Posts Tagged ‘brake’
The hybrid brake pads are still relatively new in the market. They make use of both natural and semi-metallic brake pad technologies and they are often considered to be revolutionary. Although the hybrid brake pads have definite advantages, they also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of before you make your choice.
Advantages
More adaptable
The combination of technologies makes the hybrid brakes suitable for nearly all types of drivers. This means that the brakes tend to serve drivers who slam on the brakes and those who brake slowly fairly well.
Low noise production
The materials used to manufacture the hybrid brakes are usually of very high quality, which make stopping relatively smooth. In fact, there are very few non-hybrid type brake pads that match the silence of these pads.
Low dust creation
Another benefit of hybrid brake pads is the fact that they produce very little dust in comparison to the conventional ones.
Disadvantages
Less effective during hard stops
The hybrid brake pads work better when they are cool while the ceramic types still perform well after heating. The hybrid brake pads do not stop cars traveling at high speeds as fast as the ceramic ones.
Faster wearing of brake rotors
The brake rotors that are not specifically designed for use with hybrid brake pads will tend to wear faster.
Installing the pads may also void warranty on such rotors.
They are relatively more expensive
The hybrid brake pads are usually several times costlier than the conventional ones.
The brake light switch in an automobile is a type of relay switch that turns on the brake light upon pressing of the brake pedal. Only one electrical cable powers the brake light switch. This simple component plays an important role because it lets other road users know that you are slowing down. If the brake light switch does not function, which means the brake lights do not turn on, then an accident can easily result. Even if this does not happen, you will get fined.
However, do not start with the brake light switch if the brake lights do not turn on. Check the bulbs first to ensure that they are working. Once you have determined this, you need the following steps to fix the faulty brake light switch.
Necessary tools and materials
- A basic set of wrenches
- Screwdriver
- New brake light switch
- Light
Locate the brake light switch
You will find the brake light switch in the same position irrespective of your car’s make and model. Open the door on the driver’s side as far as it can go. Remove any mat if necessary.
If possible, use a headlamp so that you can use both your hands, which you need to feel around to determine where the brake pedal connects. This is the position of the brake light switch.
The brake light switch is usually behind a cover that is often held in place using Phillips head screws. Remove the screws to lift off this cover so that you can reach the switch.
Remove the faulty brake light switch
There is usually another cover held in place with bolts, which you need to remove to reach the brake light switch. Slide off the contact to remove the connector that supplies power to the switch.
Fix the new brake light switch
Connect the new brake light switch where you have removed the old one, ensuring that you push the connector all the way.
Return the parts you removed in reverse order.
Brakes play a very important role in the safety of trucks; hence both hydraulic and air brakes take this into consideration. Hydraulic brakes are presently more popular than air brakes, which were often used in the past.
Air brakes have a lot of power and they were initially meant for trains. The first large trucks also employed them as the standard brake system. One of the major benefits of air brakes is the fact that when the lines get uncoupled, only air gets lost. Re-coupling the lines is relatively easy without having to deal with drips. In addition, only one pedal is enough to control the air throughout the system.
However, air brakes have their drawbacks. Air expands as it cools. Pressing on the brakes forces air to pass through a pressure-regulating valve, which is necessary for its process of expansion. However, the air may condense under cold conditions, leading to brake failure.
The brakes are also likely to experience compression problems that can cause performance delays, creating a dangerous situation.
Hydraulic brakes were introduced in 1922, when they were used in cars. It took a long time before the brakes could be used in commercial vehicles. However, technological advancements have helped them to gain rapid popularity because both installing and operating them in trucks have become cheaper.
The developments have also made the hydraulic brakes safer than the air brakes. These developments include anti-lock and electronic stability control systems. In addition, compression is not an issue with the brakes.
Modern hydraulic brakes also have leak-free couplers that prevent leaking during uncoupling and coupling.
Here’s How to Change the Brake Pads
Written by Staff on Friday, January 14, 2011 | Comments Off
Categories: Brakes, FAQ Tags: brake, brake pads
There are some important things you need to be aware of if you are interested in changing brake pads on your own, since it is quite a delicate procedure. The following are some of the necessary considerations.
There are a number of important things you should be aware of if you would like to fix a brake fluid leak. Although a brake fluid leak can occur at any place along the lines, it is often found between the master cylinder and brake lines. The following are the necessary tools for fixing the problem.
There are a few different things that may lead to brake noise, which you need to be aware of so that you take appropriate action. You should never ignore any brake noise even though it does not necessarily mean that there is some fault in your car’s braking system.
The following are some of the common causes of brake noise in an automobile.
Faulty Brakes
If you hear some noise as if metal parts are grinding against each other when you apply the brakes, then this should serve as a warning that you should replace the braking system as soon as you can. If you keep on using the car without checking the braking system, then you will not only end up making more costly repairs but also risk getting involved in a serious accident when the brakes fail at a critical moment.
Some of the parts that may need to be replaced include the brake pads, shoes, drums, and rotors. However, you will not need to replace all of them if you take appropriate action in good time.
Brake Springs
If you hear some squeaking noise, it may come from the brake springs that form part of the braking system. However, you should let a professional check your car to determine the exact cause, as the noise may as well be due to faulty brakes.
