Understanding the Car Brake System

Braking is one of the most important aspects of driving and you must have a basic knowledge about the braking system of your car. While most cars are equipped with a disc brake assembly these days, you should know whether your car has a drum equivalent or not because it is a completely different system of braking. We bring a list of essential components of braking and their functions in the process of braking. 

The brake disc or rotor is the most important part of contemporary braking systems. They are basically large discs made from metals designed differently as per the requirements of each vehicle.  High-end cars and racing cars are equipped with slotted rotors to let the heat dissipate, which results in better braking at higher speeds.    

Cheaper variants are made from lower quality metals; they provide decreased heat management and might be subject to overheating problems. Therefore, high quality discs are installed in cars for improved braking. 

When the brakes are applied, a vise (known as the brake caliper) grips on to the rotor. It consists of pistons connected to a series of hoses from which the brake fluid is supplied. The fluid is transferred into the master cylinder that pushes the pistons in the vise when the brakes are applied. This, in turn, results in the brake pads being pushed towards the surface of the disc, clamping on the spinning rotor. The amount of heat generated is directly proportional to the intensity with which the pads are clamped to the rotor.   

Brake pads are in direct contact with the rotors; they are pushed towards the rotor by the caliper. This means that they are subject to extreme wear and tear. For this very reason, the brake pads should be manufactured to be able to function efficiently at high temperatures. On the other hand, extremely hard brake pads cannot be used in cold climes as they function well at certain temperatures only.

Brake lines are hoses that bear fluids to the caliper assembly. These hydraulic fluids are crucial as they push the brake pads against the rotors, which in turn initiates braking. However, brake lines are most easily damaged, leading to leaks. In such a case, enough force will not be generated to push the brake pads onto the rotors. In simple terms, braking will be ineffective and difficult.

Understanding how the braking system works will allow you to determine the problem in case of a malfunction. If you’re hungry for knowledge, you may look up aluminium die casting post understanding the braking mechanism.