Spotting Brake System Failures
The main culprit of friction material separation is typically corrosion.
Brake Hardware
Specific hardware does not do its job if it is left in the box.
Lightweight Brake Components
Engineering teams have certain goals that they need to meet or exceed.
Brake Pad Confusion: What Is The Best Brake Pad?
What makes one friction material quieter or better than another? It’s a two-part answer.
GM Electronic Parking Brake Procedures
The parking brake control module has an internal motor, apply actuator, release actuator and temperature sensor.
Brake Job: 2018-Current Honda Odyssey
Using a low-quality brake pad or reusing the abutment clips can lead to a noise comeback.
VIDEO: Lab Tests Show Brake Hardware Effectiveness On Pad Wear
Andrew Markel discusses a lab test with three vehicles on the effectiveness of brand new brake hardware on preventing premature brake pad wear. Sponsored by Carlson.
VIDEO: What Brake Pad Wear Can Tell You About The Hardware
Andrew Markel discusses how you can tell the condition of the brake system and hardware by looking at the wear patterns on the pads. Sponsored by Carlson.
VIDEO: Why You Should Avoid Using A Wire Wheel On Replacement Calipers
Andrew Markel discusses replacing brake calipers, and why using a wire wheel before installation may shorten its service life. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
VIDEO: The Survey Says, If Brake Hardware Is Available, The Technician Will Order It!
In a recent survey by Carlson Quality Brake Parts, technicians said that if they know an extra or specialty brake hardware kit is available, 90% of the time they will put it on the brake job parts order.
VIDEO: Replacing Brake Hardware; What’s Your Excuse?
Andrew Markel discusses brake jobs, and how there is no excuse for not replacing the brake hardware every time. Sponsored by Carlson.
Drag Reducing Brake Hardware
Reducing brake drag on late-model vehicles is not done by a single component, it is a system. At the master cylinder on some vehicles, there might be a quick-take-up-valve in the replenish port to hydraulically pull the caliper piston back from the rotor. At the caliper, OEMs are using seals with a special profile designed to retract the piston. Some vehicles are even using the valves in the ABS module to electronically retract the pistons. On the caliper bracket, engineers are designing hardware that can push the pad away from the rotor.
