Your vehicle’s brake system has one job – stop your vehicle.
Your car's brakes work hard. And the job they do is critical to your safety.
That's why it's so important for you to be aware of how your brakes work,
and to be alert for signs that your brakes need maintenance.Here's
an overview of braking systems, and tips to help you know when
it's time for brake service. No matter what your brake system needs,
Precision Alignment and Tire is here to help make sure your car is functioning.
Today's braking systems are composed of a number of integral parts all working
together to ensure that your vehicle stops properly. Generally speaking,
by depressing the brake pedal, you are telling the master cylinder to compress
brake fluid, which in turn sends hydraulic pressure through brake lines
that activate your vehicle's brake pads (or shoes). These pads (or shoes)
then make contact with spinning rotors (or drums), slowing down or stopping
the vehicle. More complex systems use sensors to activate the brake system,
but the net desired effect is the same.
The parts that make up your vehicle's brake system wear down over
time and eventually need to be replaced. The most common brake repair performed
is the replacement of brake pads (or shoes). Whether composed of ceramic,
semi-metallic, or organic materials, brake pads erode each time you depress
the brake pedal. If the pads wear down too much without being replaced, the
metal housing for the pads will make contact with the metal rotors (or drums),
which may produce not only a safety issue but a situation where the rotors/drums
are required to be replaced as a result of the prolonged contact
of metal parts without the pad buffer.
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Click image for larger view
But it takes several key components to deliver that singular end result.
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When brakes need a mechanic's attention, they usually give certain warning signals.
Signs of brake problems
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A low or spongy pedal, which can mean there’s air in the hydraulic system .
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A red brake-warning light that could indicate an imbalance in the system .
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An amber brake-warning light that could signal a problem with the ABS system .
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Continuous squeals and grinding sounds – these may mean it’s time for new brake pads or shoes .
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A low or spongy pedal, which can mean there’s air in the hydraulic system .
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Brake fluid level is low .
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The vehicle pulls to one side during braking .
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The brake pedal pulsates and (or) the vehicle vibrates during braking (mostly you can feel it from the steering wheel) .
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The brakes drag (the car does not roll freely) .
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Smell of burnt brakes .
Maintenance Tips
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Check brake fluid level every 5,000 miles .
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Check friction material every 15,000 miles .
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Check brake cables every 15,000 miles .
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Change brake fluid 30,000 miles .
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When doing a complete brake job, refinish rotors and drums,
replace brake pads or shoes, inspect, clean and repack wheel
bearing and replace grease seal.
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With a second brake job, replace calipers, wheel cylinders and brake hardware .
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Always replace pads with the same type of friction material (organic or semimetallic) .
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Replace brake drums or rotors if they are under minimum specifications .
Brake pad and rotor thickness –
worn pads or rotors that are too thin cannot dissipate the extreme heat produced during braking.
Brake shoe and drum diameter –
worn shoes or drums not only dissipate less heat, they can cause greater brake pedal travel .
These conditions can cause longer stopping distances and difficult stopping in an emergency situation. Rotors and drums that are too thin
may even become over-stressed and break.
Remember, any time you notice any of these or other symptoms it's a good idea to have the brakes checked. In fact, we recommend that you
have them inspected once a year.
