Auto Brakes

The Toyota Tacoma braking system integrates a four-piston fixed caliper with a large 11-inch rear drum brake application. Although this would assume that such a braking system would be more than...

The brake system on your Ford Mustang requires periodic inspection and maintenance. Unfortunately, it is not until we notice strange smells, noises or mechanical changes coming from a brake...

The brake booster helps you slow down or stop your vehicle safely by multiplying the force you apply to the brake pedal. Without the booster, you would have to step very hard on the pedal and your...

Many would-be mechanics have performed drum brake repairs without the use of specialty tools, such as brake spring tools. A combination of needle-nose pliers, screwdrivers and channel locks can be...

As brake shoes wear down from use, the hydraulic wheel cylinder has to push its pistons out farther in order for the shoes to contact the inner diameter of the drum. When the brake lining of the...

There have been a few minor problems with the parking brake (no longer called an emergency brake) mechanism in the Toyota's Tacoma and Tundra models, which employ similar parking brake systems....

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around since 1990. The vehicle features front disc brakes and may feature either rear disc brakes or rear drum brakes, depending on the series of the model. After...

The braking system is one of the most important parts of an automobile. Brakes are integral to vehicle safety as well as performance. Like most vehicle systems, brakes also require occasional...

The brakes are one of the most important systems of a car, both in terms of performance and safety. As they wear down over time, brakes require occasional service, and new brake pads must be...

The brake light switch on a 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon is behind the brake pedal. The switch is activated when you press on the brake pedal. A plunger in the switch completes an electrical circuit...

The brake light switch on an automobile is responsible for turning on and off the brake lights. Without the switch, the brake lights would not light up, potentially causing a rear-end collision....

Most Acura models are equipped with power assisted brake systems that are hydraulically operated. All front brake systems are disc brakes. The rear brakes can be either disc or drum, depending...

Brake springs retain rear brake shoes to the backing plate and their removal requires both finger and hand dexterity. Tools to assist the would-be mechanic are available quite cheaply at almost...

Rear wheel cylinders are the hydraulic braking component for drum brakes. Internal pistons on both sides of the cylinder extend outward from inside the cylinder when demand is placed on the...

The 1998 Volvo S70 brakes use a hydraulically operated disk system, with integrated anti-lock mechanisms. The calipers, pads and rotors need routine maintenance, which is often overlooked until...

The exact type of rear brakes can vary on cars. Some cars have brake calipers and pads like the front wheels, most use brake drums and shoes that work with the parking brake, and others use both....

The Suzuki Swift is a compact car that was manufactured with a hydraulically actuated braking system, which requires routine maintenance. You can easily replace or resurface the friction surfaces...

Your brakes will develop rust; there is really nothing you can do about it. Even washing your car will cause rust to build up along the brake rotors or outer brake drums. The good news is that...

The Ford Ranger pickup truck is manufactured with a hydraulically actuated disk braking system, which can wear out and require replacement. By replacing or resurfacing the internal components of...

Modern trucks use a hydraulic caliper to apply a friction surface onto a rotor. This rotor can warp or wear out, usually due to heat stresses, and require replacement. Changing the rotors is a...

When you buy a new or used car, the dealer will often try to sell it as is and not bother to fix it up. If you are not careful, you just might end up purchasing a big pile of junk. You can't trust...

The Chevrolet Silverado uses a self-energizing servo, drum brake system common to most rear-wheel-drive General Motors vehicles. This system is composed of a small primary shoe, a larger secondary...

Do you have a KIA Sedona that needs new brake pads? If you said yes then please be aware that the brake shops will charge you around 149 dollars and the dealerships will charge you around 195...

You car's brake rotors are among the easiest parts to rust because of their dark, dank location. Even common car care like washing will cause rust to quickly build up. It's no problem to remove...

Cross-drilled rotors are a popular car upgrade as they greatly increase braking performance but also look great especially if you have over sized wheels. Many shops charge one hundred dollar a...

