When is it time to change the front brake pads

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When is it time to change the front brake pads
When is it time to change the front brake pads
Anonim

Disc and drum brakes have different designs but very similar functions. On any brake in a car, you will see front brake pads. It follows that the brake system can be shoe-disc or shoe-drum. Let's analyze how they are similar and how they differ from each other.

Front brake pads
Front brake pads

Disk type brake system

Cooling. The pad and disc in this system are open, they are air-cooled, that is, when driving, they are blown by an oncoming air flow. In an emergency situation, when braking is performed at high speed, the disc heats up very strongly, the temperature can reach 600 ° C! For better heat dissipation, it has ventilation holes and grooves for forced air circulation.

Operating principle. The spinning disk is clamped by two pads, and the wheel slows down, stops rotational actions. The advantages of this design include the ability of the brake to clean quickly, the disadvantages: the front brake pads wear out quickly, are erased.

Causes of failure. If the brakes are often subjected to heavy loads, a small layer appears on the padssoot formed by burnt friction material. This may reduce braking performance on the road. The grooves and splines on the ventilated discs remove some of the deposits, leaving the surface clean.

Reaction to water. A sharp temperature drop destroys the disk, leading to its cracking. Damaged brakes must be replaced and must not be used. Holes, unfortunately, shorten the life of the disk, this is, in fact, a weak point in the design.

How to change pads
How to change pads

Drum type brake system

Cooling. The pad and disc are hidden under the drum. The cooling of this design is slower than that of a disk one, because the air stream does not enter the rubbing ones. To remove the resulting heat, special ribs can be seen on the drum.

Working principle. The front brake pads move apart under the influence of the brake cylinder pistons, and they, pressing against the inner surface of the drum, "wedge" the wheel.

Causes of failure. Same as disc brakes.

Reaction to water. If water gets inside, nothing bad will happen, you just need to press the pedal several times.

Symptoms of bad brake pads and solutions

Groove of brake discs
Groove of brake discs

Faulty front brake pads may start to whistle when braking. If you hear it while driving, then this is a signal that it is time to replace this part. Also a sign of a malfunction is a slight vibration of the steering wheel when the driver slows down. It is easy to feel and see visually. If you do not know how to change the pads on your own, contact a car service. But not only this detail of the car structure deteriorates. In the workshop, you can also be offered a service such as turning brake discs, if your car has an appropriate braking system. This procedure will return the damaged wheel part to its previous geometric evenness. The car will become more stable when maneuvering and cornering, and its handling will improve.

Disc brakes and pads
Disc brakes and pads

Be careful, watch your vehicle's braking system.

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