Your car's brake system is composed of different components. Following is the list of major components:
ABS - Anti-Lock Braking System. An advanced computerized braking system which can detect and prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding during hard stops or stops on low
Traction surfaces.
Caliper - A hydraulic clamp which, when the brake pedal is applied, clamps the brake pads on a rotating metal disk attached to the wheel. This slows the wheel rotation to slow or
stop the car.
Disc - Also known as a brake rotor. Is attached to the wheel and rotates with it. Is clamped by the brake caliper mentioned above.
Drum - Similar in function to a disc. Is attached to the wheel and rotates with it. Is slowed when brake shoes are forced to rub on its inner surface by the action of the wheel cylinder.
Shoes and Pads - Also known as friction material. These are the temperature- and wear resistant parts that rub on the rotating rotor or drum, causing it to slow.
Wheel Cylinder - The device in a drum brake that expands and pushes the shoes against the rotating drum.
Master cylinder - The device connected to the brake pedal that changes the mechanical Motion of the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure used to apply the brakes.
Hydraulic system - The braking system uses hydraulic fluid to transmit the force of thebrake pedal to the wheels to activate the brakes.
Brake hardware - Various pins, springs and other pieces that attach the shoes, pads and Calipers to the vehicle. These are designed to allow movement of the parts while holding them in position.
