 The  

system  consists  of  one  master  cylinder connected by pipes and flexible tubing to the
wheel cylinders. The wheel cylinders control the movement of the brake shoes at each wheel.
When the brake pedal is depressed, the hydraulic fluid forces the pistons in the wheel cylinder
against the brake shoes, forcing the shoes against the brake drum or brake discs stopping the
wheels.

 The master cylinder is a reservoir for the brake fluid and  contains  pistons  and  valves  which
change mechanical force to hydraulic pressure when the brake pedal is depressed, as shown in
figure 3-43. The pressure on the brake pedal moves the piston within the master cylinder to
force the brake fluid from the master cylinder through tubing and flexible hoses to the wheel
cylinders.As pressure on the pedal is increased, greater hydraulic pressure is built up within the
brake cylinders, and thus greater  force  is  exerted  against  the  ends  of  the  brake shoes.
When pressure on the pedal is released, the retracting springs on the brake shoes return the
wheel cylinder pistons to their released positions. This action forces the brake fluid back through
the flexible hose and tubing to the master cylinder