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Brakes 101

Many automobile enthusiasts are discovering that while it can be interesting to judge a vehicle on how fast it can go from zero to 60, it can actually be more important to pay attention to how quickly it can safely go from 60 to a complete stop. This is particularly true if you have a high-performance vehicle, one that will frequently be carrying your family or one that is often fully loaded. A vehicle’s ability to slow and stop is based on its braking system, which may contain more components than one realizes.

Braking System Components

It can be beneficial for all car owners to have at least some basic knowledge of the elements of a car braking system and how each component works.

  • Brake Pedal. Like the gas pedal supplies fuel to the engine, the brake pedal supplies brake fluid to the master cylinder.
  • Master Cylinder. The master cylinder is basically a plunger-type system that forces brake fluid through the brake lines as the brake pedal is pushed.
  • Brake Lines. This is a series of sealed tubing that carries brake fluid down to the wheels.
  • Brake Rotors and/or Drums. Disc brakes use rotors, drum brakes use drums.
eLINE Series Brake Rotors
R1 Concepts Brake Drums
  • Wheel Cylinders. These serve to apply the pressure to disc or drum brakes, creating friction that slows and stops a vehicle.
  • Brake Pads and/or Shoes. These are the components that actually press against the metal drums and rotors to stop the car.
R1 Concepts Brake Pads
R1 Concepts Brake Shoes

R1 Concepts Brake Shoes

As a car decelerates, weight shifts from the rear wheels to the front. This weight transfer is an important consideration when selecting a braking system. Neutral brake balance provides the shortest stopping distance, but in spite of this, all car manufacturers set vehicles at the factory with a 5-10% bias to the front brakes. The reason makes sense as this 5-10% bias makes the car easier to control under braking for the average driver. The vehicle, however, is not taking full advantage of its rear brakes in this set-up.

For those who frequently carry heavier loads or for enthusiasts who want better braking capabilities, an excellent choice could be a balanced braking system. The new components of a balanced braking shifting work together to slightly shift the brake bias, based on conditions, to the rear wheels. This optimizes braking power, especially under more stressful conditions. Adjusting brake bias will affect handling, so choosing the right brake set up will depend on your vehicle and driving habits.

Another worthwhile note when it comes to braking performance is recognizing that it is often said brakes don’t stop a car, the tires do. If you are looking for maximum braking performance you will also want to make sure your car is equipped with quality tires with plenty of tread life remaining. 

While brake balance may not be as critical in a daily driver, for racing, performance, and vehicles under heavy loads it can be of primary importance. It is certainly worth investigating and considering when upgrading your braking system.

Nick Stentiford's Honda S2000
eLINE Series Brake Rotors

At R1 Concepts Brake Parts online, we offer high quality brake rotors, pads, caliper and more. Shop online or give us a call today at  888-712-6623.

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