Principles of Operations

Principles of Operations
The brake system operates by transferring effort applied to the brake pedal by the driver to the brakes at each wheel.

The braking effort is distributed to each wheel, using a hydraulic system. The system is assisted using a vacuum brake booster that reduces pedal effort and increases hydraulic pressure.

The parking brake operates on the rear wheels and is applied using a hand operated control.

The rear drum brakes are of conventional design. They feature one primary and one secondary shoe with bonded thick/thin asbestos free linings. The thick/thin linings allow the shoes to wear at proportional rates. The brakes self adjust during foot brake operation.

The parking brake control is located between the front seats and operates the rear brakes through a cable system.

The master cylinder is of a tandem design and is linked to a brake booster to reduce the brake pedal effort. The tandem design will make sure that in the event of one brake circuit failure the other will remain fully operational. The master cylinder and brake booster are located on the same side as the steering wheel. The booster operating rod is connected directly to the brake pedal.

Vehicles fitted with the basic braking system have Pressure Conscious Reducing Valves (PCRVs). These are fitted between the master cylinder and the brake tubes to the rear wheels. The PCRVs control the hydraulic pressure applied to the rear brakes thereby reducing the risk of rear wheel lockup under braking.