{"id":2576,"date":"2024-03-05T15:35:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/encyclopedia\/brake-cylinder\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:51:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:51:45","slug":"brake-cylinder","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/brake-cylinder\/","title":{"rendered":"Brake Cylinder"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Brake cylinders are central components of hydraulic braking systems<\/h1>

Hydraulic brakes have become standard for service brakes in cars and motorcycles. Only parking brakes are still designed with mechanical cable solutions. Brake cylinder<\/a>s are central components of hydraulic braking systems. <\/p>

Position and Function of Brake Cylinders<\/h2>

A vehicle always has as many brake cylinder<\/a>s as it has wheels, plus at least one. A distinction is made between wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s and the master brake cylinder<\/a>. <\/p>

The master brake cylinder is located on the brake booster<\/h3>

This doubles the muscle power arriving from the pedal. For this purpose, a permanent vacuum is generated in the brake booster. When the braking process is initiated, normal air pressure provides the desired amplification. <\/p>

The master brake cylinder<\/a> consists of a simple piston that moves in a bushing with five openings. The main opening ensures the inflow of brake fluid. The four laterally mounted bores transmit the brake pressure to the wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s. The transmission of brake pressure occurs through largely rigid lines. Only shortly before the connection to the wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s does the rigid brake line transition into a flexible brake hose. However, this is only laterally movable. Internal reinforcement ensures that the brake hose cannot expand. <\/p>

Wheel Brake Cylinders in Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes<\/h3>

In disc brakes, wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s are located in the brake caliper. They have a large cross-section but only a few millimeters of travel. Via a deflection mechanism, the single-acting wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s press the brake pads located in the brake caliper against the brake disc on both sides with uniform pressure. <\/p>

In drum brakes, these components are designed as double-acting cylinders. They push the brake shoes apart, which then press against the inside of the brake drum. <\/p>

This achieves the desired deceleration.<\/p>

Brake Cylinder Defects<\/h3>

Brake cylinder<\/a>s in vehicles are exposed to high stresses. In addition to high pressures, weather, abrasion, and fluctuating temperatures contribute to the wear of brake cylinder<\/a>s. <\/p>

In the master brake cylinder<\/a>, the seals can fail over time. This severely reduces braking effectiveness, and the driver feels like they are pressing into “nothing.” <\/p>

In the wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s of disc brakes, penetrating dirt and corrosion can cause the pistons to seize. The driver notices this when the car pulls to one side during braking. <\/p>

Both driving situations are extremely dangerous. In such cases, vehicles should be safely parked and transported to the nearest workshop by a tow truck. <\/p>

Wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s of disc brakes and master brake cylinder<\/a>s can theoretically be repaired and overhauled. However, this is only worthwhile if there are problems with procuring replacement parts. This is the case, for example, with classic cars. <\/p>

Caution: Overhauling used brake calipers and master brake cylinder<\/a>s should only be carried out by qualified specialist companies!<\/p>

Wheel brake cylinder<\/a>s of drum brakes, on the other hand, are very small and therefore fundamentally designed as replacement parts. There are no possibilities for overhauling them. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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