Car Service

The Anatomy of Your Brakes

Do you know the anatomy of your brakes? Do you know how your brakes work so they can stop your car? Without getting too technical, the Larry’s Independent Service team in Mission Viejo, CA wants to share information about your braking system and why it is so important to keep them in good repair.

First, let’s list all of the brake parts:

  • Brake pedal
  • Brake booster
  • Master cylinder
  • Brake lines and hoses
  • Brake fluid
  • Brake calipers and pistons
  • Brake pads or brake shoes
  • Brake rotors or disc drums
  • ABS (anti-lock brake system) control module
  • Wheel speed sensors

Second, let’s show how all of these brake parts work together:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H7nwlT_qNY&t=187s
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6H7nwlT_qNY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Third, let’s explain how brake service and repair keeps those brakes performing well:

Because your braking system is made up of a number of parts, any of those parts could be the root cause of your braking system not performing well. Here are just a few of the braking system questions we examine when we do a brake service or repair:

  • Is the brake pedal sinking too much?
  • Are the brake lines or hoses leaking?
  • Are the brake pads worn too thin?
  • Are the brake rotors pitted or rusty?
  • Is the ABS module working?
  • Are the sensors off?
  • What is the driving style of the owner of this vehicle?
  • Are they hard on the brakes because they like to speed?
  • Are they frequently in stop-and-go traffic?
  • Do they tow a camper or trailer behind this vehicle?

These are a lot of questions, right? But these are all items we take into account when inspecting your vehicle. At Larry’s Independent Service, we will notify you when we see an issue with your braking system so you can make intelligent decisions and help your vehicle last longer. 

The bottom line is this:  Your braking system is the number one safety feature on your vehicle and it should never be neglected. Listen to your brakes. When they squeal or feel slow to respond, they are trying to tell you they need service or repair.

When your vehicle needs brake repair or ongoing maintenance, we invite you to see the well-qualified auto mechanics at Larry's Independent Service. We are Mission Viejo's premier one-stop shop for Japanese, Asian and American auto maintenance, diagnostics, and repair. We will help make sure your vehicle is running smoothly. To stretch your dollars even further, we encourage you to take advantage of our online specials and mention them when you schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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