Your vehicle’s braking system is the most important system on your vehicle – yes, even more so than the engine. Even if the engine is running, driving without functional brakes is not only dangerous—it’s irresponsible. Yocum Automotive’s certified auto technicians in Republic, MO can provide top-notch brake repair and service, whether you have disc brakes or drum brakes.
Every vehicle’s braking system consists of a brake on each wheel plus an emergency brake. Vehicles manufactured from 2012 and later must have the antilock braking system (ABS). While the United States didn’t mandate it until 2012, it was in use for decades by then.
Some trucks and older cars still use drum brakes. Each wheel with drum brakes has a wheel cylinder that presses the shoes against the drum. They often develop leaks and have to be changed almost as frequently as the shoes.
The drums are large round metal “dishes” that fit over the shoes on the wheel. When you step on the brakes, the wheel cylinders press the shoes against the drums to slow the vehicle.
Brake shoes are made of long, curved pieces of braking material attached to a metal backing plate. The shoes rub against the drums when you apply the brakes to cause friction to slow the vehicle.
The braking system uses vacuum and hydraulics to work the brakes. While the engine generates a vacuum, it’s not enough. The large round canister on the driver’s side firewall in the engine compartment is a vacuum booster, which creates the additional vacuum power brakes required to work properly.
