True or False: Brakes

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to brakes. Some of these myths are harmless, but some could cause you to act rashly. There have certainly been instances where drivers threw a bunch of money at a repair that probably wasn’t necessary.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled some truths and myths regarding brakes. After reading the article, you should have a better understanding of whether you should be visiting your local brake repair shop in Albany, New York.

Brake Pads are Responsible for All Brake Noise: False

Whenever I used to drive around with my grandma, she’d always blame the screeching sound on her brake pads. Sorry to stay, grandma may have been wrong.

As Andrew Markel of BrakeandFrontEnd.com explains, the brake pads will indeed vibrate, but it’s the transference of the vibration that determines which kind of sound you’ll hear. This vibration can be tamed if a technician “isolates” the pads with lubricants, shims or any other restoration product.

As the writer notes, the irritating noise could more likely be attributed to the change in friction material, as “a “consistent” friction material causes less vibrational excitation variation at the friction coupling by having consistent brake torque at environmental extremes of humidity and temperature.”

Other sources of “high frequency” noise could be the caliper, rotor, or bracket, while sources of “low frequency” noises could be from the struts, knuckles or body of the car.

The Power Generated by the Brakes Consistently Tops the Power Generated by Engines: True

In regards to automobiles, you often associate power with engines. A lot of car enthusiasts obsess over a vehicle’s horsepower, and the amount of power the car is able to produce is occasionally a determining factor during a car search.

Believe it or not, the power generated from brakes tops even the most powerful engine on the road. As motorcare.com.au explains, the braking system on a “modest family car” can generate power that exceeds 500bhp. Not many engines on the road would come close to touching that spec.

As people naturally take their brakes for granted, they would assume that they’re a lot less volatile than other parts of the vehicle. These brakes are able to withstand the elements (particularly an average operating temperature that reaches more than 650 degrees) due to a combination of “exceptional wear resistance, heat resistance, and exceptional stopping capabilities.”

Brake Hoses Can Lead to Dragging Brakes: True and False

This one is more false, in fact. The legend states that when the inner liner of a brake hose is damaged, it creates a flap or “check valve” in the line. This would subsequently prevent the pressure from being released at the caliper. As BrakeAndFrontEnd.com explains, the theory’s origins likely go back to when vehicles had brakes that were stuck to only an individual wheel.

However, as the website notes, a “flap” would not create an “internalized flap.” Instead, the entire liner would be likely to fail, resulting in the braking fluid reaching the soft outer liner. After this, the hose would fill up and eventually burst.

The website suggests other reasons why the brakes could drag, including a stuck emergency brake, caliper slides or an issue with the metering/combination valve.

No one expects a casual driver to understand every working part of their vehicle. However, if you can pinpoint where an issue is coming from, or if you can understand when something may not be working, it could save you time, effort, and money in the long run.

If you actually do have a brake issue, bring your car down to DePaula in Albany, New York. The knowledgeable mechanics will get your car up and running in no time.