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How Do My Brakes Work?

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It’s a sunny day and you’re driving down the road with your windows down and music turned up. All of a sudden, the car in front of you stops abruptly, causing you to slam on your brakes. Thank goodness your brakes worked perfectly, and you avoided a collision. Until this incident occurred you probably haven’t given your brake system much thought. Sure, you know your brakes should be inspected and serviced every once in a while… but how do they actually make your car stop with just a tap of the foot? How Brakes Work
 
When you really stop and think, you realize brakes are a pretty amazing invention. They have the power to bring a large, multi-ton machine traveling at 70 miles per hour to a complete stop with just a push of the pedal. This ability is all thanks to science! 
 
A moving car has a lot of kinetic energy, meaning “energy in motion.” To stop your car, your brakes must eliminate that kinetic energy. When you push your foot to the pedal, a connected lever will be pushed into a small cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid in its reservoir. This causes the hydraulic fluid to travel through a system of lines into other larger cylinders, or calipers, located by the wheel. When fluid enters the caliper, this pushes the caliper to actuate the brake pad against the brake rotor. When the brake pad and brake rotor meet, this generates friction which in turn slows down the outer wheel and tire… bringing your car to a complete stop! Simple, right? 
 
The brakes themselves are one of two types: disc brakes or drum brakes. Drum brakes appear similar to a drum, hence the name. Drum brakes have shoes located inside the drum which are pushed outward when you press your brake pedal. This causes the shoes to rub the inside of the drum and slow the wheel. Disc brakes operate a bit differently. Disc brakes use a metal rotor which spins with the wheel. When you push the pedal, a caliper squeezes the brake pads against the rotor and slows the wheel. This action is very similar to the one you would use to stop a spinning disc by squeezing it between your fingers!
 
The next time you drive your vehicle, take a moment to appreciate your brake system and the science used to bring your car to a halt with just the tap of a pedal. Take care of your brake system by having it inspected and serviced regularly by an experienced technician to ensure that when you need your car to stop, it will. 
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Auto Repair and Tire Service in Ruston, LA and El Dorado, AR

Disney and Store

Joe's Tire Service Tire Pros, Inc., is a family owned business that has served this community for over thirty-five years. Our mission has always been to offer you the latest in parts and products, at the best prices, and with unparalleled service. Here at Joe's, we strive to make your experience as hassle free as possible, from our pick and delivery service, to our quick and friendly staff, we want to get you back to your day as quickly as possible. If you need something extra don't be afraid to ask, if we can't do it, we will find someone who can. We pledge our best efforts to make your experience both beneficial and enjoyable. Once you try us, we're sure you'll be back for more! That's Joe's Tire Service Tire Pros, home of the quick tire change, just look for the buffalo.


We serve
  • El Dorado, Arkansas
  • Magnolia
We offer
  • Alignments
  • Brake Service and Repair
  • Custom Wheels
  • Nitrogen
  • Transmission Service
  • Suspension, Shocks and Struts
  • 24-hour Farm Service Calls
  • Lift, lowering and leveling
We carry tires from
  • Michelin®
  • BFGoodrich®
  • Uniroyal®
  • Continental Tire
  • General Tire
  • Kumho
  • Nitto
  • Nexen
As well as
  • Moog
  • Monroe shocks
  • Wagner brake pads

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Contact Us

Phone: (870) 862-7914
Fax: (870) 862-1097
Address: 609 E Hillsboro St
El Dorado, AR 71730
Phone: (318) 232-6485
Fax:
Address: 2120 Farmerville Hwy
Ruston, LA 71270
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Joe's Tire Service Tire Pros proudly serves the local Ruston, El Dorado, AR area. We understand that getting your car fixed or buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands, such as Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Uniroyal®, and more. We pride ourselves on being your number one choice for any auto repair. Let us earn your business. Schedule an appointment today.