Which brakes do the foot brakes control?

[VTCommoDude]

This sounds basic, but I am getting different answers.

If you put your foot on the foot brakes, does it work the front, rear or both wheel brakes? Cars lean forward under braking, so Im guessing the front. So if your brakes are grinding, it is the front brake pads which need replacing?

Which does the handbrake work? Im guessing the rear brakes?

If you are not 100% sure, please dont answer. I have gotten so many answers from amateurs so far.

Thanks

[accentstencil]

All 4 brakes are operated by the foot brake. The hand brake operates the rear. You shouldn't take any more advice from the people who said just the front.

[lout]

Oh my God, now I am scared
The service brake works all four wheels in a working system
The front brakes apply harder to maintain stability
The parking brake only activates the rear brakes and on most disc brake rears will have a seperate set of drum brakes inside rotor

[TrikkBen]

oh god....

It depends on the brake bias as to what percentage of brake force is sent to front/rear. The brake pedal, when pushed, will put force on all 4 wheels (rotors) at the same time. In cars these days, the computer can detect a lock up and release pressure to suit (ABS- Anti-lock Braking System).

The handbrake is a completely different system, where the handbrake lever is connected to a cable running the length of the car to the rear wheels. Inside the rear rotors is a drum, where the 2 handbrake pads sit. When the lever it pulled up it pulls on the cable, applying outward pressure to the pads, therefore pushing them against the inner wall of the drum and causing the car to be locked into place... (or initiating a drift but watever)

[MikeCuzzy]

Pedal = all brakes, handbrake = rear only.

If your car is dipping down a lot, it's quite possible your suspension is need of replacement. As you say, if there is grinding or squealing, your pads may be due for replacement - but not always, Holden pads squeak after about 2 weeks of use lol.

[BlackVXGTS]

All 4 brakes are operated by the foot brake. The hand brake operates the rear. You shouldn't take any more advice from the people who said just the front.

That's correct normally. The exception is when you have a brake failure that causes a total loss of brake fluid eg. through a leaking brake hose. On Commodores the brake master cylinder is a split system for the front and rear. If you lose brake fluid through a front hose, the rear brakes will still work (but very poorly since most of the braking is performed by the front brakes) and if you lose brake fluid through a rear hose the front brakes will still work. By comparison, on front drive Mitsubishi cars, one part of the master cylinder contains fluid for the left rear/right front and the other part for the right rear/left front brakes. This difference also affects the sequence in which you bleed the brakes.

[TrikkBen]

That's correct normally. The exception is when you have a brake failure that causes a total loss of brake fluid eg. through a leaking brake hose. On Commodores the brake master cylinder is a split system for the front and rear. If you lose brake fluid through a front hose, the rear brakes will still work (but very poorly since most of the braking is performed by the front brakes) and if you lose brake fluid through a rear hose the front brakes will still work. By comparison, on front drive Mitsubishi cars, one part of the master cylinder contains fluid for the left rear/right front and the other part for the right rear/left front brakes. This difference also affects the sequence in which you bleed the brakes.

That is circumstantial and therefore useless.

[Sabbath']

It's scary that people are getting behind the wheel without understanding how the car operates. I know alot of people do. But there are certain basics that should be understood before setting off.

Foot pedal operates all 4 wheel brakes. Handbrake operates a banksia style setup within the rear rotor. There is more bias towards the front brakes, add this to inertia and this is why the front of the car dips under braking. Your front brakes will normally wear at a greater rate because of this.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Pretty much as above, but the front dips because of weight transfer. There is more brake pressure applied to the front wheels because that is where most of the weight of the vehicle is when the brakes are applied. When the car is stationary, there is more weight on the front wheels than the rear, but this increases substantially when the brakes are appied while moving.

If your brakes are grinding, it is most likely the fronts as these do wear faster than the rears, but you should be able to hear where the noise is coming from. If you can't tell, then use that other sense you have called sight and look at the rotors to see which ones are not smooth and shiny. The ones that aren't smooth and shiny will be the ones that are grinding. (Or more commonly referred as metal on metal)

[troykinsvt]

all 4 , you have a clear answer now, its roughly 60/40 front been more dependant ...until it locks up if you dont have abs.then it turns to 40/60 so you can still steer.. , may also depend on the car aswell got a hydraulic handbrake in the pulsar for some handbrakies....meant to be set at 800pound or some crap...