Understanding the Different Parts of Your Braking System

5 Most Important Parts of Your Braking System

One of the most essential parts of any car is its brakes. Without this critical system, you wouldn’t be able to efficiently stop your one-ton car by simply pressing down on a pedal. But do you know all of the different components of your vehicle’s braking system? All of these parts work together to ensure your car always stops and slows down to avoid a potential collision.

The brake repair specialists at So Cal Mobile Maintenance in Los Angeles, California, break down a car’s five most important brake parts.

Brake Pedal

The brake pedal is the component of the brake system that you’re probably the most familiar with. Located on the floor to the left of the accelerator, the brake pedal is the part that will initially engage your entire braking system. If your brake pedal feels soft or spongy, it’s important to have your vehicle inspected. These symptoms could indicate an issue with your brake pads or rotors.

ABS Control Module

A car’s ABS control modules perform diagnostic checks on an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This helps them to determine when to send the proper pressure to each wheel to prevent them from locking up. This keeps your car from skidding, sliding, and fish-tailing and ensures a safe, smooth driving experience.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are typically located on a car’s two front wheels and have brake pads that press against a disc (or rotor) when you apply pressure to the brake pedal to stop your car. Think of your car’s disc brakes in terms of riding a bicycle. When pressure is applied to the brake lever, it pulls a metal chain that squeezes the two calipers together, creating friction between the rubber pads and the metal tire rim to make the bike stop.

Drum Brakes

Located at the rear of many modern cars, drum brakes are made up of wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and a brake drum. When you press your foot down on the brake pedal, the brake shoes are forced down on the brake drum by the wheel cylinder, causing your car to stop.

Emergency Brake

The emergency brake, or “E” brake, is operated by pulling up on the lever that is located between your two front seats. This component operates independently from your car’s main braking system and keeps your car from rolling or causes it to instantly stop.

To keep every part of your braking system in tip-top shape, contact the brake repair technicians at So Cal Mobile Maintenance today by calling 310-702-7509.