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Brake Control Valve

A unit that sends a signal to the computer when the brakes are being applied.

Brake Cooling Duct

Brake Cylinder

That part in which a piston converts pressure to mechanical force for actuation of the brake shoes.

Brake Disc

The parallel-faced, circular, rotational member of a brake, acted upon by the friction material of the shoes.

Brake Disc Minimum Thickness

A term sometimes used to indicate disc minimum thickness.

Brake Dive

A term used for dive.

Brake Drag

A light, but constant, contact of the brake shoes with the drum or rotor, resulting in early failure due to excessive heat.

Brake Drum

The cylinder part that rotates with the wheel and surrounds the brake shoes.

Brake Drum Glaze

A brake drum with an excessively smooth surface that lowers friction and, therefore, efficiency.

Brake Equalizer

A device used in the parking-brake systems to equalize the pull of both rear-brake cables.

Brake Fade

Fade occurs when the brake fluid boils because the brakes have gotten too hot, usually from use over an extended period, often when coming down a long, winding grade. Brake fade results in a soft pedal feel and much less responsive brakes.

Brake Fanning

Applying and releasing the brakes in rapid succession on a long downgrade.

Brake Feel

A term relating to the driver's ability to determine the amount of braking force exerted or required during a stop.

Brake Fluid

The fluid that is pumped from a vehicle's master cylinder to its brakes to actuate them whenever the driver depresses the brake pedal. High-performance brake fluids are designed to have a higher boiling point than average fluids, and therefore will be more resistant to brake fade. Some companies offer high-performance synthetic or silicone brake fluids.

Brake Flushing

The removal of fluid from a brake system, washing out sediment by flushing with denatured alcohol or clean brake fluid, and refilling the system with fresh brake fluid.

Brake Grab

The sudden increase in the braking of a wheel, often caused by a contaminated lining due to a leaking wheel cylinder.

Brake Hop

A condition that occurs when the swing-arm length of the rear suspension is too short, causing the rear wheels to repeatedly leave the ground during braking.

Brake Horsepower (bhp)

A measurement of horsepower (ph) delivered at the engine crankshaft. A peony brake or an engine dynamometer is used to determine brake horsepower.

Brake Hose

A flexible tubular conduit for the transmission of fluid pressure in the brake system.

Brake Light Switch

An electrical switch, operated wither mechanically or hydraulically when the brakes are applied, that causes the brake lights to light up.