6 Facts about Brake Repair

The brake system on an auto is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic parts for many drivers, and when it comes to brake repair, some may be almost totally in the dark. Here are some basic facts that can help with making good decisions about brake work on your vehicle.

1. Most vehicles have one or both of 2 main brake types - the 2 common brake types are called disc and drum. Disc brakes are probably the most common: a brake caliper puts pressure on a disc to stop the vehicle. With drum brakes, the pressure is different: two spinning parts interact for the friction that helps to stop the vehicle.
2. Brakes work, not just through mechanics, but through thermodynamics - experts point out that a lot of brake engineering has to do with the transfer of heat, where brakes absorb heat, therefore changing engine energy and promoting the arrest of the vehicle's trajectory. This is something to keep in mind when contemplating exactly how your brake system really works.
3. Vehicle brake condition has a large impact on state safety inspections - besides making sure your car or truck works (starts, runs, etc.), a driver in most states also has to worry about annual state inspections. Brakes are a huge part of these required inspections, and it's a good bet on many used vehicles that your shop willl come back to you with mandatory brake work for keeping the vehicle on the road legally. That's one reason why it's good to know as much as you can about the condition of your brakes at all times.
4. Brakes work on the principle of "mechanical advantage" - this aspect of physics is how automakers have engineered today's ultra-effective automotive brakes. Brake systems use a combination of lever and cable systems, brake fluid, friction parts and more to create mechanical advantage so that a simple foot brake can bring your sedan or even your plus-sized truck to a stop.
5. Lots of brake work requires some professional observation - though drivers can sometimes change out mechanical brake parts on their own, for disc brakes, if a rotor has been compromised or worn, or if there are grooves in the disc, this kind of DIY solution can be unsafe. Get a pro to inspect worn brake systems before tackling a brake repair job.
6. ABS (Anti-lock brakes) is a separate, computer-aided system for putting another layer between your foot and the braking of the vehicle - the debate over the benefit of the ABS system as a safety feature has become widespread, and many drivers don't really know how this system works. The ABS has sensors that regulate the wheel movements by computer, effectively taking over some of the decision making in brake modulation from the driver. Though studies have shown ABS to be effective in some situations, skeptics say it can also be a kind of "false security" if a driver does not supplement it with his or her good decision making on the road.

The above will help a driver start to learn about what's really behind the user-friendly braking setup on today's cars and trucks.