Brake Equipment History
Brake lathes, bleeders, drum and disc service tools and ABS-era equipment.
Who invented hydraulic brakes for cars?
Short answer: Malcolm Loughead (later Lockheed) is credited with developing hydraulic brakes in the early twentieth century.
Malcolm Loughead (later Lockheed) is credited with developing hydraulic brakes in the early twentieth century. The 1921 Duesenberg Model A was one of the first production cars with four-wheel hydraulic brakes.
When did hydraulic brakes become common?
Short answer: Hydraulic brakes became common in the 1930s as more manufacturers adopted them.
Hydraulic brakes became common in the 1930s as more manufacturers adopted them. Ford was a holdout and switched to hydraulic brakes for 1939.
What was the first American car with disc brakes?
Short answer: The 1949 Crosley Hotshot is often cited as the first American production car with disc brakes.
The 1949 Crosley Hotshot is often cited as the first American production car with disc brakes. Disc brakes became common in the 1960s and 1970s.
Why did brake lathes become standard brake shop equipment?
Short answer: Brake lathes machine drums and rotors to restore a smooth, true surface.
Brake lathes machine drums and rotors to restore a smooth, true surface. They became standard in brake shops during the decades when resurfacing was routine during brake jobs.
Why did on-car brake lathes come into use?
Short answer: On-car brake lathes machine rotors while they remain mounted on the hub.
On-car brake lathes machine rotors while they remain mounted on the hub. They came into use to correct runout caused by hub and rotor stack-up, which became a common source of pedal pulsation complaints.
How did brake bleeding equipment evolve?
Short answer: Brake bleeding began as a two-person job, with one person pumping the pedal while another opened the bleeder.
Brake bleeding began as a two-person job, with one person pumping the pedal while another opened the bleeder. Pressure bleeders and later vacuum bleeders let one technician do the job, and ABS systems added scan tool procedures.
Why did rear disc brakes require new caliper piston tools?
Short answer: Front caliper pistons could often be pushed back with a C-clamp.
Front caliper pistons could often be pushed back with a C-clamp. Many rear disc calipers with integrated parking brakes required turning the piston to retract it, creating demand for caliper wind-back tools.
Why did flare nut wrenches become essential for brake work?
Short answer: Brake line fittings are soft and easily rounded.
Brake line fittings are soft and easily rounded. Flare nut wrenches grip more of the fitting while allowing the tool to pass over the line, so they became essential tools for brake line work.
How did brake line flaring tools evolve?
Short answer: Brake lines need double flares or ISO bubble flares to seal properly.
Brake lines need double flares or ISO bubble flares to seal properly. Flaring tool kits evolved to handle both types, especially as more European and Asian vehicles appeared in shops.
Why were brake drum gauges standard in brake shops?
Short answer: Brake drum gauges measure the inside diameter of a drum to determine whether it can be machined or must be replaced.
Brake drum gauges measure the inside diameter of a drum to determine whether it can be machined or must be replaced. They were standard in brake shops when drum brakes were used on most vehicles, and drums still carry a cast-in maximum diameter.
How did FMVSS 116 standardize brake fluid?
Short answer: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116 set U.S. requirements for motor vehicle brake fluids, including the DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 classifications.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116 set U.S. requirements for motor vehicle brake fluids, including the DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 classifications. It gave shops and parts makers common grades with defined boiling points, which is why brake fluid containers carry DOT ratings.
Why did brake fluid testers come into use?
Short answer: Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, lowering its boiling point.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, lowering its boiling point. Test strips, pens and boiling-point testers came into use so technicians could recommend fluid replacement based on measured condition instead of mileage alone.
How was the brake pedal depressor used in alignment work?
Short answer: A brake pedal depressor wedges between the seat and pedal to hold the brakes applied.
A brake pedal depressor wedges between the seat and pedal to hold the brakes applied. It was common in alignment work to keep wheels from rotating while caster was measured, and it also aided some brake service steps.
When did electronic parking brakes appear, and how did they change brake service?
Short answer: Electronic parking brakes spread on many vehicles in the 2000s and 2010s.
Electronic parking brakes spread on many vehicles in the 2000s and 2010s. They require scan tools or special procedures to retract the caliper pistons before pad replacement, which made brake service partly a diagnostic task.
Why did brake hose pinch clamps come into use?
Short answer: Brake hose pinch clamps temporarily close a flexible hose so fluid does not drain while a caliper or wheel cylinder is replaced.
Brake hose pinch clamps temporarily close a flexible hose so fluid does not drain while a caliper or wheel cylinder is replaced. They came into use to reduce fluid loss and air entering the system, though technicians must use smooth-jaw clamps to avoid damaging hoses.
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.