Brakes Archives - Page 9 of 12 - Tomorrows Technician
Brake Rotor Wear And Measurement

Measuring brake rotors is critical to performing a pulsation-free brake job. It does not matter if the rotors are new or old, you always need to verify if they are within specification.

Friction And Formulations

Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of elements sliding against each other. In the case of cars and trucks, it is the brake pads pushing against a rotor that changes kinetic energy into heat.

Getting Better At Eliminating Brake Noise

If you are trying to eliminate a noise, you could try to stop it from moving the air around it. This is not possible with brakes because they do not operate in a vacuum and they cannot be separated from the vehicle.

Diagnosing Brake Roughness For A Lasting Repair

Warped rotors are probably one of the most common complaints from drivers coming into any shop that does brakes. The less confident or sophisticated driver may complain that when he hits the brakes, “the pedal pulses,” “the vehicle chucks during a stop,” or “it shakes my teeth during braking.” Generally, a quick turn of the

How Do Fluid And Friction Change Brake Pedal Feel?

Chances are your foot will know the condition of a vehicle’s brakes and the quality of the brake pads before your mind puts it all together.

Mercedes-Benz Floating Composite Rotors

When you hear the words “floating rotor,” you might think of a racecar brake rotor with Allen head bolts holding the hat to the outer ring. But, more economical and robust “semi-floating” rotors have made it onto Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz daily drivers.

Brake Pad Chamfers, Slots And Shapes: Controlling Brake Noise

When the brake pad’s friction surface is not in harmony with the caliper and rotor, the result is usually noise. But, brake pad manufacturers have some tricks to prevent this problem or at least shift it outside of the range of human hearing.

Brake Pad Contamination From Friction And Dust

Two forms of brake pad contamination can occur once a brake pad is pressed into a rotor and friction is generated.

VIDEO: Brake Torque Variation (BTV)

Andrew Markel describes brake torque variation, how it can be caused by customer habits, and how it can be prevented on every brake job.

VIDEO: Brake Shim Science

Andrew Markel shows how brake shims prevent noise and vibration in a brake system and the difference between higher and lower quality parts.

Proper Rotor Service Prevents Comebacks

Uneven rotor wear often produces variations in thickness that can be felt as pedal pulsations when the brakes are applied.

Stability Control And Brake Jobs

Automotive technology continues to evolve in several directions. While many manufacturers are concentrating on electric and hybrid technology, higher mileage, and smaller and lighter vehicles, others are focused on performance, horsepower and ever-higher top speeds.