Your brakes are one of the most important components of your car. So, it's vital that you ensure your brakes are checked and serviced on a regular basis. If you don't, you could be risking your safety.
The brake pedal in your car is connected to the master cylinder which is filled with brake fluid and located within the engine compartment. When you apply the brake, hydraulic pressure is created in the master cylinder. This pushes brake fluid along a series of pipes to the pistons in each wheel hub. This forces the friction material on your brake pads onto rotating parts, stopping your car.
Making sure your brake fluid is at the correct level and that your brake discs and pads are not worn is vital to the safe running of your car. So, get your brakes checked out today by our brake specialists. Booking your brakes service is easy. Simply use this online form.
Free Brake Check
Here at Sandicliffe Xpress Fit we believe in preventing problems before they happen. That's why we carry out a full visual healthcheck every time you visit. This is a checklist that helps us make sure your vehicle is safe to be on the road. It also helps us make sure everything else is running just as it should be.
Although it takes around 30 minutes to do, this is completely free of charge. It's just one more reason why thousands of motorists turn to Sandicliffe Xpress Fit every year. Join them by booking your car in today simply use this online form
Disc Brakes
The main components of your car's disc brakes are:
The brake pads
The caliper, which contains a piston
The rotor, which is mounted to the hub
The disc brake is similar to the brakes on a bicycle. Bicycle brakes have a caliper, which squeezes the brake pads against the wheel. In a car's disc brake, the brake pads squeeze the rotor instead of the wheel and the force is transmitted hydraulically instead of through a cable. The disc is slowed due to friction between the pads and the disc.
When it is moving, your car has a certain amount of kinetic energy. The brakes have to remove this energy from your car in order to stop it. They do this by converting the kinetic energy to heat generated by the friction between the pads and the disc each time you stop your car.
Drum Brakes
The main components of your car's disc brakes are:
A brake drum
Brake shoes (which have a friction material lining)
Hydraulic wheel cyclinders
When you apply the brake pedal, hydraulic wheel cylinders force the two brake shoes against the inner surface of a rotating brake drum. This contact produces friction which enables your vehicle to slow down or stop.
ABS
ABS stands for 'Anti-lock Braking System'. ABS works by preventing wheels from locking up during sharp braking. If your car's wheels do lock during braking it can cause you to skid and lose control, making ABS an important safety feature.
An ABS system can detect if one or more of your wheels is turning more slowly than the others. A signal is sent to the braking mechanism which allows the wheel to turn again. The ABS system then allows the brakes to re-apply the pressure. This whole process happens in milliseconds.
Parking Brakes
Your parking brake - or hand brake - holds your car in a parked position. By applying the handbrake lever you activate braking components at the rear of your car's braking system. Parking brakes have a ratchet locking mechanism that will keep them engaged until a release button is pressed.
You will most commonly use your parking brake to keep your vehicle motionless when it is parked. Alternatively, it is used to prevent your vehicle from rolling when you need both feet to operate the clutch and accelerator pedals.
As with your main brakes, it is vitally important that your parking brake is checked on a regular basis. We are brake specialists and can check, service and repair your car's brakes. Just fill in the online form.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is a vital part of your car's braking system, and, if it is not checked and changed on a regular basis it can have a significant impact on your car's braking ability.
That is because brake fluid readily absorbs moisture. And, when there is moisture in your brake fluid, it can boil when it becomes hot under hard braking. This can cause a significant reduction in the capability of your car's brakes. In addition, moisture in your brakes causes corrosion of the braking system.
It's therefore vital that your brake fluid is changed on a regular basis. Most manufacturers recommend your brake fluid is changed every two years at least. This ensures that the boiling point of your brake fluid is maintained at the right level and helps ensure your brakes are as effective as they can be. We are brake specialists and can check, service and repair your car's brakes. Just fill in the online form.
