Wheel Cylinder
Encyclopedia
A wheel cylinder is a component in a drum brake
system. It is located in each wheel
and is usually at the top, above the shoes. Its responsibility is to exert force onto the shoes so they can contact the drum and stop the vehicle with friction
. What connects these wheel cylinders to the shoes are usually small rods shaped like a birds beak.
It is very similar to a master cylinder
and functions in pretty much the same way, consisting of just a simple little plunger on the inside. On older vehicles these will begin to leak and hinder the performance of the brakes, but are normally inexpensive and easy to replace.
The wheel cylinder consists of a cylinder that has two pistons, one on each side. Each piston has a rubber seal and a shaft that connects the piston with a brake shoe. When brake pressure is applied, the pistons are forced out pushing the shoes into contact with the drum. Wheel cylinders must be rebuilt or replaced if they show signs of leaking.
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
system. It is located in each wheel
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
and is usually at the top, above the shoes. Its responsibility is to exert force onto the shoes so they can contact the drum and stop the vehicle with friction
Friction
Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and/or material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:...
. What connects these wheel cylinders to the shoes are usually small rods shaped like a birds beak.
It is very similar to a master cylinder
Master cylinder
The master cylinder is a control device that converts non-hydraulic pressure into hydraulic pressure, in order to move other device which are located at the other end of the hydraulic system, such as one or more slave cylinders...
and functions in pretty much the same way, consisting of just a simple little plunger on the inside. On older vehicles these will begin to leak and hinder the performance of the brakes, but are normally inexpensive and easy to replace.
The wheel cylinder consists of a cylinder that has two pistons, one on each side. Each piston has a rubber seal and a shaft that connects the piston with a brake shoe. When brake pressure is applied, the pistons are forced out pushing the shoes into contact with the drum. Wheel cylinders must be rebuilt or replaced if they show signs of leaking.