Process of Checking and Maintaining the Car Brake System

Brake system plays an extremely important role in ensuring safety and control for the driver. The brake system is a complex combination of mechanical, hydraulic and electronic components that work in harmony to provide effective and reliable braking in all situations.

To ensure the vehicle's good operating condition, maintenance checks need to be performed regularly. We usually replace brakes due to the following situations: Driving conditions, screeching rotor (brake disc part), poor quality of brake pads... Periodically check the brake/brake system along with replacement time. lubricant to ensure the safety of the brake/brake parts.

If you check the brake / brake system too long for the oil change period, it is easy to re-rinse the rotor surface, or even replace it, causing a financial cost.

Therefore, to ensure the safety for you and your car, we need to check regularly maintenance.

What is the car brake system?

An automobile brake system is a mechanical system designed to slow down or stop a moving vehicle. The brake system includes the following main components:

• Brake pedal: This is the part the driver uses to activate the braking system. When you press the brake pedal, this force is transmitted to other parts of the system.
• Brake booster: This is a device that enhances braking force, helping to reduce the force needed to press the brake pedal.
• Brake wheel (or brake disc): This is where braking force is generated and transmitted to the wheels. When the brake is activated, the brake pads will press on the brake disc, creating friction and slowing the vehicle.
• Brake fluid: Is the fluid that transfers braking force from the brake pedal to other parts of the system.

The brake system plays an extremely important role in ensuring safety when driving. It helps the driver to stop or slow down the vehicle quickly and safely.

Note when checking and maintaining the car's brake system

While driving, pay attention to how the brakes work.

• If stepping on the brake pedal is not sure, or the pedal is almost touching the floor to "stick to the brake", those are signs to check. The cause could be a lack of brake fluid, or where the oil is leaking.
• If the brake pedal vibrates or the steering wheel vibrates, it is a sign that the brake disc needs to be replaced or the brake disc is too worn and needs to be resurfaced.
• It is necessary to listen to the sounds that indicate wear and tear. For example, a squeaking sound, or the sound of metal rubbing against each other, indicates that the brake lining is worn. If not promptly repaired will lead to many other serious dangers.

Brake system inspection/maintenance procedures

Open the lid to check the amount of brake fluid stored in the box. If the oil level is low, an extra charge is required. But if you notice that the oil level drops regularly, it is a sign that the system is leaking somewhere, possibly in the system's oil piping.

Oil color test

New oil is clear or translucent. Oil that is old and about to be worn out has a dark, dirty color after a long time of being contaminated with dust, soil, moisture... If the brake fluid has changed to a dark color, it is time to change the oil, not just Just add more to fill it up.

Check oil brake system under the car

To check the brakes, the car needs to be clicked up. Pay attention to whether any of the Flexible hose and hard metal pipes are leaking or leaking.

Metal pipes run along the length of the vehicle, so all must be checked. At the same time to check the rubber pipes that transfer oil to the "oil pigs" located at the wheels. With flexible tubes, it is important to see if anything is lumpy, because lumpy is a sign of a leak. Do not let these pipes touch mobile parts in a vehicle, or heat-generating parts, such as the exhaust.

Check by removing the cake

Check the condition of the brake disc (rotor) on the front wheel 2. Pay attention to whether the brake disc is scratched or worn. The scratches on the surface of the brake disc, if any, are signs of a large amount of dirt (such as gravel, or sand) sticking between the surface of the disc and the surface of the disc that causes such damage.

If the brake disc surface is heavily scratched, it may need to be rinsed, or even replaced.

As for the drum brakes (brake calipers) on the rear wheels, we need to carefully remove the drum brake so that we can check the inside. Check for many other signs, such as whether the brake is sticking too much dust, the brake ball surface or the disc surface is bent; Has the oil pig been damaged? and oil in dad ...

"Air release" in the brake system

After replacing the brake disc, replacing the brake pad and oil, perform the "exhaust" process for the brake system. This is because there is still air in the brake fluid and the oil pipes (air mixes when the brake pedal is worn, when the brake fluid is low), making the braking less efficient. Then the "exhaust" in the brake system to ensure the brakes work more efficiently and safely.

Smoothing the brake discs

• Why need Lang brake disc?

After a period of use, under the impact of the brake and the external environment such as soil, rock, many degrees ... These effects can warp the brake disc, make the brake disc rough or the thickness is not uniform. Best. In such cases, brake disc glazing is considered the most effective way to solve the brake problem.

• Brake disc is reversed

The brake disc is reversed when the brake disc and motor are not concentric. This usually happens due to braking. When braking, the working environment of the brake disc and brake pads is extremely harsh: the surface is covered with impurities, high temperatures and sudden changes, which can easily cause deformation and uneven wear.

In addition, the reversed brake disc can also be caused by the surface of the brake disc fitted to the absolutely flat non-contact trailer rack. This may be due to the disassembly process or local deformation caused.

The most recognizable sign of the brake disc phenomenon is reversed when the brakes show a sudden vibration, the brakes deviate to one side (robbery when braking). When the brake pedal is pressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal is vibrated and bounced slightly; if the pressure is greater, the pedal vibrates more strongly. At that time, the driver felt that the steering wheel was also shaking, it was obvious that the brakes were not effective.

