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All About Brake Shims and Backing Plate
Brake shims are thin layers of rubber or metal that is installed between the brake pads and the rotors to set right the small imperfections that cause brake noise. And they have a similar function of that of a shim in a cabinetry. Brake shims work much the same way to adjust otherwise normal brakes.
On the most basic level, for many new vehicles with new brake parts, brake shims function as anti-rattle pads. They keep the pads and rotors from banging against each other or squealing. Some brake part kits come with the shims already attached to the brake pads; some come with separate shims that have adhesive backings, which need to be affixed to the back of the brake pads. Other shims must be purchased separately and attached to the pads with double-sided tape.
Brake shims are easy to use and install, and they can make a huge difference in the way that the brake parts work jointly. While most are of rubber, it is possible to upgrade to something like titanium brake shims is a good option for a brake shim upgrade. Brakes are tested under extreme conditions. Titanium brake shims work as heat shields to maintain braking power.
Brakes get real hot when they are under stress. Just think how hot the brake parts on a racecar get when coming out of a straight stretch to enter a corner. The heat produced out of the friction of the hard-working brakes can actually boil the hydraulic brake fluid, which even further reduces stopping power. That's where titanium brake shims come in.
Titanium brake shims work similar to heat shields to prevent the heat of the braking effort from affecting the other brake parts. Titanium alloy is used in the brake shims often in order to keep costs down, as titanium can be very expensive.
While rubber brake shims can be stuck to the back of brake pads using two-sided tape, titanium brake shims are usually secured by alternate means. They often have holes at the top and thread onto the caliper pins. They still fit between the brake pads and the rotors, but they function less as noise dampeners and more as heat shields.
For a longer life for brake parts and fewer brake fluid changes - it is advised to keep the brake parts as cool as possible.
One of the most common maintenance jobs performed on any vehicle is replacing the brakes. The brake backing plates are the most important of them all.
On the most basic level, for many new vehicles with new brake parts, brake shims function as anti-rattle pads. They keep the pads and rotors from banging against each other or squealing. Some brake part kits come with the shims already attached to the brake pads; some come with separate shims that have adhesive backings, which need to be affixed to the back of the brake pads. Other shims must be purchased separately and attached to the pads with double-sided tape.
Brake shims are easy to use and install, and they can make a huge difference in the way that the brake parts work jointly. While most are of rubber, it is possible to upgrade to something like titanium brake shims is a good option for a brake shim upgrade. Brakes are tested under extreme conditions. Titanium brake shims work as heat shields to maintain braking power.
Brakes get real hot when they are under stress. Just think how hot the brake parts on a racecar get when coming out of a straight stretch to enter a corner. The heat produced out of the friction of the hard-working brakes can actually boil the hydraulic brake fluid, which even further reduces stopping power. That's where titanium brake shims come in.
Titanium brake shims work similar to heat shields to prevent the heat of the braking effort from affecting the other brake parts. Titanium alloy is used in the brake shims often in order to keep costs down, as titanium can be very expensive.
While rubber brake shims can be stuck to the back of brake pads using two-sided tape, titanium brake shims are usually secured by alternate means. They often have holes at the top and thread onto the caliper pins. They still fit between the brake pads and the rotors, but they function less as noise dampeners and more as heat shields.
For a longer life for brake parts and fewer brake fluid changes - it is advised to keep the brake parts as cool as possible.
One of the most common maintenance jobs performed on any vehicle is replacing the brakes. The brake backing plates are the most important of them all.
Brake plates are stamped steel plates upon which the wheel cylinder is mounted and the brake shoes are attached; metal plates that serve as the foundation for the brake shoes and other drum brake hardware.
And so, the brakes would have nothing to hold on if not for the backing plates, the brakes would have nothing to hold on to. In order for friction to stop the vehicle, the brake shoes must be firmly fixed - that's where this particular brake part comes in.
There can be some confusion around the term "backing plate," as it can also refer to a part used in disc brake systems. The brake shoes in those systems have a backing plate to which the friction surface is glued or riveted. They are shaped like commas, whereas the brake backing plates found in drum brakes look more like shallow dishes with holes used for fasteners.
Now that we know where the backing plate is located and what it looks like, let's find out a little further at the function of backing plates.
The function of backing plates is to hold the braking system together so it can work properly. With drum brake systems, each wheel has two curved brake shoes mounted on the stationary backing plate. The brake shoes are shaped like the letter C with friction material on the outside curve. They're attached to either side of the brake plate. This assembly is, in turn, mounted inside a cast-iron drum that rotates along with the wheel. Springs hold the brake shoes in place so they don't contact the drum when the brakes aren't active.
When the driver pushes down on the brake pedal, this places pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the brake lines. At the top of the backing plate is a wheel cylinder containing two pistons, one at either end. The pressure from the brake fluid enters the wheel cylinder and forces the spring-loaded pistons to move outward from the wheel cylinder, pushing the brake shoes against the inside of the brake drum.
The friction material on the outside edge of the brake shoes coming into contact with the inner surface of the brake drum is what stops the car. But without the stability and function of brake plates keeping all of these brake parts in place and taking the brunt of the braking force, none of it would work.
And so, the brakes would have nothing to hold on if not for the backing plates, the brakes would have nothing to hold on to. In order for friction to stop the vehicle, the brake shoes must be firmly fixed - that's where this particular brake part comes in.
There can be some confusion around the term "backing plate," as it can also refer to a part used in disc brake systems. The brake shoes in those systems have a backing plate to which the friction surface is glued or riveted. They are shaped like commas, whereas the brake backing plates found in drum brakes look more like shallow dishes with holes used for fasteners.
Now that we know where the backing plate is located and what it looks like, let's find out a little further at the function of backing plates.
The function of backing plates is to hold the braking system together so it can work properly. With drum brake systems, each wheel has two curved brake shoes mounted on the stationary backing plate. The brake shoes are shaped like the letter C with friction material on the outside curve. They're attached to either side of the brake plate. This assembly is, in turn, mounted inside a cast-iron drum that rotates along with the wheel. Springs hold the brake shoes in place so they don't contact the drum when the brakes aren't active.
When the driver pushes down on the brake pedal, this places pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the brake lines. At the top of the backing plate is a wheel cylinder containing two pistons, one at either end. The pressure from the brake fluid enters the wheel cylinder and forces the spring-loaded pistons to move outward from the wheel cylinder, pushing the brake shoes against the inside of the brake drum.
The friction material on the outside edge of the brake shoes coming into contact with the inner surface of the brake drum is what stops the car. But without the stability and function of brake plates keeping all of these brake parts in place and taking the brunt of the braking force, none of it would work.
