Posted on 11/6/2020
Disc brakes are called disc brakes because of the big metal disc – or rotor – that spins with the wheel. The brake pads rub against the rotor to slow the vehicle. In technical terms, the motion energy of the moving vehicle is transferred into heat energy by the brakes. The job of the rotor is to absorb that heat and dissipate it into the atmosphere. To do that effectively, the rotor needs a certain amount of mass (measured by the thickness of the rotor) and a good surface to mate with the brake pads. Let’s talk about those two things. First is the thickness. A new rotor is nice and thick. It can absorb a lot of heat and dissipate it effectively. Over time, the rotor will wear away slightly. If it wears away too much, there is not enough metal to take care of this heat transfer and the vehicle will not brake as well. In fact, each rotor is stamped with the minimum thickness the rotor must have. When the ... read more
Posted on 7/24/2020
Question: What is power brake service and why do CHICO drivers need to have it done?D AND E AUTO REPAIR Answer: Imagine: you pour a tablespoon of water in your hand and throw it as hard as you can. Now, suppose you suck up a tablespoon of water into a syringe, push the plunger and squirt it out. Which would go further? Of course it's the water squirting out of the syringe. That's because you pressurized the water. Your power brake system is kind of the same thing. When you step on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes brake fluid which actuates the brakes so you can stop. CHICO drivers who don't have enough pressure can't stop. A leak in your brake system would reduce – or even eliminate – your stopping power. Brake fluid attracts moisture which can cause leak-inducing corrosion. So a great way for CHICO drivers t ... read more