Automobile travel is quite the common mode of transportation in our world. Ringing in at 1.4 billion motor vehicles that exist in our world, it’s no wonder we see such a high number of cars on the road. Especially in the urban areas that exist in our country and throughout the world. Many drivers have found that special, trustworthy mechanic they can take their vehicle to any time they need maintenance or repairs. But a growing number of vehicle owners are now taking it upon themselves to perform work on their automobiles.
Can brake pads be put on wrong? Yes! One must take extra care upon installing brake pads or any part of the braking system for that matter. This is the working system of the vehicle that keeps you safe and allows you to stop when needed. If the pads are installed incorrectly, problems may arise in the future when driving the car. And safety is always going to be a priority when operating a motor vehicle, so the brakes always need to be in good, working order.
Now who can blame the car owner that wants to perform their own vehicle repairs and maintenance? You get the opportunity to learn something new, you save money, and I don’t know about you, but I love working with my hands. After getting some vehicle work under one’s belt, a special ability tends to be cultivated which allows a person to perform almost any of the work needed to their vehicle. So, it’s a total no-brainer to gain the ability to work on your own car for those reasons.
Installing Brake Pads the Right Way
We have been blessed and are very fortunate to live in the age we do of the growing internet. A person can easily pull up Google or Youtube, type out their question, and get the exact answer they are looking for. Especially for particular subjects such as vehicle repairs. Anyone can typically find easy to follow instructional videos that pertain to their specific vehicle, with step by step guidance as to how performing the work properly is done. What a world we live in!
That is not to say that prevents any mistakes from happening when working on your car, but it helps to minimize those mess-ups, so the work is performed to satisfaction, and the drives afterward are safe. For more information on how bad brakes can damage your car, click here.
The Brake System Types
In this day and age, brake systems are narrowed down to two main categories. Most vehicles have either of these systems present to make up their braking system. One of these types is much easier to work on than the other, but both systems have manageable repair work when replacing parts or the whole system.
Which will bring up an important point when providing information on each of these brake types. The entire brake system will not always need to be replaced when the brakes have gone bad. With regular inspections and staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance, sometimes only the pads will need to be replaced to keep your car in tip-top shape.
- Disc brakes: These are hands-down an easier braking system type to operate on. A few bolts removed and the system for each wheel can be easily disassembled for repairs. This system type operates by using two pads on either side of each wheel’s rotor that clamp down on each side of all four rotors to slow the vehicle down to a complete stop. Brake pads have about a 40,000-mile range in which they can last, which typically ranges from 25,000-65,000 miles before needing to be replaced. Most brake pads have “indicators,” which supply the mild squealing sound when braking to let you know it’s time to replace them. With regular replacement when needed, the brake rotors can last a very long time and will not need to be replaced.
- Drum brakes: Drum brake systems operate a little differently than its cousin, the disc brake system. Drum braking systems actually have pads that are called shoes on the inside drum (hence the name) that resides behind each wheel of the vehicle. The shoes inside of the drum operate by pushing outward against the interior of each drum to slow down the vehicle to a complete stop. Unfortunately, replacing a drum brake system does not come as easily as disc brakes. More steps are involved, there are additional parts that are different than disc brakes, and the process can be a little bit more tedious to complete. As mentioned, the work is absolutely manageable with the proper instruction and guidance, but just be prepared to get a little more familiar with your car than if you were to replace disc brakes.
For more on the types of braking systems that exist, click here.
Parts of the Braking System
Both common types of vehicle braking systems have a few key parts to note that are important in the proper function of the vehicle’s ability to slow down and then completely stop. Although the brake pads are an important element in a vehicle’s ability to stop, the rotors and calipers play just as important of a role as the pads in a disc braking system.
When it comes to a drum brake system, the key components to remember are the backing plate, the brake drum, pads (shoes), wheel cylinder, and various springs as well as pins. Each of these parts also play important roles in your drum brake system.
- Disc Brakes
- Pads: As mentioned, the pads of a disc brake system squeeze each side of the rotor for each of the four wheels on a motor vehicle. Pads are broken down into three types; organic, metallic, and ceramic with ceramic being the best choice. They may cost the most of the three, but they provide the best stopping ability, the least noise and the least wear & tear on the vehicle over time.
- Rotors: Brake rotors for a disc brake system are broken down into four types; blank (smooth), cross-drilled, slotted, and drilled & slotted. Blank is the most common type of rotor found on any car that has been newly manufactured. It is the lowest-priced option and provides sufficient braking ability for normal driving conditions.
On the other end of the spectrum, drilled & slotted rotors provide the best rotor for extreme driving conditions. It is the ultimate in braking performance, so the cost is understandably going to be the highest. The other two options fall between blank and drilled & slotted in regard to performance and price.
- Drum Brakes: I will briefly cover the
parts of the drum brake system since there are more moving parts, and the
process is more elaborate.
- Backing Plate: The backing plate provides a surface for each wheel’s braking components, so they have a base.
- Brake Drum: The brake drum is manufactured with a unique type of cast-iron that conducts heat and is wear-resistant. The interior lining presses against the drum interior to create friction for stopping.
- Wheel Cylinder: Each wheel possesses a wheel cylinder that operates the brake on each wheel by using two pistons to press the shoes against the interior of the drum.
- Brake shoe: The brake shoes, which are essentially the brake pads for a drum system, are installed inside each wheel cylinder. A pair of shoes are forced outward by the two pistons of the wheel cylinder to cause the stopping friction.
Stopping to Take a Good, Hard Look
As you can see, there are many factors that come along with
a properly functioning braking system. One must proceed with caution when
performing their own maintenance on a vehicle, so the maintenance and repairs
are performed to satisfaction. This is especially true when it comes to
the braking system of your vehicle or someone else’s you may be working on for
that matter. The pads have to be installed properly for them to function right,
so proper directive is crucial when installing new pads. As long as all the
moving parts are properly in place, your vehicle will continue to stop for you.
Sources
How Bad Brakes Can Damage Your Car
August 10th, 2015 by: Dealer Inspired Dashboard
https://www.depaula.com/blog/how-bad-brakes-can-damage-your-car/
Types of Braking Systems and Types of Brakes
https://www.automotive-technology.com/articles/types-of-braking-systems-and-types-of-brakes
