Electric scooter brakes: how do they work and how to repair

Electric scooter brakes: how do they work and how to repair them?

Before writing this article, I have never carefully considered all the different types of scooter brakes and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. This article explains the different types of electric scooter brakes, and we answer some common questions related to the brake system of electric scooters.

Similar to cars, electric scooters can have disc brakes or drum brakes. On slower and cheaper models, you will find that foot brakes are also used.

Comparison of hydraulic brakes. Mechanical brake

Hydraulic and mechanical electric scooter brake disc and drum brakes are hydraulic or mechanical. When hydraulic disc brakes are used, braking is started by mechanical force-you pull the brake lever.

The piston then squeezes or compresses the hydraulic oil into the cylinder, creating pressure in the brake line connected to the brake assembly through the hose (much greater than the pressure you pull on the brake lever).

Inside the brake assembly, the hydraulic pressure is converted back to mechanical force, and the friction material of the disc or drum is pushed toward the disc or drum, and then the scooter is stopped.

For mechanical brakes, there is a cable extending from the lever down to the wheels. When you squeeze the brake lever, the length of the cable will shorten, thereby squeezing the caliper (in a disc brake). Or, activate a piston and push the brake shoes (in the drum) outward toward the braking surface, thereby slowing the scooter to a stop.

Disc brakes

Disc brakes on electric scooters
For disc brakes, there is a rotor that looks like a disc, which is connected to the wheel assembly and rotates when the wheel rotates. Some calipers have sacrificial brake pads (which can be replaced after wear). When pressure is applied to the brake, the brake pads will squeeze the rotor. This will cause the scooter to slow down and stop.

Drum brake

Drum brakes on electric scooters The drum brake system is usually enclosed in the hub of the scooter wheel. The drum is connected to the wheel and rotates with the wheel. When the brake lever is pulled, the sacrificial brake shoes are pushed outward toward the drum, causing the scooter to decelerate. One of the main benefits of installing drum brakes on a scooter is that the entire braking system is enclosed. This is better if you are riding in wet conditions, because it prevents water from entering the braking system. However, to be honest, I prefer disc brakes to drum brakes. For example, GoTrax G4 is an incredible scooter…except for drum brakes.

Disc brakes and drum brakes

Disc brakes and drum brakes on electric scooters Disc brakes are more effective than drum brakes (located in the hub). Therefore, it is most commonly used for electric scooters. You will also find that most electric scooters use mechanical disc brakes instead of hydraulic disc brakes.

However, hydraulic brakes are generally more effective because they can apply more force to the brake discs, allowing you to park in a shorter distance. One of the advantages of drum brakes in electric scooters is that because the entire braking system is closed, they have a slightly better braking effect in wet conditions.

However, drum brake systems are more difficult to repair or adjust, have moving parts, and cannot provide as much braking force as disc brakes in electric scooters.

Foot brake on electric scooter.

Foot brakes on electric scooters Many electric scooters have foot brakes on the rear wheels. The braking system consists of mudguards covering the rear tires. In order to apply braking pressure to the rear tires, you need to remove your feet from the deck, and then press your heels down on the rear fenders, creating friction on the tires and slowing down the scooter.

The braking force provided by the foot brake is almost inferior to that of a disc or drum brake. In addition, because the rear fender touches the tire, friction occurs, and the tread on the tire wears faster.

Another disadvantage of a foot brake is that it requires you to remove your rear foot from the deck of the scooter, which may cause you to lose stability. Normally, you will not find foot brakes on fast electric scooters.

Regenerative braking system on electric scooters

If you buy some of the fastest electric scooters, you will find that many of them are equipped with regenerative brakes.

The following is the working principle of the regenerative brake:

When you pull the brake lever of a scooter, the brake pads will cling to the rotor (for example in a disc brake), which can cause friction. The regenerative braking system on the scooter captures a small part of the kinetic energy generated during braking and converts it into usable electrical energy.

By recapturing this energy, it can be stored in the battery and sent back to the motor when you start to step on the gas pedal again. Although many manufacturers tout the regenerative braking advantages of their electric scooter models, they actually have little impact on the overall range.

