A standard brake system will have disk brakes in the front and disk or drum brakes in the rear. These are attached by tubes and hoses to the master cylinder. Other components of the system include brake pads, calipers, brake rotors, emergency brakes, anti-lock systems and power brake boosters.

As you step on the brake pedal in a car, you are pushing a plunger in the master cylinder. This forces brake fluid through tubes and hoses to each wheel and braking unit. The brake pads grab on to the rotor to stop the car.

Disk Brake

Most modern cars today have disc brakes on the front wheels. Some have disc brakes on all four wheels. On a disc brake, the fluid in the master cylinder is sent to the caliper where it presses the piston and then squeezes the brake pads against the disk or rotor. The disk is connected to the wheel and forces it to slow or stop.

Drum Brake

These brakes work with the same principle as disc brakes. Shoes are pressing against a surface that is spinning and the surface is called the drum. There are many cars that have drum brakes on the back wheels and disc brakes on the front wheels. Drum brakes do have more parts, are more difficult to service, but do cost less to manufacture. The drum brake has two brake shoes and a piston just like a disc brake. It also has an adjuster system, an emergency brake system and many springs. Drum brakes are pushed outward against a rotation drum. These brakes have a larger area to absorb the energy of the car and are mostly used on back wheels.

Master cylinder

The typical master cylinder is a two in one unit with each controlling one wheel. It is made up of fluid, two pistons and brake lines. As the brake pedal is pressed, the pistons move to cause pressure in the cylinder which compresses the fluid to each brake line and brake caliper evenly.

Brake lines

These are tubes and hoses that the brake fluid travels from the master cylinder to the wheels. These tubes and hoses require flexibility within this type of system.

Brake Rotors

The brake pads tighten down on these rotating disks to stop the spinning wheels. You should inspect them on a regular basis to keep them working properly and avoid any future brake problems.

Brake Pads

A flat block that pushes against the disc (rotor) of a brake. This block is made up of anti-friction material that helps to reduce heat and increase the braking system’s life span.