. On a basic level, it works as follows -
• The driver of the vehicle applies the brakes aggressively in order to avoid an upcoming hazard (such as traffic that has stopped suddenly, or an animal that has darted out into the road).
• The ABS senses that the vehicle's tires locking up and jumps into action to help the driver maintain control.
• When ABS engages, it will pulse the brakes on and off rapidly so the driver can continue to steer while also stopping. The driver simply needs to continue applying the brakes firmly while attempting to steer in a safe direction.
Without ABS, it would be up to the driver to manually pump the brakes while also trying to steer. Thanks to the development and widespread use of ABS, drivers can take the natural action of keeping their foot down on the pedal to stop quickly.
A Combination
Often, passenger vehicles will feature a combination of disc and drum brakes when they roll off the manufacturing line. Typically, disc brakes will be in the front (since that's where most of the braking work is done), while drum brakes will be employed in the back. If you aren't sure about the braking configuration for your vehicle, consult your owner's manual or speak with your mechanic for assistance.
At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we take pride in offering high-quality service to each of our customers. If you need brake repair work done on your vehicle, or any other kind of work, for that matter, we'll be happy to assist. Contact us today to learn more about what our service department can offer, or to make an appointment. Thanks for stopping by!