Brake systems consist of several key components working together to slow or stop motion.
Brake Pads/ Shoes: These are friction materials that make direct contact with rotors or drums. Pads are used in disc brakes, while shoes are for drum brakes, generating friction to reduce speed.
Rotors/ Drums: Rotors are metal discs in disc brakes that spin with the wheels; pads clamp onto them. Drums, found in drum brakes, are cylindrical and enclose shoes that expand against their inner surface.
Calipers: In disc brakes, calipers house the brake pads and use hydraulic pressure to push pads against rotors, creating the necessary friction.
Master Cylinder: Converts mechanical force (from the brake pedal) into hydraulic pressure, sending fluid through brake lines to activate calipers or wheel cylinders.
Brake Lines/ Hoses: Carry hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers or wheel cylinders, ensuring pressure transmission.
Wheel Cylinders: Part of drum brake systems, they use hydraulic pressure to push brake shoes against the drum when the pedal is pressed.
Brake Fluid: A hydraulic fluid that transfers force within the brake system, with properties to resist high temperatures and maintain effectiveness.
These components collectively enable controlled deceleration, ensuring vehicle safety and operational efficiency.
