Car brakes
Alteration of the brakes - replacing the drum brake with a disc brake!
Drum brakes are a holdover from automotive braking technology. Until the 70s, this was the standard for all cars. However, many of the major accidents of these giants in terms of cylinder capacity are associated with small-sized and structurally unsuitable drum brakes. Fortunately, this soon changed. Outdated and undersized Even heavy American American muscle cars of the late 60s often had such brakes - often with fatal consequences. At the time, passenger safety technology was still in its infancy. Drum Brake Disadvantages As the name suggests, a drum brake consists of a rotating drum. Its interior contains two firmly integrated brake pads. When braking, the brake pads are pressed against the inside of the brake drum. The resulting friction produces the desired braking effect - in theory. The main problem with a drum brake is its inability to adequately...
Why do brakes squeak and whistle
From time to time, every motorist hears the whistle and screech of the brakes of his car. In some situations, the sound disappears after a few short presses on the pedal. In others, the problem does not disappear. The extraneous noise of the brakes cannot be ignored, as safety on the road depends on it. Let's consider for what reasons the squeak of the brakes appears, and also what can be done in each individual situation. Squeaky brakes: the main reasons Before we go into detail about the main reasons why pressing the brake pedal causes additional noise, let's briefly recall the design of the brakes. On each wheel, the system has a drive mechanism called a caliper. It clamps a metal disc attached to the wheel hub. This is a disk modification. In the drum counterpart, the brake cylinder unclenches the pads, and ...
Different types of brake discs
Whether vented, one piece, cast/steel, carbon, or even ceramic, there are many different types of disc brakes. Discover or rediscover them by observing each of the advantages and disadvantages. Difference between full and ventilated disk The difference is quite simple, the easiest way to know is a full disk, a blank disk without any features. A ventilated drive looks like two hard drives stacked on top of each other with a gap between them to improve cooling (it can indeed dissipate through the center of the drive as well). As a rule, the front brakes are ventilated, and the rear brakes are filled for cost reasons (the rear brakes are less loaded, so there is no need to install ventilated discs). Here the entries are ventilated, the space in the middle allows better heat dissipation Here…
Ceramic pads: pros and cons, reviews
Since the creation of self-propelled vehicles, it has become necessary to develop a mechanism that would allow the driver to stop the car in time. In modern transport, this is no longer a mechanism, but a whole system consisting of a large number of different elements that provide the fastest possible reduction in the speed of a car or motorcycle. The active and passive safety system includes many components, including the brake. Their device includes a line through which the brake fluid moves, brake cylinders (one master cylinder with a vacuum booster and one for each wheel), a disk (in budget cars, a drum type is used on the rear axle, which you can read about in detail in another review), caliper (if disc type is used) and pads. When the vehicle slows down (not in use…
DOT brake fluid classification and description
Brake fluid is a special substance that fills the brake system of the car and plays a crucial role in its operation. It transmits the force from pressing the brake pedal through the hydraulic drive to the brake mechanisms, due to which the vehicle is braked and stopped. Maintaining the correct quantity and quality of brake fluid in the system is the key to safe driving. Purpose and requirements for brake fluids The main purpose of the brake fluid is to transfer force from the master brake cylinder to the brake mechanisms on the wheels. The stability of a car's braking is also directly related to the quality of the brake fluid. It must meet all the basic requirements for them. Additionally, you should pay attention to the manufacturer of the liquid. Basic requirements for brake fluids: High temperature…
Description and principle of operation of the EBD system
The abbreviation EBD stands for “Electronic Brake Distribution”, which means “electronic brake force distribution system”. EBD works in conjunction with the four-channel ABS and is its software addition. It allows you to more effectively distribute the braking force on the wheels depending on the vehicle load and provides better controllability and stability when braking. How EBD works and design During emergency braking, the vehicle's center of gravity shifts to the front, reducing the load on the rear axle. If at this point the braking forces on all wheels are the same (which happens in vehicles that do not use brake force control systems), the rear wheels may be completely blocked. This leads to loss of directional stability under the influence of lateral forces, and ...
Freinage IBS / By wire
If the brake pedal of modern cars is mechanically connected to the braking system, the situation starts to seriously change ... So let's see what kind of braking is called "by wire" or IBS for an integrated braking system. Please note that the Alfa Romeo Giulia is one of the first vehicles to use this system (supplied from continental Europe), so it is already present in the new market. Mercedes has been using this technology for some time now with the SBC: Sensotronic Brake System, showing once again that the star is often ahead... Read also: How "classic" brakes work on a car. Basic Principle As you probably already know, the brake system of a car is hydraulic, that is, it consists of pipes filled with liquid. When you brake, you put pressure on the hydraulic circuit. This pressure then...
Design and principle of operation of the electromechanical parking brake (EPB)
An important part of any car is the parking brake, which fixes the car in place while parked and prevents it from rolling back or forward involuntarily. Modern cars are increasingly equipped with an electromechanical type of parking brake, in which electronics replace the usual “handbrake”. The abbreviation for Electromechanical Parking Brake “EPB” stands for Electromechanical Parking Brake. Consider the main functions of the EPB and its differences from the classic parking brake. We will analyze the elements of the device and the principle of its operation. EPB functions The main functions of the EPB include: keeping the vehicle in place when parked; emergency braking in case of failure of the service brake system; preventing the car from rolling back when starting on a hill. EPB device The electromechanical handbrake is installed on the rear wheels of the car. Structurally, it consists of the following ...
