

                                  BRAKES


                   Of the five operating systems in your car, the only
           system in your car that can kill you, if neglected, is the
           brake system.

                   When you step on the brake petal, the action causes
           a cylinder in the master cylinder to push brake fluid
           through the the small tubes called brake lines to the
           smaller cylinders in the wheels called wheel cylinders.

                   These cylinders are much smaller than the master
           cylinder. The wheel cylinders expand causing the brake
           shoes to push against the brake drum causing the brakes to
           be applied.

                   The same action happens with disk brakes accept the
           pressure is applied to disks instead of drums and the
           pressure is applied with brake pads to the brake disk
           instead of brake shoes to the brake drum.

                   The whole system is called the " Hydraulic Brake
           System ". This system is designed to operate with a minimum
           of parts and a very simple principle of hydraulics.

                   The shoes and or pads must be replaced when worn.
           Master cylinders wear out and can sometimes be rebuilt with
           kits purchased at an auto parts store.

                   If your brakes are working properly, the brake
           pedal should be a couple of inches from the floor when you
           apply your brakes.

                   If not there is a leak some where and air has
           replaced some of the brake fluid.

                   A wet spot on the inside of a wheel indicates a
           leaking wheel cylinder. These can be rebuilt also.

                   Sometimes a brake line will leak and should be
           replaced. These can be purchased at an auto parts store. Or
           a auto dealer if necessary.

                   Most cars have dual brake systems. This means that
           the master cylinder is divided into two compartments.

                   One compartment holds fluid for and controls the
           front wheel brakes, and the other compartment holds fluid
           for and controls the rear wheel brakes.

                   This is a good idea because if one system is
           disabled the other can still stop the car. If you notice
           that your brakes do not seem to be as effective as they
           were, maybe this is what is happening.

                   Countless lives have been saved because of the dual
           brake systems. To make sure you are using both front and
           rear systems, remove the cover from your car's master
           cylinder.

                   See if there is brake fluid in both compartments of
           the master cylinder. If one is low or empty chances are
           only one system is operating, and there is a leak in the
           other system.

                   Always use top quality brake fluid. Disk brakes
           require a different kind of brake fluid because of the
           higher operating temperature.

                   You can use disk brake fluid for drum brakes but do
           not use drum brake fluid for disk brakes because is not
           designed for the higher temperature.

                   Air causes brake fluid to oxidize and break down.
           Always keep a can of brake fluid capped.

                   The parking brake also referred to as the emergency
           brake. This brake locks on until released. Some cars have
           parking brakes have petals with a pull handle type release.

                   Others have lever type with a release button at the
           top. Most parking brakes operate on the drive shaft, and
           use a cable enclosed in metal covering.    END