Brake System Fundamentals

Terms in this set (45)

Provide a means of using friction to either slow down, stop or hold the wheels of the car.

Brake Pedal Assembly

A lever arm to increase the force applied to the master cylinder.

Master Cylinder

Hydraulic piston type pump that develops pressure for brakes. It forces brake fluid into the brake lines.

Vacuum or power steering operated device for assisting brake pedal application.

Brake Lines & Hoses

Double wall metal tubing and rubber hose for transmitting pressure to wheel brake assemblies.

Emergency or Parking Brake

Mechanical or electronic system for applying rear wheel brake assemblies.

Holds the wheel cylinder piston and brake pads.

Friction members pushed against the rotor by action of the master cylinder, wheel cylinder, and piston.

Metal disc that uses friction from brake pads to stop or slow wheel rotation.

A hydraulic piston forced outward by fluid pressure.

Friction units pushed against the rotating brake drum by action of the wheel cylinder assembly.

Rub against brake shoes to stop wheel rotation.

Hydraulic Brake System

A system that uses a liquid to transmit motion or pressure from one part to another.

Master Cylinder Reservoir

Stores the supply of brake fluid for the master cylinder.

Dual Master Cylinder

Contains two separate hydraulic piston's and two fluid reservoirs. One piston and reservoir operates two of the wheels; the other piston and reservoir operating the other two wheel cylinders.

Use engine vacuum, a vacuum pump or power steering pressure to assist brake pedal application.

Hydraulic Brake Booster

Uses power steering pump pressure to help the driver apply the brake pedal. Typically found on diesel engines.

A blended hydraulic fluid that transfers pressure to the wheel cylinders. Has a high boiling point, low freezing point and absorbs water.

Longitudinally Split Brakes

Has one master cylinder piston operating the front wheel brakes and the other operates the rear brakes.

Diagonally Split Brakes

Has each master cylinder piston operating a brake assembly on opposite corners of the car.

Allows air to be removed from the hydraulic brake system.

Anti Rattle Clips

Used to keep brake pads from vibrating and rattling.

Brake Pad Wear Sensor

A metal tab on the brake pad that informs the driver of worn brake pad linings.

Floating Caliper

Mounted on two bolts supported by rubber bushings. The caliper is free to shift or float.

Sliding Caliper

Mounted in slots machined in the caliper mounting bracket. The caliper is free to slide sideways in the slots or grooves as the linings wear.

Normally uses more than one piston and cylinder. The caliper is bolted directly to the steering knuckle. It is NOT free to move in relation to the brake rotor.

Holds the shoes, springs, wheel cylinder and other parts on a drum brakes.

Primary Brake Shoe

The front shoe, typically has a shorter lining.

Secondary Brake Shoe

The rear shoe. Typically has the largest lining.

Hold Down Springs

Hold the brake shoes against the backing plate.

The comparison of front wheel to rear wheel braking effort. Typically, 60 - 70% is done by the front brakes, while the rear brakes handle 30 - 40%.

Designed to equalize braking action at each wheel during light braking applications.

Proportioning Valve

Used on systems with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.

Anti-lock Brake System

Uses wheel speed sensors, hydraulic valves, and the on board computer to limit tire lockup and skid.

Brake Pedal Vibration

Typically caused by an out-of -round brake drum or warped brake rotor. The driver feels a chatter, pulse or shake when applying the brake.

Grabbing Brakes

A condition in which the brakes apply too quickly with only light brake pedal application. Causes include: brake booster malfunction, brake fluid or grease on the pads & shoes, worn pads and shoes or mechanical problems.

Excessive Brake Pedal Effort

An increase in the amount of foot pressure needed to apply the brakes to stop the vehicle. Causes include: frozen wheel cylinder or caliper, defective brake booster, contaminated shoes and pads.

A symptom in which the vehicle veers to the right or left when braking. Causes include: frozen caliper or wheel cylinder piston, grease or coated pads & shoes, and incorrect front alignment.

Spongy Brake Pedal

A symptom in which the brake pedal does not feel solid when applied.The brake pedal will have to travel farther to the floor before braking action occurs. Typically caused by air in the brake system.

Dropping Brake Pedal

A symptom where the brake pedal slowly moves all the way to the floor when pressure is applied. Caused by a leak in the brake system.

Dragging Brakes

Occurs when brakes remain partially applied even though the pedal is released. Caused by frozen wheel cylinders pistons, frozen parking brake and brake fluid contamination.

Occurs when the brake pedal goes directly to the floor with no braking action. Causes include a system leak or no brake fluid in the system.

Caused by glazed (hardened) brake linings, foreign material embedded in the linings or the wear indicator rubbing on the rotor.

Metal-On-Metal Grinding

When braking, indicating worn or no brake lining rubbing on the rotor or drum.

Bleeding The Brakes

The process of using fluid pressure (brake fluid) to force air out of the brake lines and components.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

OTHER SETS BY THIS CREATOR

;