Mansfield Motors

Drum Brakes are often found only at the rear of the vehicle. Like the disc brake, the drum brake has two brake shoes and a piston. But the drum brake also has an adjuster mechanism, an emergency brake mechanism and lots of springs. When you apply the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder pushes the two pistons inside each wheel cylinder outwards to force the brake shoes against the drums and apply the brakes.. That's pretty straightforward, but why do we need all of those springs? This is where it gets a little more complicated. Many drum brakes are self-actuating. That is as the brake shoes contact the drum, there is a kind of wedging action, which has the effect of pressing the shoes into the drum with more force. The extra braking force provided by the wedging action allows drum brakes to use a smaller piston than disc brakes. But, because of the wedging action, the shoes must be pulled away from the drum when the brakes are released. This is the reason for some of the springs. Other springs help hold the brake shoes in place and return the adjuster arm after it actuates.

The two most common problems with brake drums are worn out brake shoes and leaking wheel cylinders. Because of their hidden location inside the brake drums, wheel cylinders cannot be visually inspected unless the drums are removed. Usually this leak is discovered during a service or when changing or adjusting the rear brake shoes, when drum removal reveals an unholy mess of wet brake shoe and brake dust along with more work than previously planned for. The moisture trapped in the brake fluid has literally eaten away at previously smooth walls of the wheel cylinder and brake fluid has escaped past rubber piston seal.

To prevent this situation from occurring in the first place regular brake fluid flushes are required. Corrosion won't ever take hold.

Disc Rotor Minimum Thickness:

Rotor Minimum Thickness is determined by the motor Vehicle Manufacturer during the initial vehicle design.
Continued operation at or below Minimum Thickness can lead to Brake system failure. As the rotor reaches its minimum thickness, braking distance increases, sometimes up to 4 meters! Disc Brake Rotor Minimum Thickness (also known as Scrap Thickness) is the minimum safe working thickness of a rotor at which it must be replaced. 

A brake system is designed to take kinetic energy and transfer it into heat energy. This heat energy is created by the driver when the brakes are applied. Driver foot force is boosted then converted into hydraulic pressure which forces the piston to move inside the caliper. The piston movement forces the brake pads in contact with the spinning rotor. Rubbing between the brake pads and the brake rotor generates heat which is then dissipated by convection (ie hot air rising from the surface of the disc rotor) into the atmosphere.

Some warning signs of brake problems are:

• Noises when brakes are applied
• Steering wheel shakes when brakes are applied
• Needing to add excess brake fluid to the reservoir
• Soft or squishy brake pedal Brake
• Pedal goes to the floor slowly while brakes are applied

Brake Fluid Most Vital, yet often overlooked.

The brake system of motor vehicles needs to be properly maintained. While many motorists are aware that their brake pads wear over time, many fail to realise that their brake fluid also degrades over time and needs to be regularly changed in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

Brake system contamination is inevitable due to the imperfect sealing of the system against moisture. Many brake problems can be traced to air or contamination of the hydraulic fluid. Leaks at fittings where lines and hoses connected to the master cylinder, callipers and or wheel cylinders can allow air to enter the system, as can corrosion through brake lines. Air can also appear after moisture gets into the fluid and boils, giving off steam. Two signs of air in the brake fluid are a noticeable decrease in brake performance and a spongy pedal that quickly and nearly effortlessly goes to the floor as air compresses easier than fluid.

I took my car to Mansfield Motors for the first time today. I am selling it and needed a Safety Certificate inspection done.

I was impressed at the really good customer service. My contact was with Kelly, at the front desk, she was super efficient, friendly and a credit to your business. (Kelly, if you get this email before anyone-else does, please ensure you show it to your boss!)

Your report on my car was positive, but I received more than my money's worth with your other checks and cleaning thrown-in at no cost. Thanks for such great service.

Please use this note of thanks in your testimonials if you want to.

Kind regards,

Les M
Mansfield 4122

When we relocated to Brisbane from Melbourne we were worried about finding a good mechanic. Look no further - we found Mansfield Motors. They are very professional and understanding. . They are a very knowledgeable group of mechanics who take the time to explain everything. They let you know what the repairs will cost before undertaking the work so that you don't have any nasty shocks when you go to pick up your car. We trust them completely and wouldn't take our car anywhere else. Nothing but a five star rating for this team. - Goss A&S

The professionalism and service at Mansfield Motors is second to none. I have always found Julian, Rebecca and the team to be honest and happy to answer any questions. I cannot speak highly enough of their service and attention to detail. I feel so fortunate to have found them and have total confidence in any mechanical work they do. - Tim L

Mansfield Motors are a pleasure to deal with. All their work they show you what the trouble is and also show what damaged parts they have pulled out. They are a honest business with the customer in mind. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. - Rhyll D

Honest, Straightforward, comfortable atmosphere. I felt very comfortable about asking any questions. I was not made to feel like any of my questions were silly. My overall feeling: This is a business I can trust! I brought my car in for an inspection - They inspected the car, wrote up their findings, outlining problems and defects. I was very impressed with the detailed explanations and they spent time with me making sure I understood everything. They were very thorough! Keep up the Good Work.

We feel lucky to have a skillful, knowledgeable mechanic who we can trust and count on. Finding these qualities in a mechanic is a like finding a good doctor. It really feels as if someone cares about our vehicles, as well as us. - Ian M