For vehicles with ABS braking systems, you need to be very careful. When smoothing the brake discs, you must consider the minimum allowable thickness. Some cars cannot be fixed by smoothing the brake disc, but must replace the brake disc when scratched or worn.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. What types of brake systems are popular in cars today?

Common braking systems on cars include:

• Disc brake: Commonly used on the front wheel, including a rotating brake disc with the wheel and brake pads.
• Drum brake: Usually used for the rear wheel, consisting of a drum and brake pads (also called brake heels).
• Handbrake: A mechanical brake, usually acting on the rear wheel to keep the vehicle in park.
• ABS brakes (Anti-lock Braking System): Anti-lock braking system, helps the driver control the driving direction when braking suddenly.

For more details, read the general introduction article automobile brake system helps you better understand the uses, operating principles as well as identify common damages of the brake system.

2. What are the signs that the car brake system needs maintenance?

Signs that the brake system needs maintenance:

• Abnormal sounds when braking, such as screeching or metal rubbing against each other.
• The brake pedal is not firm, the brake pedal almost touches the floor.
• The brakes vibrate, the car deviates when braking.
• The brake error light is on on the dashboard.
• Brake fluid is leaking, the brake fluid level is unusually low.

See more Common damage to the car brake system Helps you get the safest way to handle any encounter.

3. What is the recommended frequency of brake system maintenance?

Brake system maintenance frequency depends on usage conditions and manufacturer recommendations. Normally, the brake system should be checked every 12.000 - 15.000 km or every 6 months. However, if the vehicle often runs in harsh conditions such as hilly roads or has to brake suddenly, the maintenance check cycle should be shortened.

4. Should I maintain my car's brake system at home?

The brake system is directly related to safety, so maintenance and repair should be performed by a professional. However, users can check some simple items themselves such as:

• Check brake fluid level and brake fluid color.
• Observe the brake pad through the inspection hole on the brake disc.
• Listen for unusual sounds when braking.
• If you detect any unusual signs, you need to take the car to a reputable garage for inspection and timely handling.

5. What are the possible causes of lost brake fluid?

Loss of brake fluid can be due to the following reasons:

• Leaks from brake fluid pipes, soft pipes, and hard pipes.
• Leaking from brake cylinder due to old, peeling rubber.
• Leaking from the master cylinder due to old, peeling rubber.
• The brake fluid tank cap was open, causing the oil to evaporate.
• Excessive brake pad wear causes the piston in the brake cylinder to be pushed farther, consuming more brake fluid.

If abnormal loss of brake fluid is detected, the vehicle should be inspected immediately to determine the exact location of the leak and promptly fix it, avoiding danger while driving.

6. How can warped brake discs be fixed?

when the Brake disc is warped, treatment options include:

• Grinding the brake disc surface (brake disc village): Use a specialized grinding machine to flatten the brake disc surface and remove warping. However, be careful not to grind beyond the minimum thickness limit of the brake disc.
• Replace the brake disc: If the brake disc is too thin or heavily deformed, it needs to be replaced with a new brake disc to ensure braking efficiency and safety.

Grinding brake discs requires specialized equipment and skilled workers. Do not arbitrarily grind the brake disc at home because it can damage the brake disc and affect safety.

7. When replacing brake pads, what should you pay attention to?

When replacing brake pads, note the following points:

• Choose brake pads of the correct type and code according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Brake pads should be replaced on both sides of the same shaft to ensure balanced braking force.
• Check the condition of the brake disc. If it is excessively worn or warped, it needs to be ground or replaced.
• Check and change brake fluid if necessary.
• After replacing, it is necessary to "bleed" the brake system to ensure there are no air bubbles left in the oil.
• Run the new brake rotor at low speed for the first 200km so that the brake pads "catch" the brake disc.

Replacing brake pads requires proper techniques and specialized tools. It's best to let a professional do it to ensure quality and safety.

8. When do you need to change your car's brake fluid?

Brake fluid needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations, usually around 40.000 - 50.000 km or 2-3 years. However, in some cases it is necessary to change brake fluid sooner:

• The brake fluid is darkly discolored, has a burning smell, and is mixed with impurities.
• The car was flooded, causing the brake fluid to mix with water.
• There is a brake fluid leak in the system.
• The feeling of the brake pedal is spongy and poorly elastic.

Poor quality brake fluid will reduce braking efficiency, cause wear and tear on system components, and can even be dangerous when the brakes fail. Therefore, it is necessary to check and replace brake fluid periodically to ensure safety.

9. What to do when you encounter a brake failure situation while driving?

If you experience brake failure while driving:

• Stay calm, don't panic.
• Turn on hazard warning lights.
• Step on the accelerator pedal and release slowly to brake the engine.
• Set the gear to a lower gear to increase engine braking power.
• Pull the handbrake slowly to stop the vehicle. Be sure to pull slowly and release when you see the rear wheel is locked to avoid slipping.
• Find a safe place to stop, such as a sidewalk, emergency exit, or flat area.
• After stopping the vehicle, turn off the engine, turn on the warning lights, and call for help.

The best prevention is to periodically inspect and maintain the brake system. If the brakes show signs of abnormality, you need to take the vehicle for inspection immediately to promptly fix it and avoid dangerous situations while driving.