Brakes and Traction Control: Description and Operation

Brake System

The brake system consists of the following components:

- ABS
- Brake pedal and bracket assembly
- Front disc brakes
- Master cylinder and fluid reservoir
- Mechanical parking brake system
- Rear drum brakes
- Vacuum-assisted power brake booster

The brake pedal is connected to the power brake booster, which is connected to the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake fluid is pushed through the doubled-walled steel tubes and flexible hoses to the front disc brake calipers and rear wheel cylinders. The brake fluid enters the brake calipers and wheel cylinders, forcing the caliper pistons, wheel cylinder pistons, brake pads and brake shoes outward against the brake disc and drum friction surfaces slowing or stopping the rotation of the wheels. When the brake pedal is released, brake fluid pressure is relieved, returning the caliper pistons, cylinder pistons, brake pads and brake shoes to the unapplied position.

For information on:

- the front disc brakes, refer to Disc Brake System.
- hydraulic brake actuation, refer to Hydraulic System, Brakes.
- parking brake actuation, refer to Parking Brake System.
- ABS, refer to Antilock Brakes / Traction Control Systems.
- the rear drum brake system, refer to Rear Brake Disc.
- the vacuum assisted power brake booster, refer to Power Brake Assist.