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As you step on the brake pedal and your off-roader comes to a steady halt, have you ever thought about how the brake system works? You may have heard about the pads and rotors, but do you really know what's involved in bringing several thousand pounds of metal, plastic, rubber, and human to a stop each time, regardless of conditions? Do you know when to replace components such as the pads and rotors? And are you aware of how to improve brakes on your car or off-roader through brake upgrade kits? Fear not; we've got the facts to explain it all. How Your Brake System Works The brake system on a vehicle works by converting the action of the driver's foot on the brake pedal into sufficient force to slow and stop the vehicle's wheels in a safe manner. At the very least, a brake system will have a brake pedal, master cylinder, brake lines, and drum or disc brakes at every wheel. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes the brake fluid in the system, which in turn pushes brake shoes against the drum brakes or brake pads against the disc brakes, also known as the rotor. This is the simplest form of a vehicle brake system. In a modern vehicle, there will be a brake booster, as anyone who has driven a vintage vehicle with unassisted brakes will tell you that it's a great workout for your leg, but can quickly become tiring. A brake booster eases the effort required on the pedal. There will also be multiple circuits for each wheel or pair of wheels, known as dual circuit brakes so that if there is a leak in one system, you don't lose all braking power — another 'delightful' characteristic of vintage cars and their single circuit brake systems. Anti-lock braking systems were originally developed for aircraft to allow them to safely slow down and stop quicker on landing, but quickly made their way into cars and use sensors to detect a locked-up wheel by comparing the rotational speeds of each wheel. If a wheel is locked up, the system eases brake pressure on that wheel, and re-applies it once traction is regained. This is why you may feel a pulsating sensation through the brake pedal when you brake hard. Modern anti-lock braking systems can pulsate individual brakes several times per second and work in conjunction with vehicle stability controls and off-road systems to enhance cornering abilities or provide better traction off-road. Signs You Need New Brake Pads & Rotors Manufacturers might set average life expectancies for brake pad and rotor changes, which are usually sufficient for the average motorist. However, that doesn't mean you should sit back and ignore any warning signs. The savvy motorist is ever-alert to the condition of their vehicle, and as with most vehicle systems, there are warning signs you should be aware of. Squealing or squeaking sounds from brakes Brake pads are engineered to make a squeaking or squealing sound when replacement time is nearing (not to be confused with the sound of squealing tires when you lay down some rubber on pavement). When you hear this sound, it's time for a brake pad replacement as if you ignore it, you may damage the rotors, and these are far costlier than pads to replace. Grinding sounds and pedal vibrations under normal brake application It's not uncommon to experience vibrations or pulsating at the pedal when you apply full emergency braking power, but if you're hearing grinding sounds and feeling vibrations under regular braking, it's time to check your pads and rotors. This could be a simple matter of some dirt having gotten between the rotors and pads or a more complex issue such as a warped rotor. Your car is telling you it needs a brake replacement Modern vehicles can even detect when their brake pads have worn down enough and need to be replaced and flash a message on your infotainment system. Don't ignore this, as it's a luxury that many older and less-sophisticated vehicles don't offer. You need to push the pedal more to stop Have you noticed that the amount you need to push the pedal to stop has been increasing over time? If so, it's time to have your brakes checked. While brakes are self-adjusting, there's a chance that the pads have been worn thin, the calipers are out of alignment or there's another issue in the brake system. Either way, checking can't hurt.
Best Replacement Brake Pads & Rotors Looking for OEM replacements or brake upgrade kits? We at 4 Wheel Parts carry a broad range of calipers, pads, rotors (discs), upgrade kits, and accessories for a myriad of vehicles, from brands such as Alloy USA, Baer Brakes, Crown Automotive, EBC Brakes, Hawk Performance, Jeep, Omix-Ada, Powerstop, Rough Country, Rugged Ridge, TeraFlex, Wilwood Engineering and more. If you're unsure what's suitable for your vehicle and usage scenarios, just talk to our friendly experts, and they will be glad to help. Brake Pads, Rotors & More at 4 Wheel Parts If your Jeep or other off-roader needs something to help it perform better, you can count on us at 4 Wheel Parts to have suitable products. With thousands of products across the interior, exterior, performance, suspension, brakes, tires, wheels, recovery products, lifestyle products – and basically anything off-road you can think of – we represent the best one-stop shop for all your off-roading needs. Pay a visit to one of our 90+ stores strategically located across the nation, or hit up the 4 Wheel Parts website and shop from the comfort of your home or office. Our six distribution centers work tirelessly to ensure that your products reach your doorstep quicker than what's expected for online shopping. Talk to our friendly experts if you need some advice, take advantage of our price matching policy to ensure you get the best value for your money and rest easy with our comprehensive warranties where applicable. You really can't go wrong with 4 Wheel Parts. |
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