Brake System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The brake system has the following components:

Diagonal split hydraulic system
Fixed position foot pedal
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (4WABS). Refer to VEHICLE DYNAMIC SYSTEMS article.
Front brake discs utilizing a single piston floating brake caliper
Master cylinder
Mechanical parking brake system utilizing a drum-in-hat type brake within the rear brake discs
Rear drum brake system
Vacuum-assisted power brake booster

The brake pedal is connected to the power brake booster, which is connected to the brake master cylinder. When the brake pedal is applied, brake fluid is pushed through the doubled-walled steel tubes and flexible hoses to the front disc brake calipers and rear drum brake wheel cylinders. The brake fluid enters the disc brake calipers and drum brake wheel cylinders, forcing the caliper and cylinder pistons, brake pads, and brake shoes outward against the brake disc and drum friction surfaces, slowing or stopping wheel rotation. When the brake pedal is released, brake fluid pressure is relieved, returning the front disc brake and the rear drum brake systems to the unapplied position. The parking brake system uses the rear drum brakes and is self-adjusting.