Brake System
Regular brake inspections are required to keep the expense of brake repairs to a minimum. This is a system where repairs will become more expensive in a hurry when issues are neglected. Beware of shops who recommend much more than simple brake pad replacement and rotor resurfacing. This is a repair category where shops will frequently sell unnecessary parts. For some more good tips on brake repair, check out this link: MSNBC.COM
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 The typical brake system consists of disk brakes in front and either disk or drum brakes in the rear connected by a system of tubes and hoses that link the brake at each wheel to the master cylinder. Other systems that are connected with the brake system include the parking brakes, power brake booster and the anti-lock system. When you step on the brake pedal, you are actually pushing against a plunger in the master cylinder which forces hydraulic oil (brake fluid) through a series of tubes and hoses to the braking unit at each wheel. Since hydraulic fluid (or any fluid for that matter) cannot be compressed, pushing fluid through a pipe is just like pushing a steel bar through a pipe.
 The disc brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel. A brake disc (or rotor in U.S. English), usually made of cast iron or ceramic, is connected to the wheel or the axle. To stop the wheel, friction material in the form of brake pads (mounted in a device called a brake caliper) is forced mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromagnetically against both sides of the disc. Friction causes the disc and attached wheel to slow or stop..
 Drum brake has two brake shoes and a piston. But the drum brake also has an adjuster mechanism, an emergency brake mechanism and lots of springs. When you press the brake pedal, the piston pushes the brake shoes against the drum.
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