Brake Repair How To’s

Brake repair is an important part of automobile maintenance. Brakes are indeed one of the most important safety features in a vehicle. A driver should know a bit about all parts of his or her machine. Knowledge is a powerful tool and will keep a motorist from getting ripped off at the brake repair garage or misunderstanding what has gone wrong. Here are some basic how to’s and tips regarding this part of a car:

Read up: One of the first steps an individual can take toward understanding automotive reparation is to read about it. It’s helpful to not only peruse the owners’ manual but to buy a repair manual for the type of vehicle a driver owns. Flipping through the entire book will give some basic information; when a maintenance need or breakdown occurs, the person will have some knowledge to draw from. Going to specific sections as needed in order to read it more thoroughly will be a great way to educate oneself.

Take a class: Many community colleges offer automotive maintenance classes to help students learn everything from how to change a tire, replace oil and to more fully understand and even perform tasks such as replacing brake pads.

Understanding the parts of your halting device:

Your pedal: The brake pedal is comprised of steel. When a motorist presses down on it with his or her foot, it hits the master cylinder by means of a rod. As if by magic, this motion also causes the brake lights near the rear bumper to light up, alerting all those vehicles behind it to slow down.

Master cylinder: One component of the master cylinder is a reservoir for fluids. This is where the brake fluids are stored. These fluids are designed to flow through lines by means of a piston. If all goes according to plan, the fluids move through the lines to the caliper.

Pads: These are designed to withstand lots of pressure and heat. When a heavy auto is stopped, it causes lots of friction, i.e. heat. These sturdy devices do wear out periodically and must be checked from time to time.

Rotors: Rotors are made from a heavy duty material called cast iron. Cast iron is able to withstand high temperatures and warping. The proper sized rotors must be installed in a vehicle or they will wear out sooner than later. Rotors are designed to rotate as an auto is driven, hence the name.

Types of devices: There are different types of braking devices; some are called drum, others are called disc and some are called compression. It’s important to get to know your auto and to learn what type it has. 

Maintaining a vehicle will keep it operating for a longer period of time. Maintenance will go a long way in cutting down unnecessary brake repair bills, too. The owners’ manual should be consulted in order to become aware of recommendations for tune-ups and servicing appointments. When red flags occur, such as dashboard warning lights flashing, squeaking sounds when pressing the brake pedal or ineffective response to braking, it’s time to get the car into a reputable garage for a brake repair.