Emergency brakes were originally designed to stop a vehicle in motion during an emergency. Modern braking systems have made this use largely obsolete, and emergency brakes are now used primarily...

It's frustrating for the do-it-yourself or seasoned mechanic to be confronted with stubborn caliper bolts during a routine brake repair. Since there are hundreds of caliper styles and different...

The disc brake pads on a Mitsubishi Eclipse apply friction to the brake rotor in order to slow the vehicle. The two-door coupe Eclipse has been in production since 1990 and has also been sold as...

A brake system is composed of three primary elements: the master cylinder that sends fluid through the lines, the lines themselves, and the slave cylinders (brake calipers) that squeeze on the pad...

Car repairs are extremely expensive with many shops charging labor rates of one hundred dollars per hour so the opportunity exists for you to save a bundle by doing your own car repairs. Brake...

A proportional valve is a vital component of all automobiles and trucks, allowing them to stop properly. When a vehicle is in motion, it generates momentum, which must be overcome if a vehicle is...

All kinds of automobiles experience brake troubles and issues; vehicles manufactured by Honda are no exception. Spotting brake problems, however, does not have to be difficult. In fact, you can...

The widespread nature of brake problems in Subaru vehicles of all models and years has prompted considerable concern on the part of owners, dealers and government agencies. While braking issues on...

Porsche produces vehicles in 2009 that are well known for both their looks and durable performance. Like most car brands, automobiles manufactured by Porsche can encounter a variety of issues, the...

Rust is common on a car's brake rotors. Because these parts are out of the sunlight, moisture can easily build up within the brakes and lead to rust. The good news is that rust on the brake rotors...

The Ford Crown Victoria is one of the longest-tenured vehicles in the history of Ford Motor Co. It has featured rear disc brakes since the early 1980s, though the car also has been available with...

The Cordia uses a rear drum braking system that requires routine maintenance to operate properly. The adjustment screw on the bottom of the brake assembly often needs attention and is only...

The Chevrolet Suburban was manufactured with a front disc braking system; this system uses hydraulically actuated calipers to apply friction pads against a rotor, which stops the truck. When these...

The line of Mercedes 190 cars built between 1984 and 1994 are safe, classic luxury vehicles, but they often suffer from automatic transmission problems. Gear changes may not shift smoothly due to...

One of the most common SUVs today is the Nissan Pathfinder. It offers spacious, shock absorbent interiors, which allow owners to enjoy comfortable driving throughout various terrains....

If your brakes have been squealing and grinding for weeks now, it is time to do a brake job. Not only is it embarrassing but also unsafe to drive a vehicle that needs brakes.

I was looking for instruction on how to change the front brake pads and the rotors on my 12 year old 97 Nissan Sentra GXE. I found some generic instructions and videos. Some of them were not very...

Brake shoes play an important role in the brake system of a vehicle. The brake shoes are necessary to manipulate the brake and cause a vehicle to gradually slow down or stop abruptly for an...

Automobiles manufactured with front disk braking systems use rotors and wheel bearings to stop the vehicle and keep the wheels rotating, respectively. These parts can wear out over time and...

Class C motorhomes are manufactured with hydraulically operated braking systems. The calipers, rotors, drums and shoes of these systems require routine maintenance to perform well. An average...

Brake calipers all work under the same premise. A hydraulic piston extends from the caliper bore when demand is placed on the brakes. The movement of the piston squeezes the friction material of...

Class C motorhomes are manufactured with truck or van front ends that use common disk braking systems typical to the model. These systems use hydraulic calipers that can wear out and fail, or...

The Ducati line of motorcycles are essentially racing motorcycles. These sport bikes are made by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. The brakes on the Ducati bikes are...

The 2004 Toyota Tacoma was manufactured with a hydraulic braking system, which requires purging of the master cylinder, lines, calipers and wheel cylinders after repairs. This "bleeding" must be...

The ABS brakes in a Jetta are self-adjusting for the most part. However, part of the adjustment requires that you go through a manual process so that the brakes are adjusted properly. The brake...