Brakes 101
Welcome to Carley’s Refresher Course on Basic Brake Service
Causes & Cures for Disc Brake Problems
There are as many causes as there are cures for disc brake problems. Brake pedal pulsation tops the list, while disc brake noise and brake pedal sensitivity follow as second and third place contenders. Most of these problems can be avoided if technicians have the right parts and follow the correct procedures. Let’s begin by
Friction Fundamentals
A brake, according to the dictionary, is a device for arresting the motion of a wheel or vehicle. The original brake, like the original wheel, was invented before history was accurately recorded, but we know from pictures drawn by ancient Phoenicians and Egyptians that it is one of the oldest of mechanical devices. For thousands
Brakes: Reading Pads & Calipers, Examining Old Pads Can Prevent Problems Down The Road
Read any good brake pads lately? Don’t make the mistake of replacing brake pads without reading the old pads to spot potential caliper problems that could cause brake problems down the road and a possible comeback. Here are six conditions to watch out for: UNEVEN PAD WEAR. A sure sign of caliper trouble. If the
Eyeball Estimates: Stop Using Percentages if You Cannot Show Your Work!
I have been seeing a lot of estimates recently that project how much “life” is left in the brake pads. This number is often expressed as a percentage. While I do realize that it is a number most customers might be able to understand, it is misleading and often inaccurate. The typical estimate says, “20
Brake Lubricants: High Temperatures Require High Performance Products
When it comes to brake lubricants, grease is a dirty word. Brake lubricants are specially-formulated products that are NOT the same as ordinary chassis grease or even multi-purpose grease. The kind of grease that’s used to lube tie rod ends, ball joints and U-joints is not the same as the lubricants that are required for
Brake Performance Upgrades: Meeting Customer Expectations While Ensuring Safe Repairs
In case you haven’t noticed, the auto manufacturers are in a horsepower race. And as horsepower numbers go ever higher, the need for improved brakes increases. BMW has kept pace with the other manufacturers in both areas by systematically increasing brake component size while, at the same time, turning more control over to the various
Brake NVH: Part Two
An in-depth look at individual brake components and how each can produce noise and how to resolve the malady.
The Ultimate Answer?: Brake NVH: Part One
In recent years, North American OEMs have had to spend more than $100 million annually at the dealership level to resolve brake noise issues. Also, JD Powers studies indicate brake noise is the third highest complaint identified by new-car buyers in the first 90-days of ownership. Brake noise on the aftermarket level is even more
Caliper Science Friction
Disc brake calipers come in many sizes and configurations, including fixed-caliper, multi-piston designs, and the more modern floating-caliper, single piston designs that may also contain a mechanically actuated parking brake. Needless to say, disc brake calipers have undergone a series of design changes that continue to make them more adaptable to late-model vehicle applications. To
Disc Brake Calipers
Disc brake calipers come in many sizes and configurations, including fixed-caliper, multi-piston designs, and the more modern floating-caliper, single piston designs that may also contain a mechanically actuated parking brake. Needless to say, disc brake calipers have undergone a series of design changes that continue to make them more adaptable to late-model import vehicle applications.
Loaded Brake Calipers: Can They Boost Productivity?
Some technicians like loaded calipers because everything they need comes in one box. They don’t have to worry about mismatched parts from different suppliers and the complete assemblies are quick and easy to install. Most importantly, they see fewer comebacks because of brake noise or other problems. Loaded calipers do provide a variety of benefits