All passenger vehicles sold today feature disc brakes on their front wheels, and most also have them on the rear. However, some budget models may come with drum brakes in the back. While these two types function differently, they both operate on the same principle: pressing friction material against a rotating component to stop its movement.
How Do Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida Hydraulic Brakes Work?
Hydraulic brakes utilize fluid to function (as opposed to compressed-air brakes, which are found in tractor-trailers and large trucks). When you press the brake pedal, you push a piston into the master cylinder, which is a brake fluid reservoir. This fluid transmits pressure through brake lines to each wheel, activating the brakes.
Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida Disc brakes, which derive their name from the metal rotors or discs that sit behind the wheels and rotate with them, are usually made of cast iron, though high-performance vehicles may use carbon or carbon-ceramic composites. Above the disc is a caliper that houses two brake pads. When brake fluid applies pressure to a caliper piston, the pads press against the spinning rotor, bringing it to a halt. If your vehicle has alloy wheels instead of hubcaps, you can see the calipers and rotors behind them.
In contrast, drum brakes are hidden within a metal drum that also rotates at the same speed as the wheel. Inside, two brake shoes are lined with friction material. A wheel cylinder pushes the shoes outward against the spinning drum, stopping it and bringing the vehicle to a stop.
Overall, Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida disc brakes are considered superior because they dissipate heat more effectively than drum brakes. Since the front brakes handle most of the stopping power, rapid cooling is essential to prevent brake fade. Some performance cars feature slotted rotors for even better cooling. However, disc brakes are pricier, which is why some entry-level models may have drum brakes at the rear. They are still effective and more cost-efficient.
Friction-based systems will inevitably wear down. Worn brake pads can increase stopping distances, and if they aren’t replaced, they may damage the rotors. Warning signs that your brakes need attention include squeaking, grinding, or vibrating during braking; pulling to one side; a brake pedal that feels spongy or goes closer to the floor than usual; or a squeaking noise that disappears when the brakes are applied, indicating wear.
There’s no fixed lifespan for brake components, as wear depends on individual driving habits. Drivers who frequently ride their brakes or are aggressive in their driving tend to wear down brakes more quickly, particularly in stop-and-go traffic or when towing heavy loads.
Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida Rotors also wear down over time. Previously, it was common practice to “turn” rotors to smooth them out, but modern vehicles often use thinner rotors that are replaced rather than resurfaced. Regular brake maintenance, including cleaning and lubricating components to ensure smooth operation, is also recommended.
Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida Brakes have evolved significantly since their early mechanical linkage days. Hydraulic brakes were first seen in high-end vehicles in the 1920s but only became common a decade later. Early models typically had brakes on the rear wheels only; when front brakes were added, vehicles often displayed warnings to drivers behind them about their potential for sudden stops.
Older vehicles utilized a single-reservoir master cylinder to distribute fluid to all four wheels, meaning that if a brake line failed, all brakes would lose pressure. Since 1967, dual master cylinders have been required. These contain two separate reservoirs, each responsible for either the front or rear wheels, or one front and the opposite rear wheel. This design ensures that if pressure is lost in one system, at least two wheels will still have braking capability.
When you get into your car to commute or run errands, you likely don’t give much thought to whether your brakes will function properly. You trust that pressing the brake pedal will stop the vehicle. Surprisingly, even a small amount of pressure can halt a two-ton car, thanks to the efficiency of the hydraulic braking system.
A Brief History of Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida Braking
The earliest cars, built in the early 1900s, did not feature hydraulic brakes, as they hadn’t been invented yet. Instead, they relied on mechanical brakes, which transferred the mechanical pressure from the brake lever to wooden blocks positioned next to the wheels.
When the driver pulled the brake lever, these blocks made contact with the metal-rimmed wheels, generating friction that brought the car to a stop. While this method was adequate for slow-moving vehicles, it was ineffective for those with rubber tires, as the wooden blocks would damage the rubber. It became evident that a new braking system was necessary.
In 1902, the mechanical drum brake was invented, credited to Louis Renault of France. He designed a system where pulling the brake lever expanded brake shoes within the wheel, pushing against the inner surface of the wheel. This friction effectively slowed and stopped the vehicle. These mechanical brakes remained the standard until the 1920s when hydraulic brakes emerged.
The Shift to Hydraulic Brakes
Mechanical brakes served early cars well, as they traveled at lower speeds and could stop quickly. However, relying solely on friction had its downsides. Friction generates heat, leading to wear and tear on the braking surface. As cars began to accelerate, they required more stopping distance. Additionally, the complexity of multiple moving parts made mechanical brakes susceptible to failure and necessitated regular maintenance.
In 1918, Malcolm Loughead (also known as Lockheed) proposed a new brake design featuring fewer moving parts that could stop vehicles more quickly and reliably. His system utilized a master cylinder and hydraulic fluid. In this hydraulic braking setup, the pressure from the brake pedal or lever is converted into fluid pressure by the master cylinder, which then travels through brake lines to engage the brakes, slowing or stopping the car.
These Automotive Lift Repair Tampa Florida systems generated greater pressure, allowing for faster stops. With fewer moving parts, they required less maintenance and experienced less wear. Any necessary maintenance is simpler to perform compared to mechanical brakes, and replacement parts are readily available. Moreover, the hydraulic system is closed, meaning it shouldn’t lose fluid unless there’s a leak—making any dripping brake fluid a serious concern.