Many common automotive fixes are done to keep the vehicle moving such as engine or transmission repairs. However, some of the most important areas where a mechanic is required are the things that help the vehicle stop such as replacement car brakes.
Braking systems vary by vehicle type and range from the older drum style to the newer disc systems. Of course, there are many vehicles that use a combination of both types with disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear. This setup provides excellent stopping action because the majority of the braking force is placed on the front of the vehicle and disc brakes handle this job very well. The most common failure with car brakes is the loss of braking surface.
Consider the disc brake setup. It consists of two pads that sit on either side of the wheel rotor. The pads actually float over the braking surface and are pressed against it whenever the brake peddle is pushed. The actual force comes from the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder as it is pumped to the brake caliper in each wheel. When the pads are pressed together they force the rotor to slow down and this gradually reduces the fiber that the pad is composed of. Unfortunately, replacing the brake pads often requires more work than simply swapping out the worn parts. For instance, the rotor needs to be checked for wear and fractures. Wear is commonplace since the brakes are based on friction, but friction creates heat and this can cause a thin rotor to develop surface fractures. In some cases, turning the rotor so the surface is smooth will remedy the problem, but thin rotors will need to be replaced. Not all brake repairs are straightforward.
Vehicles with ABS (anti-lock braking systems) or computer assisted brakes may require further checks on these components. This is to prevent the unexpected failure of the ABS system and to ensure the vehicle stops without skidding. Another area that may require an expert touch is the replacement of weak caliper systems. Brake calipers have a lot of pressure on them and their constant use could cause the seals to begin leaking. Learn more about brakes and their repair from the experts at website. You can also follow them on Twitter.
