Auto Repair

Utilized in most tractor-trailer applications, air brakes use compressed air to release the brake's actuator springs, which naturally default to the locked position. This is a generally reliable...

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...

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...

Investigation of forums and recall guides suggests common mechanical problems and some recall requirements related to the ABS (anti-lock braking system) on the Ford Expedition. The ABS is...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Korean automaker Kia has produced the Sedona minivan since 1999 and has offered it for sale in the U.S. since 2003. Redesigned for the 2006 model year, the Sedona continues to be among the...

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....

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...

The main body of the master cylinder consists of two brake-fluid reservoirs, from which the brake system is supplied--a primary piston that provides the displacement that pushes the brake fluid...

Keeping the brakes in your Chevy Avalanche in good condition is absolutely essential--your life depends on it! But even if you do your best to keep your brakes in the best of shape, problems can...

In a sporty vehicle like a 1998 Ford Mustang, superior stopping power is essential, both for the overall performance of the car and for the safety of the driver. With regular use, disc brakes...

Vehicles with rear drum brakes will often need adjusting to maintain braking power. For Hondas this adjustment is done automatically. When the brake shoes inside the drum brake wear down, they...

The Chrysler Sebring was manufactured with a hydraulic braking system that uses a caliper/pad and drum/shoe setup to stop the vehicle. Later or upgraded models can have four wheel disc brakes. The...

The 1974 Dodge pickup truck series was manufactured with four-wheel drum brakes, which use hydraulic wheel cylinders to actuate shoes onto the interior surface of a drum to stop the truck. The...

The rear brakes on Hyundai vehicles are self-adjusting. This means that the rear brakes will adjust over time as you use them. However, a manual adjustment can and should be done initially to...

Vibration in the steering wheel during braking is a clear indication that the brakes on a Ford Focus need servicing, but the rear brakes do far less work than the front brakes, so it may not be...

Change the brakes on your Saturn vehicle about every 60,000 miles. The Saturn L200 uses brake calipers on all wheels, but only the front brakes use standard brake pads. Still, there are a few...

The Dodge Grand Caravan is an offshoot of the original minivan, the Caravan, making it one of the most well-known models. Unfortunately, the Grand Caravan has experienced its share of problems,...

The rear brakes on the Ford Zx2 will only need adjustment after you change the brake shoes. The drums contain a self-adjuster. However, you can manually adjust the rear brakes to speed up the...

The rear brakes on a Ford ZX2 need to be adjusted only after the brake shoes have been replaced. Fortunately, the rear brakes on a Ford ZX2 are self-adjusting. However, there are a few things you...

Proper adjustment of slack adjusters is essential to the functionality of trailer brakes. Slack adjusters compensate for normal wear of break linings. The slack adjuster is an arm attached to a...

The average drum brakes that are used in the normal operation of the vehicle often double as a parking brake system. Drum brakes are composed of two metal semicircles that sit within the interior...

The Ford Mustang is, quite simply, an American automotive icon. Numerous enthusiasts still restore, drive, and modify the Mustang and replacing worn out or damaged parts is just par for the course...

The Buick LeSabre uses disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels. However, changing the rear brakes is a bit different than changing the front ones because of a few extra components. You must...

The Buick automobile line is manufactured with three main types of hydraulic brakes: four-wheel disk, four-wheel drum, or a combination of rear drum and front disk systems. All of these systems...

Acura brakes use a caliper and rotor design for maximum clamping force. The brakes for the Acura typically use a 15/16-inch master cylinder to push fluid through steel tubing, called brake line,...

The master cylinder stores your vehicle's brake fluid, which is used to hydraulically operate the brake system by forcing the fluid to the brakes. If the master cylinder is defective or leaking,...

The Chevrolet S10 pickup truck series was manufactured with a front disk and rear drum braking system (1982-1997), operated by a hydraulic master cylinder. The 1998 to 2003 models have four wheel...

The Chevy Cavalier was introduced by General Motors in 1982 as its premiere compact car. Despite a few generational redesigns, the braking system on the Cavalier remained virtually unchanged. The...

Brake squeaks and squeals most commonly occur from heat and vibration. The caliper, pad and rotor assembly are secured to the vehicle, but the weight of the vehicle and the demand of the braking...

An essential piece of equipment on passenger vehicles that needs regular tuneups is the braking system. The braking system of your car is operated by the master cylinder. A master cylinder is a...

A metal or magnetic post on each wheel passes by a Hall effect sensor, triggering an electronic signal at each rotation. The sensor is mounted on a stationary part of the suspension near the...

Once automobiles employed front and rear drum brakes. Because disc brakes are more effective, they replaced front drum brakes. Many vehicles still feature rear drum brakes, but all vehicles...

There are quite a few jobs that you need to leave to the professional but regular maintenance on your car can be cheaper and done just as good if you do it yourself. The process of replacing...

Changing the rear brakes on a Ford vehicle depends a lot on the exact model. Some, like the Mustang, use calipers and brakes exclusively, just like the front brakes, while others have drum brakes...

Removing rear drum brakes for replacement is considerably different than doing so for disc brakes. Rear drum brakes use brake shoes rather than pads, which mainly work with the parking brake....

Modern car brakes are a major technological advancement. A number of components and systems work together to give your vehicle maximum stopping power with minimal effort. Unfortunately, with all...

The Ford Motor Company manufactured the Ford 500 from 2005 through 2007. It replaced the Taurus, then was renamed the Taurus in 2008. As did the later-model Taurus, the 500 featured front and rear...

No car problem is more dangerous to you and others than faulty brakes. A brake failure can cause crashes, injury, and death. There are a variety of automobile brake problems, and all of them...

On most trucks, especially older models constructed prior to 1990, a certain amount of vibration from the pedal, as well as the whole vehicle, is to be expected. However, there are certain signs...

Need Your Brakes Changed? This Do-It-Yourself article provides you with easy step-by-step instructions. You'll learn how to change your front brakes yourself with ease.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was manufactured with four-wheel disc brakes in later model years, and the components can wear out and require replacement periodically, simply due to regular driving. You...

The Hyundai Accent replaced the popular Hyundai Excel in 1995. The front disc brakes on the Accent account for 80 percent of the braking power; the rear disc or rear drum brakes account for the...

A car is a complex machine with several systems functioning simultaneously. While most modern cars contain computerized systems that are beyond the understanding of all but the most specialized...

On any vehicle, brakes are one of the most important lines of defense against accidents and personal injury. No vehicle can go through its entire life cycle before the brakes need attention, and...