Warning Tab
There are warning tabs built into the braking system that will start producing noise when surfaces are wearing thin. This helps to warn you so that you can make necessary replacements in good time. Many cases of brake noise are due to worn out warning tabs.
When you press down the brake pedal on your Honda Accord, the pads push into the rotors, which are made of heat-absorbing iron. Wear and time eventually scores, cracks, warps, or fades these rotors. When that happens, they need to be either serviced or replaced.
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Although changing the rotors on your brakes is rather complicated, a home mechanic can get the job done—with the correct equipment. If you do plan to replace your Accord’s rotors, you’ll need jack stands, a tire iron, a socket wrench set, rubber tubing, a pry bar, a torque wrench, a large C-clamp, and a two-jaw puller. New rotors, wire, and new cotter pins are necessary as well.
Remove the Brake Clipper
Step 1
Using a tire iron, loosen each wheel’s lug nuts. Then lift the Accord using a jack and jack stand. One at a time, take out the lug nuts.
Step 2
Use a socket wrench to take off the brake line. Remove the fitting, too. Plug up the fitting with tubing and set aside.
Step 3
Next, using a wrench, loosen the bracket bolts of the caliper as well as the mounting bolts. Then take off the caliper assembly and fasten it with wire.
Remove the Damaged Rotor
Step 1
The wire harness of the ABS speed sensor is located by the steering knuckle. Using a wrench, remove it. Then unbolt the knuckle’s sensor and take it off. Set the sensor and connecting wire aside.
Step 2
Using a wrench and a socket, unscrew the nut on the drive-axle’s hub. As you do so, place the pry bar in between the wheel studs. This will prevent the parts from moving.
Step 3
Take out the castle nut and the cotter pin in the stud of the lowest ball joint. Loosen the nut. With a two-jaw puller, remove the steering knuckle’s bottom control arm.
Step 4
Pull the knuckle/hub portion from under the car. Then push the drive-axle through the assembly in order to separate it. This will leave the axle’s end exposed. You may have to loosen the hub by hitting it with a rubber mallet.
Step 5
To stop the inside CV joint from drooping, place a wire on the end of the axle.
Step 6
Remove the retaining bolts. They are behind the steering knuckle’s hub assembly. Take the hub assembly off.
Step 7
The rotor and the hub are held together with bolts. Remove them using a socket wrench. Position the pry bar in between two studs. This way the assembly won’t move when you unbolt it. Remove the rotor.
Install the Replacement Rotor
Step 1
Put the replacement brake rotor and hub together by working backwards through the directions above in Step 7. To put the hub/new rotor assembly back in place, perform the procedures described above in Step 6, again working in reverse order. Use a socket wrench to tighten the bolts.
Step 2
Torque the hub-rotor bolts on the steering knuckle to 33 foot-pounds. Then tighten the bolts connecting the hub and the rotor to 40 foot-pounds. Put the knuckle and hub components as well as the axle together by repeating Steps 3, 4, and 5 in reverse order. Make certain to replace the old cotter pin in the lower ball joint’s castle nut.
Step 3
Put the nut on the drive-axle hub. Then lower the car. Tighten the hub nut to 134 foot-pounds.
Step 4
Before replacing the caliper, press the piston down into the bore using a C-clamp. Torque the mounting bolts on the caliper to 54 foot-pounds. The caliper bracket bolts should be tightened to 80 foot-pounds. Use a socket wrench to put the brake line as well as the fitting back into place.
Step 5
Hit the brakes a few times. This will discharge the piston, which will go into the caliper.
Step 6
Repeat the previous steps as you replace the other rotors. Replace the wheels. Use your fingers to tighten the lug nuts. Finally, put the jack away, lower the car, and torque the lug nuts until they’re at 80 foot-pounds.
No matter how great your car is, driving it will be dangerous if you cannot stop it when needed. This is something that race car drivers are well aware of, and they concur that a car’s braking ability is more important than its ability to accelerate. No one enjoys veering off course, falling into a ditch, or hitting a wall.
Unfortunately, the braking system usually fails, more often than not, as a result of neglect. The problem is largely with the equipment rather than the driver. The culprit is usually worn braking pads.
Good friction pad depth is important for good performance, which means that you should regularly change the pads. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and go to work on relining your car’s brakes. Of course, this means that you need a plastic tool kit.
In order for you to change the braking pads when it is necessary, you need to learn more about the braking system. This article focuses primarily on the front braking pads, which account for 90% of changes required in this area.
A simple way of determining the wear on the brake pads is to look at them from outside of the front tire. Many cars allow you to see the brake pads via the openings on the outer parts of the rims or wheels. Seldom will you need to remove the wheels so as to see the pads.
Look at the outside pad from above. You will see it pressing against the metal rotor, which is shiny.
Once you have seen it, you have two ways of determining whether they need to be replaced.
Any pad that is less than a quarter of an inch thick needs to be replaced. Change them without delay if the depth is less than an eighth of an inch to prevent impending damage of the rotor. Of course, there are some slight differences depending on specific cars but this is a good rule of thumb. Read the rest of this entry
