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You're on the highway, and the taillights of the vehicle in front of you suddenly illuminate. You slam your foot on the brake, and your own car squeals safely to a stop. All of this happens in an instant, and you probably never give a thought to how your brakes work. However, they are one of the most important safety systems on your car, so VanDemark Company, the leading salvage yard and used auto parts supplier in Amelia, OH, wants you to have a basic understanding of how your brakes function. In the sections below, they explain how pressing a pedal can stop your car so quickly.

How Do Car Brakes Work?

Hydraulics

Used auto partsThe mass and inertia of a moving vehicle are considerable, and it takes a great deal of force—more than the strength of your leg alone can provide—to bring a car to a stop. Therefore, your brakes use a system of "hydraulics," or pipes filled with fluid that transmit and multiply force. Your brake pedal moves a piston into a cylinder filled with brake fluid, and this in turn engages other moving parts.

Calipers & Brake Pads

The brake fluid in the cylinder travels through the brake line until it reaches another cylinder that controls a pinching mechanism called a caliper. Each arm of the caliper contains a brake pad, or a thin pad of friction-causing material that does the actual dirty work of stopping your car.

Brake Disc

Pressure from the brake fluid actuates the caliper and causes it to pinch, so that the brake pads press against either side of a rotating disc—also called a rotor—attached to the wheel of your car. Friction between the brake pads and the brake disc is what slows your car and eventually brings to a stop. Because brake pads wear out, it is not often practical to purchase them used. However, when in good condition, brake calipers and rotors are highly sought after used auto parts.

If your brakes need some attention, contact VanDemark Company in Amelia, OH. Their team of auto repair experts offers fast, reliable service, and their salvage yard provides a wide selection of affordable used auto parts. Visit their website for a map and directions, or call (513) 797-7278 to schedule an appointment.

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