Checking and renewing brake cables

Handbrake cable layouts vary from car to car, but have only a limited range of types of componen...

Renewing drum-brake shoes

Check drum brakes at least every six months, 6,000 miles or 10,000 km, or as recommended in the ...

Replacing a drum-brake wheel cylinder

Brake fluid is generally renewed when a leaking or sticking wheel cylinder on a drum brake is re...

Adjusting the brakes

A typical braking system uses disc brakes at the front of the car and drum brakes at the rear....

Renewing disc-brake pads

It is vital to know when disc-brake pads need replacing. Some makers state a minimum safe thickn...

Bleeding the brakes

Most car manufacturers recommend renewing the hydraulic brake fluid every 18 to 24 months. The fl...

Replacing a master cylinder and servo unit

If a master cylinder is leaking replace it. The cylinder is usually mounted on the bulkhead sepa...

Looking for leaks in the brake system

A spongy feel or increased pedal travel as you apply the footbrake could indicate a leak or air ...

Adjusting the handbrake

If you have tightened the brake shoes so that there is no excess travel before they come on, yet...

Replacing a handbrake cable

The handbrake on most cars is a mechanical linkage of rods and cables, operated by a lever on th...

Fitting new flexible brake hoses

The fluid in the car's braking system runs from the master cylinder to the brakes themselves mai...

Fitting new metal brake pipes

Checking the condition of your car's brake pipes is a job that is all too easy to forget because...

Adjusting a disc handbrake

Most cars are still fitted with drums on the back wheels with the handbrake operating directly o...

Checking the brake light circuit

As well as being a legal requirement, it is also an essential safety measure that your brake lig...