Brake Parts Catalogue – Types of Brakes
The brakes used for regular driving use brake pads to stop the rotation of the car’s axels. But there are other types of brakes used on vehicles.
Emergency brakes
The emergency brake system, better known as parking brakes, is an independent system not powered by hydraulics. Unlike driving brakes they do not have a continuous range of operation; they are either fully on of fully off. Mostly used when parking a car they are also used should the main breaks fail, hence the name ‘emergency brakes.
Anti-lock brakes system (ABS)
Anti-lock brakes are a more recent invention, a safety feature equipped on most newer vehicles. They are an advanced modification of the regular driving brakes that prevents skidding problems. When skidding is detected the braking pressure is pulsed on and off. This pulsing improves vehicle control and stability while significantly decreasing the time taken for the car to stop.
Fail safe concept.
We understand the risk of brakes that don’t work – we want to stop but find we cannot. A fail-safe system is designed to prevent this. If the fail-safe system is compromised (i.e. not working) the vehicle defaults to stop. More specifically, it won’t start moving in the first place.
Fail-safe brakes are best known on trains. Hydraulic pressure must be applied for the brakes to be turned off. If the system is powered down or damaged the train is locked in position. Lifts, hand-carts and lawnmowers may use the same principle; without power, without somebody holding the controls, the vehicle automatically stops.
ICER Oceania has parts for all car driving brakes. Our brakes part catalogue has pads for all modern makes of car.
