While we have discussed most major components of an auto brake system to date, one other major element relates to overall brake hydraulics. This technology provides the central motive force behind how brake system works. Without this capability, no modern braking system will operate as advertised.
All components within a brake system are involved including; brake calipers, brake pads, brake lines, and brake rotors and act on the basis of hydraulic principles. Consequently, before we get into the brake system itself, let’s understand what the practical definition of brake hydraulics really is.
In technical terms, ‘hydraulic processing’ operates on the basis of “…force directed from a specific point to one or more secondary points, thereby activating subordinate mechanisms by use of non-compressible fluid transfer.” However, to translation this definition in more practical terms let’s follow this logic schematic from end-to-end.
To wit; specialized brake fluid is pulled from a pressure-driven master brake cylinder through brake lines to subordinate slave cylinders located at each brake housing. Next, fluid is additionally pushed from the slave cylinder to individual brake calipers. These components house and activate internal pistons which ultimately drive brake pads against each brake rotor.
Now that we understand a little about the underlying hydraulic-mechanical process, let’s take a look at how whole combination applies to the ‘average’ performance driver.
While most consumer cars don’t typically call for regular maintenance schedules for hydraulic systems, there are some rules of thumb that can be useful. First, when investigating brake pads, brake calipers and brake rotors, it is useful to take a look at the stability of the hydraulic system at large.
This consideration means ‘feeling’ differences in pedal pressures; leaks associated with fittings, and brake lines adjacent to brake housings; or obvious drops in fluid levels when opening the master cylinder storage vessel.
This usually involve ‘more or bigger’ components, including larger master cylinders and supporting components, the addition of more slave cylinders, along with the introduction of exotic materials.
Like any of our other primers, customers should feel comfortable collaborating with an expert brake provider like Buybrakes.com to ensure that all questions are resolved. This is necessary to produce confidence in any brake hydraulic component purchase decision, while ensuring that it is entirely appropriate to the customer’s particular needs.