Brake Repair and Your Truck

Because trucks are a more heavy-duty than cars, their brakes get a greater workout everyday. Your truck’s brakes need to be repaired properly to insure your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Most trucks have the same disc-braking system that other vehicles have. The rotors are the disc-shaped structure that fits up against the axle and wheel. When the braking pads apply pressure to the rotors, the truck comes to a stop. If your truck is four-wheel drive, your rotors and pads are getting the same use front and back. On front-wheel drive vehicles, usually the rotors and pads wear out first in front.

Your truck’s weight plays a large role in the workout given to your brakes. The larger and heavier your truck, the more friction it takes to stop. If you are driving highway speed and are forced to slam on your brakes, your braking pads and rotors require more friction to stop the vehicle. This means that you may need to have brake repair done more often than a smaller, lighter vehicle.

This everyday braking friction can cause the rotors and pads to wear. In some climates or for different types of usage, your brakes could age much faster. If you are using your truck to plow the snow in your driveway during the wintertime, for example, your brakes are likely to age much more quickly. This aging is due to type of use and possible moisture and salt being trapped in the rotor and pads, causing premature deterioration.

The best way to combat deterioration due to moisture or salt content is to spray wash your brakes, tires and wheel wells before parking your truck. This is specific to use in high salt content driving, like winter highway driving or snowplow driving. Salt used to melt snow can have a damaging effect on the body and brakes of your truck. Wash the salt off to prevent unnecessary brake repair.

When it comes to have your truck’s brakes repaired, make sure to take your vehicle to a mechanic that has familiarity with trucks. Although trucks braking systems are similar to cars, you will want the mechanic to feel comfortable with your truck. Check with the mechanic and make sure he or she feels confident in providing braking repairs to your vehicle.

If you are not sure where to take your truck , check with co-workers or neighbors that have trucks. They may be able to provide suggestions on where you can take your vehicle for maintenance services. They may also be able to assist you in repairing your brakes on your own, if you have the right equipment. Read up on brake repair if you decide to try to replace them at home.

Brake repair for your truck is important. Make sure that your heavy-duty vehicle is getting the right repairs.