In this blog we will talk about the braking system of a car. Everyone knows that a car needs brakes to come to a halt again. But not everyone knows exactly how the brake system works. Which parts are involved and why are the brakes wear sensitive. There are also many different types of braking systems, which does not make things any easier. After reading this blog you will know everything about the braking system of your car. Do you still have an unanswered question after reading the blog? Then contact us by e-mail and we will gladly help you further!
What is the braking system?
The braking system ensures that when the car is moving it can be stopped. You control the brakes of the car by means of the brake pedal, which is always in the middle of the pedals, and with machines on the left.
Two types of braking systems are known:
- Brake discs or disc brakes is perhaps the best known system. With this system the brake discs (these are metal discs) are coupled to the hub so that they rotate with the wheels. As soon as braking occurs, the brake pads press against the brake discs so that they can come to a stop.
- Drum brakes is, as the word suggests, a drum containing two half brake shoes. As soon as the brake is pressed, these brake shoes are pressed against the drum, causing the car to brake.
In addition to these parts, there are many other parts that ensure that the braking system works properly.
How do brake discs work?
Brake discs come in many shapes and sizes, but they all work the same. The brake disc is coupled to the hub, which ensures that it rotates with the wheels. The brake callipers are surrounded by the brake discs, and the brake pads are located there. The brake pads are pressed against the brake discs by the brake cylinder. If this happens there is a lot of friction which ensures that the brake discs can no longer turn properly and therefore bring the car to a stop. Due to the enormous friction a lot of heat is created. The brake pads must therefore be able to handle this heat, and they must not wear out too quickly.
There are different types of brake discs, namely the following;
1. Solid brake discs, these brake discs are solid and single. These brake discs are often used with somewhat smaller or slower vehicles. It is also possible that these brake discs occur on older cars.
2. Ventilated brake discs are brake discs where two brake discs are actually connected to each other with a partition. These brake discs can handle more power. The advantage of ventilated brake discs is the following:
- Better heat dissipation
- Less wear
- Better delay
3. Perforated brake discs are discs with holes or grooves made in the disc. This has the following advantages:
- Optimal delay
- Good drainage
- Good heat dissipation
In addition to normal metal brake discs, there are also ceramic brakes. These are a lot more expensive and you often find them on more expensive cars such as Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti and all other top brands. The advantage of the ceramic brakes are the following:
- Far less bothered by fading
- Lights than metal brake discs (fuel saving)
- More direct braking feeling
- Longer service life (200,000 km)
With ceramic brakes you have less trouble with ‘fading’, but what exactly is ‘fading’? Fading occurs when the brakes are heavily loaded for a long time. This makes the brakes less and less and you notice this on the brake pedal. You have to press the pedal further and further to be able to brake properly. With fading the brakes often stink, so you can smell it on the brakes.
What material are brake pads made of?
Brake pads are crucial in the braking system. Without the brake pads, the brake discs cannot stop. It is therefore also very important to make the right brake pads. The brake pads must be able to withstand enormous heat during braking without wearing off too fast. There are roughly 3 types of brake pads.
Organic brake pads
Organic brake pads consist of various materials such as rubber, carbon, kevlar and glass. The materials are mixed with a binder which ensures that it hardens. They wear out faster because they are relatively ‘soft’. This ensures that the brake discs wear less quickly.
Semi Sinter brake pads
Sinter brake pads exist for 25% to 65% of metals such as iron, steel and copper. In addition, it is made of friction material and graphite. The blocks wear less quickly than organic brake pads and the metal in the brake pads helps to dissipate the heat released during braking.
Sinter brake pads
Sintered brake pads are made from sintered material. Think of metals such as copper, bronze or a mix of metals. Sintering means compressing ground material under high pressure. The brake pads can withstand high temperatures. These brake pads often occur in cars that demand high performance.
How do drum brakes work?
Drum brakes consist roughly of 2 important elements. The two crescent-shaped brake shoes and the drum. The brake shoes are mounted on a brake anchor plate. As a result, they do not turn with the wheel. The drum, on the other hand, is attached to the wheel and turns with it. By pushing the brake shoes against the drum you get friction and this causes the car to brake. Drum brakes have the disadvantage that they get heated extremely quickly with long-term braking (think of driving downhill). When they get warm, they quickly lose their braking power. In the past many cars were equipped with drum brakes, but nowadays most cars are equipped with disc brakes. Some cars are still made with rear drum brakes and front disc brakes, but this has also fallen sharply in recent years. An advantage of the drum brakes is that less force is needed on the brake pedal to be able to brake. However, this is no longer an issue nowadays because all cars are equipped with power brakes. For these reasons, the drum brakes are hardly applied to new cars, if at all.
What other parts are in the braking system?
In addition to the brake disc, brake pads, drum brake and brake shoes, there are many more components in the brake system. You can read more about this here:
Brake hoses
The brake hose ensures that the hydraulic pressure that is built up is transported to the brake system. This is done by means of brake fluid. Brake hoses are used for connecting pipes between the chassis and the body. The best is a brake hose made of metal, because metal does not expand easily so you have little pressure loss. Nowadays brake hoses are often made from a rubber mixture which ensures that the brake hose is very strong and pressure-resistant.
Brake cables
It is legally stipulated that motor vehicles must have two different ways of operating the brake system. This is the parking brake. This is connected to the brake system by means of the handbrake cable. The parking brake cable can withstand enormous pressure.
Brake calipers
The brake callipers are mounted on one side of the brake disc and hold the brake pads in place. When you press the brake pedal, the brake calipers are squeezed together which ensures that the blocks are pressed against the brake discs, this gives the braking effect.
Wheel brake cylinder
You will find a wheel brake cylinder in a drum brake. Due to the pressure exerted via the brake pedal, the cylinders are pushed out, these cylinders are in cash with the brake shoe which again presses against the brake drum, which creates the braking effect.
Brake cleaner and brake oil
The brake fluid ensures that the pressure can be transferred from the brake pedal to the brakes. This pressure can sometimes go up to 200 bar. It is recommended to replace the brake fluid a number of times during the life of the car. This ensures that the braking system remains optimal in terms of hydraulic pressure.
Brake cleaner is used to clean the brakes. The stuff has a degreasing effect which ensures that oil, grease or dirt can be removed.
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