Have you ever wondered about the inner workings of your car brake system and what happens during a brake job? As a car owner, it's crucial to have a basic understanding of how your car works and how to identify when repairs are necessary. It also helps if you understand what happens during a brake repair job.
This article takes you behind the scenes to help explain the basics of brake repairs.
The Initial Inspection
The brake system is a complex assembly of components that work simultaneously to bring your car to a stop. When you press the brake pedal, the brake fluid pressure increases, which forces the brake pads to compress against the rotors or drums and create friction. As a result, the car slows down or comes to a halt.
A standard job typically involves replacing pads, rotors, drums, and calipers, depending on the type of brakes your car has. The brake pads are the most commonly replaced part, as they wear out over time. They are the contact point between the brake caliper, rotor, and drum.
Rotors are the metal discs your car's wheels spin on, while drums are located inside the wheel hub. The calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotor or drum to create friction and slow your car down.
During a service session, a technician will typically start by inspecting these main components of the braking system before they move on to the brake lines, cylinders, hoses, and any other hardware in the system. Once the inspection is complete, the technician will provide a repair recommendation.
Specialized Repairs and Service
After the initial inspection, the technician will begin making any necessary repairs. Depending on your car's make and model, there may be specialized repairs needed.
If brake pads are worn out or in bad shape, they will have to be replaced to ensure a safe ride. Rotors and drums can also be resurfaced or replaced to improve braking performance. The technician may even have to replace the brake hardware, calipers, and hoses.
Some brake repairs require specialized tools and techniques. For example, resurfacing or replacing rotors may require the use of a lathe to ensure proper sizing and performance.
The technician will also lubricate the caliper slide pins, clean and lubricate the pads and rotor contact points, and adjust the parking brake if necessary. This helps to ensure that everything is in working order before the job is complete. The repair technician may also test drive your car to make sure that the brakes are functioning properly and that any repairs were successful.
For more information on break repair, contact an auto technician.
Have you ever noticed how similar with words "car" and "care" are before? This could just be a coincidence, but it is also helpful. The similarity of the two words serves to remind you that your car requires care. You should take it to the auto service shop regularly for oil changes, to have the tires rotated, and to have the brakes serviced. Neglect this care, and your car may not keep working very long, and it may not even be safe to drive. We invite you to read more about auto service and auto care on this blog, where we delve into such topics in more detail.