Braking technology for electric scooters-professional measures

Braking Technology of Electric Scooter
If you have been riding for a while, you will know that the key to a quick stop on an electric scooter is to lean backwards-put your weight on the rear wheel while engaging the hand brake.

The reason for this is that, generally speaking, more than 70% of the braking force of a scooter is generated by the brakes on the front wheels. If you engage the brakes without leaning back, you run the risk of rushing forward, losing control, and getting over the handlebars. Obviously, this is not what you want to happen!

How do you fix the squeaky electric scooter brakes?

If you have an electric scooter, such as Shuangye S3, you may experience braking sound from time to time. For example, you may notice that the brake starts to squeak when you step on it. Not only is this annoying, but it can also cause security issues.

If the scooter does not stop smoothly, you may end up falling off the scooter and cause injury. So, why does the brake of an electric scooter squeak in the first place? How do you fix the squeaky electric scooter brakes? Check out some useful information below.

Why did the electric scooter brakes start to squeak?

If your electric scooter squeaks when braking, it’s important to understand why this happens. Some of the most common reasons that the brakes of an electric scooter may start to squeak include:

Your new brake pads may not be fully embedded in the scooter

If the brake is not designed properly, it may cause vibration, which can cause a squeaking sound when you try to use the brake

There may be a source of pollution in the brake itself, and noise will be generated when you hit the anchor

There may be alignment issues between the brakes and the surface itself

After driving dozens of miles, if you start to notice the squeaking of the brakes of the electric scooter, pollution is the most likely cause. Some of the most common locations for this type of contamination include brake pads, rotors, or rims.

If you want to remove pollutants from the brakes of an electric scooter, you should follow the following steps.

How to fix squeaky brakes on electric scooters

If you are going to fix the squeaky brakes on your electric scooter, you need to remove any contaminants that are present. Therefore, the first thing you should do is to look at the rim.

Make sure that no dirt accumulates along them. If the rim becomes dirty, use a degreaser and scrub thoroughly. Then, look at the brake pads. Make sure they don’t have any dirty regrets.

Next, you need to make sure that your brake pads are not worn. If your brake pads wear unevenly, this may also cause the brakes to creak. This may also indicate that your brakes are not set correctly.

On disc brakes, you should make sure that the disc itself is free of dirt or dust. If you find this problem, you need to use a dry lint-free cloth (I recommend a microfiber cloth) to wipe all debris on the disc.

If your drum brake squeaks, you can remove the hub containing the drum and use a dust-free cloth to clean the drum surface and brake pads.

Fixed drum brakes can be trickier than fixed disc brakes. If you are not used to disassembling the brake system to clean these parts, it may be wise to contact a professional to help you repair the brakes.

After thoroughly cleaning the brakes, make sure that all bolts that secure the caliper to the frame are tightened. If the bolts are loose, this can also cause the brakes to creak.

Finally, make sure to lubricate the brake lines and any parts that may become dirty. Although, I don’t like lubricating brake discs or drums because it creates a smooth surface, which will cause your brakes to stop the scooter effectively. Therefore, make sure you are not lubricating the disc or drum.

What if they are still squeaking?

If you have done all of this and your electric scooter brakes still squeak, then they may not be set up correctly. First, apply the brakes. Then, look at the surface of the rim and brake pads. If you find that they are not properly connected, then you may need to loosen the mounting bolts and re-tighten the brake pads so that they evenly apply pressure to the brake disc (or brake drum).

If you find that you still cannot solve the problem, it may be time to contact a professional for help. The brake may need to be disassembled and reassembled.

How to repair electric scooter brakes

If you want to ensure a smooth and safe ride, then you need to take care of your scooter. This includes braking. Sometimes, you may notice that your electric scooter brakes start to squeak.

Usually, dust, grit or oil will accumulate between the brake and the surface. You can solve this problem by thoroughly cleaning the brakes. Make sure you also regularly lubricate the brake components. If the brake pads are worn, make sure to replace them.

If you interest in our electric scooter and have any other questions, please let us know in the comment section below.