Process Of Changing Wheel Cylinders PDF

Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders INTRODUCTION The brakes are an essential safety feature on a car. When a problem occurs with the brake wheel cylinder, it should therefore be replaced by an experienced mechanic and handled immediately. The brake system on today's modern vehicles is comprised of...

Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders INTRODUCTION The brakes are an essential safety feature on a car. When a problem occurs with the brake wheel cylinder, it should therefore be replaced by an experienced mechanic and handled immediately. The brake system on today's modern vehicles is comprised of highly evolved and efficient anti-lock braking systems, often applied through disk brake components. However, for most of the vehicles on the roads today, the traditional drum brake system is still used on rear wheels. The drum brake system includes multiple parts that must work harmoniously in order to efficiently apply pressure to the wheel hubs and slow a vehicle down. The brake wheel cylinder is the primary part that helps the brake shoes apply pressure to the inside of the drum, thereby slowing the vehicle down. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Unlike brake shoes or pads or the brake drum itself, the brake wheel cylinder is not designed to wear out. In fact, it's very rare that this component breaks or fails at all. However, there are times when the brake wheel cylinder can wear out sooner than expected. When you press the brake pedal, the master cylinder fills the wheel cylinders with fluid. Pressure created by this fluid is what activates the brake wheel cylinder to the brake shoes. Since the brake wheel cylinder is made from steel (on the outer cover) but rubber seals and components on the inside, it is possible for these internal components to wear out due to excessive heat and extensive use. When this occurs, they need to be replaced while servicing the brake drums; you should replace the old brake shoes and ensure all components inside the rear brake drum are also replaced at the same time. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Wheel Cylinders Function Your vehicle’s wheel cylinders are filled with brake fluid and connected to the brake master cylinder using high-pressure brake lines. For your brakes to work properly, the brake fluid needs to be clean, and the cylinders need to hold brake fluid regardless of the pressure in the lines. Pushing on the brake pedal actuates the master cylinder. The master cylinder increases pressure inside your vehicle’s brake lines. The pressure inside the wheel cylinder increases as well, which pushes its pistons outward into the brake shoes. Brake shoes create friction against brake drums, which brings the vehicle to a stop. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Symptoms of a Faulty Wheel Cylinder A bad wheel cylinder is often hard to spot because it’s inside the drum brake. However, here are some signs that something’s wrong with it:  Your car has poor brake response — you’ll find that braking takes longer  Your brake pedal feels mushy, soft, or the pedal sinks to the vehicle floor  There’s a brake fluid leak in your rear brake drum that pools near a rear wheel  The rear drum brakes drag or lock up  If you run into any of these problems, don’t drive your car. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Importance of Replacing Wheel Cylinders Replacing wheel cylinders is crucial for several reasons, all of which contribute directly to the safety and performance of a vehicle's braking system: 1. Braking Effectiveness: Wheel cylinders play a pivotal role in drum brake systems by applying hydraulic pressure to the brake shoes, causing them to press against the brake drum. A failing wheel cylinder can lead to reduced braking force, which compromises the ability of the vehicle to stop effectively and quickly. 2. Safety: Reliable braking is paramount to vehicle safety. A worn-out or leaking wheel cylinder can result in inconsistent braking performance, longer stopping distances, or even brake failure in extreme cases. This poses significant risks to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders 3. Prevention of Fluid Leaks: Wheel cylinders are sealed components that contain brake fluid under pressure. Over time, seals can deteriorate due to wear and exposure to heat and chemicals. A leaking wheel cylinder not only reduces braking efficiency but can also lead to loss of brake fluid, further impairing the braking system and potentially causing total brake failure. 4. Cost-effectiveness: Timely replacement of wheel cylinders can prevent more extensive damage and costly repairs. Ignoring issues with wheel cylinders may lead to damage to other brake components, such as brake shoes, drums, or even the brake lines, which would require more extensive repairs or replacements 5. Compliance and Vehicle Inspection: In many jurisdictions, vehicles must pass safety inspections that include brake system checks. A malfunctioning wheel cylinder can cause a vehicle to fail such inspections, leading to legal consequences and the inability to operate the vehicle legally on public roads. Smooth and Consistent Brake Operation: A new wheel cylinder ensures that the braking force is evenly distributed to both sides of the brake drum, promoting smooth and consistent braking. This improves driver confidence and control over the vehicle. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders Why Does the Wheel Cylinder Fail? Since a wheel cylinder contains so many moving parts, this hard-working component can fail for many reasons. Here are five of the most common ones: 1. Rubber Seal Failure: The wheel cylinder piston seal and dust boot are made of rubber. These seals become brittle with time and can fail with exposure to extreme heat or due to natural wear and tear. When they fail, your vehicle may have a brake fluid leak, and the hydraulic pressure will drop in the braking system, compromising your braking performance. 2. Worn Pistons: Pistons are meant to be a specific diameter relative to your cylinder bore size. However, with time, pistons can wear down and won’t fit snugly in the cylinder bore anymore. If this happens, there’s a risk of a piston seal leaking or the piston rocking, which can increase wear. Process of Changing Wheel Cylinders 3. Stuck Pistons: The cylinder bore is supposed to have a smooth surface. However, corrosion and pitting can develop in the cylinder bore due to exposure to moisture in the brake fluid, which can cause your piston to get stuck. Stuck pistons result in a drum brake that won’t release, creating major braking problems in your drum brake system. 4. Pistons that Slip Out of the Bore: Excessive brake drum wear can create enough space for pistons to slip out of the cylinder bore utterly. At this point, your drum brakes won’t work at all. 5. Cracked Cylinder Body: Older wheel cylinders can split and crack under pressure, leak brake fluid, and compromise function. Note: While it seems like a relatively simple component, replacing or fixing a bad wheel cylinder isn’t straightforward because of its location and how it works with the rest of your drum brake system.