- Pedal
- Booster
- Master cylinder
- ABS unit
- Lines and hoses
- Caliper or wheel cylinder
- Pads or shoes
- Rotor or drum
Brakes
Pressing the pedal pushes fluid from the master cylinder through lines and hoses to the calipers or wheel cylinders. Calipers squeeze pads against rotors, and wheel cylinders push shoes against drums. A booster adds force, and the anti-lock system controls pressure at each wheel to prevent lockup. Parking brakes may be cable-operated or electric.
Common parts
- 1Brake pads in ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic compounds
- 2Brake rotors and drums
- 3Brake shoes and hardware kits
- 4Calipers, caliper brackets, and wheel cylinders
- 5Brake hoses and lines
- 6Master cylinders and power brake boosters
- 7ABS modules and wheel speed sensors
- 8Pad wear sensors, parking brake cables, and electric parking brake motors
- 9Brake fluid
Finding the right fit
Many models offer more than one brake package. A towing package, a heavy-duty option, or a sport trim can change rotor size and caliper type. Check rotor diameter, or the code on the parts tag in the glove box or door on some trucks, before ordering. Pad compounds trade noise, dust, and heat tolerance. Replace pads and rotors in axle sets, not one side.
Wheel bearings and hubs
Wheel bearings let the wheel spin with little friction. Many newer vehicles use a sealed hub assembly that bolts on, and some still use bearings pressed into the knuckle. Hub assemblies often carry the ABS tone ring or sensor.
Common parts
| Ref | Part group |
|---|---|
| BR-01 | Hub and bearing assemblies |
| BR-02 | Press-in wheel bearings |
| BR-03 | Tapered roller bearings, races, and seals |
| BR-04 | Wheel studs and lug nuts |
| BR-05 | Spindle nuts and axle nuts |
Signs of trouble
A hum or growl that rises with road speed, and often changes when you steer left or right, is the classic sign of a worn bearing. Play when you rock the wheel at the top and bottom, or an ABS light, can also point at a hub.
Finding the right fit
Hubs differ by drive type, brake package, and ABS design, including tone ring tooth count. Many listings ask for front or rear, and left or right. Press-in bearings need a press or the right tool to install without damage.
Symptom to part
| What you notice | Usually points at | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| High squeal | Pad wear indicator | Measure pad thickness |
| Grinding | Pads worn to the backing plate | Stop driving and inspect rotors |
| Pulsing pedal | Uneven rotor thickness | Measure rotor runout and thickness |
| Pull to one side when braking | Sticking caliper or collapsed hose | Compare pad wear side to side |
| Hum that rises with speed | Wheel bearing | Listen while steering gently left and right |
Brake pad compounds
Ceramic
Quiet with light dust; a common choice for daily driving
Semi-metallic
Handles heat well for towing and heavier vehicles; more dust and noise
Organic (NAO)
Soft and quiet; tends to wear faster
Before you order
Start with the year, make, model, and engine, then narrow it down with the trim, drive type, and any option the part depends on. The VIN is the most reliable way to do that, because many parts catalogs and dealer counters decode it to the exact build. If the old part is in hand, its original-equipment number is the best cross-reference. Aftermarket brands publish their own numbers and usually list the original number they replace. Two listings that both say they fit can still differ, so compare the photos, connectors, mounting points, and the notes in the listing. The find the right part guide covers this step, and the all makes reference lists each maker’s official parts catalog.
Once you know the part number, compare the same number across stores. Look past the first price at the core charge, shipping, the return window, and what the warranty covers and who honors it. A remanufactured part, a new aftermarket part, and an original-equipment part can each be the right choice, but they are not the same purchase. The compare prices and warranties guide walks through what to read. Prices on PartIndex carry the date they were recorded, so confirm the current price and fitment with the retailer before you buy.
Brakes are a safety system. Support the vehicle on stands, use new hardware where the maker calls for it, torque wheel lug nuts to the specification in a star pattern, and test the brakes at low speed before driving normally. Brake dust can be harmful to breathe, so clean it with a wet method or brake cleaner rather than compressed air. If you are unsure, have a shop do it.