Service Note
Never rely solely on a jack to perform the function of lifting and securing your vehicle. Always use a jack stand or car ramp to support your vehicle while working on it. Hydraulic jacks can fail with little or no warning. Another safe working practice is to place a tire underneath the vehicle.
There any many different brake systems that can be in your vehicle. However, they all work upon the same principle. They use simple machines such as levers and vacuum assist to create pressure.
Hydraulic system
The hydraulic system consists of two separate circuits. The master cylinder may have separate reservoirs for the two circuits, and, in the vent of a leak or failure in one hydraulic circuit, the other circuit will remain operational ( this is the theory). Your vehicle may have a on-board indicator to alert you that there is an issue with your brake system. Typically this is a sensor to let you know that your system in low on fluid (this is the most basic of warning signs).
Power brake booster
The power brake booster or brake booster for short is a device that uses vacuum pressure to assist the brakes in functioning. It is mounted on the firewall directly behind the master cylinder.
Brake fluid reservoir
The reservoir is simply that. A device or container used to store the hydraulic fluid.
Parking brake
On most vehicles the parking brake is a mechanical system used to stop or keep your vehicle stopped. It is a mechanical system used to stop your vehicle in the event that your hydraulic brake system were to fail (this is typically referred to as an emergency brake). Some systems refer to it as a parking brake (mostly standard transmission) because the vehicle can and should be left in gear, when parked. A manual transmission vehicle can be moved (with some effort) even if it is left in gear. In my experience this is often the most neglected part of the brake system. Some of mechanical brake systems have a separate set of brake pads and/or calipers and shoes. Some use the same brake shoe or pad set up that is part of your hydraulic system.
Never rely solely on a jack to perform the function of lifting and securing your vehicle. Always use a jack stand or car ramp to support your vehicle while working on it. Hydraulic jacks can fail with little or no warning. Another safe working practice is to place a tire underneath the vehicle.
There any many different brake systems that can be in your vehicle. However, they all work upon the same principle. They use simple machines such as levers and vacuum assist to create pressure.
Hydraulic system
The hydraulic system consists of two separate circuits. The master cylinder may have separate reservoirs for the two circuits, and, in the vent of a leak or failure in one hydraulic circuit, the other circuit will remain operational ( this is the theory). Your vehicle may have a on-board indicator to alert you that there is an issue with your brake system. Typically this is a sensor to let you know that your system in low on fluid (this is the most basic of warning signs).
Power brake booster
The power brake booster or brake booster for short is a device that uses vacuum pressure to assist the brakes in functioning. It is mounted on the firewall directly behind the master cylinder.
Brake fluid reservoir
The reservoir is simply that. A device or container used to store the hydraulic fluid.
Parking brake
On most vehicles the parking brake is a mechanical system used to stop or keep your vehicle stopped. It is a mechanical system used to stop your vehicle in the event that your hydraulic brake system were to fail (this is typically referred to as an emergency brake). Some systems refer to it as a parking brake (mostly standard transmission) because the vehicle can and should be left in gear, when parked. A manual transmission vehicle can be moved (with some effort) even if it is left in gear. In my experience this is often the most neglected part of the brake system. Some of mechanical brake systems have a separate set of brake pads and/or calipers and shoes. Some use the same brake shoe or pad set up that is part of your hydraulic system.
Service note
After performing any type of maintenance on a brake system it is required that a test drive is performed in a safe environment free from possible personal injury and property damage. There should be a designated stopping zone, which should include some type of redundant method to stop the vehicle. For example, a curb, post a building or a fence; This is the last resort to stop the vehicle in the event that it becomes “run-away”.
After performing any type of maintenance on a brake system it is required that a test drive is performed in a safe environment free from possible personal injury and property damage. There should be a designated stopping zone, which should include some type of redundant method to stop the vehicle. For example, a curb, post a building or a fence; This is the last resort to stop the vehicle in the event that it becomes “run-away”.