An automobile consists of several systems. The engine, fuel, transmission, and lubrication systems are just a few examples, each with their respective roles in a vehicle. However, although not as commonly known as the aforementioned systems, there is yet another part of an automobile that plays a vital role in a car's overall functionality-the braking system.
What is a braking system, and how does it work?
The braking system enables you to stop your car whenever you want or need to, whether to stop the vehicle from hitting another car or wait for the traffic light to go green. It does this by transmitting forces into the tires and road, thereby creating friction. This friction then slows down and stops the vehicle.
This is the basic procedure of how a braking system works, but there may be differences depending on the type of braking system. Regardless, most brake kits consist of the same parts. Here's a closer look at these components: (1)
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Pedal: The pedal is the main component that initiates the process of stopping the vehicle. It works by receiving the force from your leg and multiplying it several times using the booster.
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Brake booster: The brake booster consists of mechanical components designed to amplify the foot pressure you exert into the brake pedal. After all, your regular force isn't enough to stop the entire vehicle. Hence, there's a need for an amplifier. The system then transmits the amplified force into other braking system components via the pipes and lines.
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Brake pipes and lines: The brake pipes and lines consist of relatively thin metal pipes that join the various components together. These pipes are also responsible for transmitting the force from the booster into other components, which the system uses depending on its type. In the case of a hydraulic system, the force is applied to release brake fluids. (1)
These are the three main parts of a braking system. Take note that there are many other components, but you may or may not find them in other automobiles as they're only present in certain types of braking systems. For example, a hydraulic brake system would consist of a master cylinder and brake fluids, while air brake systems may consist of a spring. (1)
Since the type of braking system plays a major role in how the system works and what parts or components you need to get, you should decide on the type before anything else. Here's a quick guide to help you decide on a braking system:
1. Decide on the type of braking system
Contrary to common belief, there are several types of braking systems, and they vary in terms of mechanics and components. For that reason, before you go shopping for the necessary parts, you must first decide on the type of braking system. Here's a closer look at your options:
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Mechanical brake system: As the name implies, a mechanical brake system consists mainly of mechanical parts, such as springs, fulcrums, and rods. This system works by directly applying friction to the brake drum or rotor. As one might expect, using only mechanical parts is incredibly inefficient, which is why this system is pretty much already obsolete nowadays.
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Hydraulic brake system: This is arguably the most commonly used brake system in the market-for cars, at least. It makes use of the force from your legs, amplifies it, and then uses that pressure to release the brake fluids after going through the master cylinder. It then transfers the brake fluids into the brake drums or rotors in order to deaccelerate or stop an automobile.
The hydraulic brake system is the most popular type of brake system in the market, mainly because of its high brake force capabilities, effectiveness, and durability.
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Pneumatic or air brake system: An air brake system follows the same concept as hydraulic brake systems, but rather than using brake fluids to transmit the force, it uses atmospheric air instead.
Moreover, instead of traveling through hoses, the air moves through valves and compressors until it reaches the brake drum or rotor. You'll find this type of brake system in heavy vehicles such as trucks and busses. This is because it can travel greater distances. Plus, it can generate a higher brake force than hydraulic brake systems. Apart from heavy vehicles, you'll also find air brake systems in high-end cars.
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Vacuum brake system: Vacuum brake systems are the closest you can get to air brake systems. They use a vacuum, which is pretty similar to atmospheric air. The vacuum inside the brake lines is transmitted via the exhauster and valves, much like air brakes, and into the drums or motors. Trains typically use this type of system, though they're no longer as common since air brake systems are more effective, can generate brake force more quickly, and are safer. (2)
Each braking system uses different components. However, as you may have noticed, every one of these types consists of either a brake drum or rotor. This is yet another decision that you must make if you want to choose the right braking system for your vehicle.
2. Pick between drum brake or disc brake
As stated earlier, when you press your foot on the pedal, the force is amplified and goes to the brake pipes and lines. It will then move into other components, such as the valves, master cylinder, and exhauster, depending on the type of braking system. Eventually, the amplified force will move to either the brake drums or rotor.
These are the components responsible for stopping the tires of your car. After all, if the friction were to apply directly on the tires, it's only a matter of time before they wear out.
It's worth noting that a brake drum, also known as the drum brake system, and a brake rotor, also known as the disc brake system, work in different ways:
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Disc brake: A disc brake system consists of three parts: (1) the brake rotor, (2) the brake pad, and (3) the brake caliper. It works by applying force to the brake pad and caliper, driving them against the rotor, creating the necessary friction to slow down the disc attached to the tires. With this friction, the tire will slow down and eventually stop.
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Drum brake: A drum brake system consists of two parts: (1) the brake drum and (2) the brake shoe. Unlike disc brakes, this system uses force to push the shoe into the interior of the drum, which then pushes against the drum, creating friction to stop or slow down the car. (1)
As one might expect, there are advantages and disadvantages for each type. For one, disc brakes are self-cleaning, while drum brakes require periodic cleaning as dust accumulates in the shoe. Moreover, water may accumulate inside the brake drum, while disc brakes are exposed to the air, meaning they don't easily collect water.
In contrast, drum brakes generate higher brake force opposed to a disc brake with the same diameter. They are also generally cheaper. Since there are pros and cons for each type, you must put a lot of thought into this decision.
3. Get the parts from a trusted brand
The first two tips encourage you to choose from different types of the braking system. However, regardless of which type you choose, you must never forget only to get the components or parts from a trusted brand. After all, brake systems can save your life, so you wouldn't want to compromise on second-hand or replacement parts made by aftermarket manufacturers.
Of course, this would require you to do a bit of research on the trusted brands in the market. But you should dedicate ample time for it, considering how your life is technically on the line.
4. Decide whether to add an anti-lock braking system
Another aspect that will always be available regardless of which type of braking system you choose is the anti-lock braking system (ABS). Vehicles equipped with ABS have the additional capability to detect how fast each tire is spinning. (3)
Since different speeds on each wheel may mess with your braking system by locking one of its components, ABS is incredibly helpful to avoid issues like a locked brake, hence the name. By analyzing the speed on each wheel, the ABS module can regulate how much force to exert on each tire, allowing you to balance it out, minimizing the possibility of locking. Of course, you may have to spend a bit more money on this feature, but it's certainly worth the price. (3)
5. Make sure there's a warranty
Your braking system's components, particularly the brake drums or rotors, are constantly exposed to excessive pressure. Hence, they typically don't last for a long time, especially if you drive too often. Fortunately, some manufacturers offer a warranty for their brake kits. If you have a warranty, you can feel more comfortable using the product. Therefore, when looking for a braking system, you must always take into consideration whether the item has a warranty.
Closing thoughts
Most car owners underestimate the concept behind braking systems. That's precisely why they often choose just about any braking system they can get their hands on. However, if you've been paying attention to this guide, you should now realize that there's much more to it than you'd initially thought. With this, you should be able to comprehend the importance of choosing a suitable braking system for your automobile, which in turn will lead you to a better choice.
References
1. "What Are the Parts of a Brake System?" Source: https://itstillruns.com/parts-brake-system-7456064.html
2. "Different Types of Braking System in Automobile [Notes & PDF]", Source: https://themechanicalengineering.com/types-of-braking-system/
3. "What is Anti-Lock Braking System?" Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/what-is/anti-lock-braking-system-meaning/1767273/
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