How to determine brake pad wear
Safety on the road depends on the quality of the braking system of a car. That is why the replacement of the pads or the diagnosis of their condition should be carried out at regular intervals. Driving a car is always accompanied by two opposite processes: acceleration and braking. Friction material wear depends on the speed at which the driver presses the brake pedal and how often the system is activated. Each driver during the operation of the vehicle must check the condition of the brakes of his car in order to identify problems or prevent them. Consider what situation requires replacing all the pads, how to determine that the material has already been used up and the part will soon lose its effectiveness, and also what the pattern of wear of the brake pads may indicate. What are the signs of wear? In addition, we recommend that you read ...
Blind spot: the main thing to remember
The blind spot is a zone that is not covered by the car's mirrors, it is especially dangerous because the driver cannot see on them. When changing lanes, a motorist should check their mirrors, but also check their blind spots to make sure they are useless. Road users are especially wary, find out what you need to remember about blind spots! 🚗 What is a blind spot? The blind spot is one of the first concepts you will learn when you pass your driver's license. Indeed, when learning the rules of the road, many questions about blind spots can arise. These danger zones concern cars, two-wheelers, pedestrians and cyclists. Thus, on a vehicle, you have several visibility zones: the windshield with your field of view…
How to use the brake cleaner?
Brake Cleaner is a product designed to maintain and thoroughly clean your vehicle's brake system. To ensure your safety, it is important to ensure that your brakes function properly by limiting wear and tear associated with the accumulation of dirt and impurities that clog mechanical parts. 💧 What is brake cleaner used for? Available in a spray or canteen version, the brake cleaner allows you to clean the main parts of the brake system without damaging them. Because these parts, especially the brake pads, heat up very quickly, it's important to get rid of impurities in order to get the best performance. It is a true degreaser for cleaning brake components such as calipers. We recommend that you avoid projecting the product directly onto the Plaquettes de frein at the risk of damaging the materials of which they are composed. So for the right...
The device and principle of operation of the vacuum brake booster
The vacuum booster is one of the integral elements of the vehicle's braking system. Its main purpose is to increase the force transmitted from the pedal to the master brake cylinder. Due to this, driving becomes easier and more comfortable, and braking is effective. In the article, we will analyze how the amplifier works, find out what elements it consists of, and also find out if it is possible to do without it. Functions of the vacuum booster The main functions of the vacuum cleaner (common designation of the device) are: increasing the effort with which the driver presses on the brake pedal; ensuring more efficient operation of the braking system during emergency braking. The vacuum booster creates additional force due to the emerging vacuum. And it is this reinforcement in the event of emergency braking of a car moving at high speed that allows the entire brake system to work with ...
The device and principle of operation of the parking brake
The parking brake (aka handbrake, or in everyday life "handbrake") is an integral part of the brake control of the car. Unlike the main brake system used by the driver while driving, the parking brake system primarily serves to hold the car in place on sloped surfaces, and can also be used as an emergency emergency brake system in the event of a main failure. From the article we learn about the device and the principle of operation of the handbrake. Functions and purpose of the handbrake The main purpose of the parking brake (or handbrake) is to hold the car in place during a long parking. It is also used in case of failure of the main braking system during emergency or emergency braking. In the latter case, the handbrake is used as ...
Description and principle of operation of the TCS traction control system
The traction control system is a set of mechanisms and electronic components of a car that are designed to prevent slippage of the drive wheels. The TCS system (Traction Control System, traction control system) is the trade name for the traction control system that is installed on Honda cars. Similar systems are installed on cars of other brands, but they have different trade names: TRC traction control system (Toyota), ASR traction control system (Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen), ETC system (Range Rover) and others. Activated TCS prevents the vehicle's drive wheels from spinning when starting off, hard acceleration, cornering, poor road conditions, and fast lane changes. Consider the principle of operation of TCS, its components and general design, as well as the pros and cons of its operation. How TCS Works General How Traction Control System Works…
Description and principle of operation of the stability control system ESC
ESC is an electro-hydraulic active safety system, the main purpose of which is to prevent the car from skidding, that is, to prevent deviation from a given trajectory of movement during sharp maneuvering. ESC has another name - "dynamic stabilization system". The abbreviation ESC stands for Electronic Stability Control - electronic stability control (ECU). The stabilization system is a comprehensive system covering the capabilities of ABS and TCS. Consider the principle of operation of the system, its main components, as well as the positive and negative aspects of operation. The principle of operation of the system Let's analyze the principle of operation of ESC using the example of the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) system from Bosch, which has been installed on cars since 1995. The most important thing for ESP is to correctly identify...
Types, device and principle of operation of disc brakes
Hydraulic disc brakes are one of the friction type brakes. Their rotating part is represented by a brake disc, and the fixed part is represented by a caliper with brake pads. Despite the fairly common use of drum-type brakes, disc brakes still gained the most popularity. We will understand the device of the disc brake, and also find out the differences between the two brake mechanisms. The device of disk brakes The design of the disk brake is as follows: caliper (bracket); working brake cylinder; brake pads; brake disk. The caliper, which is a cast-iron or aluminum case (in the form of a bracket), is fixed to the steering knuckle. The design of the caliper allows it to move along the guides in a horizontal plane relative to the brake disc (in the case of a mechanism with a floating caliper). Pistons are located in the caliper body, which, when braking, press the brake ...