If you have a car, you will probably have to pay for brake repair at some point. Learn the basic parts of this system so you know what you will eventually need to have repaired.
There are various parts of a car's braking system,
many of which need to be maintained and occasionally repaired. Before you pay for brake repair, get an idea of the parts involved. This may help you see what your mechanic is talking about when he or she explains the issue and the solution.
The master cylinder is the crux of the braking system, as the brakes and their respective tubes are connected to it. Sometimes, the master cylinder gets a leak, which can cause the pedal to sink down to the floor when you try to stop the car. If you do not notice this issue when putting pressure on the pedal, your dashboard lights should warn you. Fortunately, this problem is often cheap to fix.
The pads have to be replaced occasionally as they get thin with use, so expect to replace them every few years. Once the pads wear all the way down as a result of you ignoring the squeaking noise, you will likely hear a grinding sound as metal rubs against metal. While this noise is annoying, the good news is you can stop it pretty cheaply since both the new pads and labor are often inexpensive.
If you let the pads thin out and stay that way for too long, you will end up damaging the rotors, as they get grooves and ridges in them. They would have to be replaced eventually anyway, but they become damaged sooner when the pads rub against them. These are slightly more expensive to fix, but you may be able to get them resurfaced instead, in some cases. This makes this type of brake repair a little more affordable.
You also have calipers in your braking system, as these pinch the pads when you stop the car. The calipers can lock up or leak fluid, causing damage or the inability for the car to stop. Therefore, you may have to pay for this kind of brake repair at some point, and it is often expensive.
Occasionally, you may need the fluid in your brakes to be flushed and refilled. While you can easily refill your own fluid, it is harder to flush it out. It is supposed to be mostly clear, so if it is dirty or black, you will need to have it flushed by the professionals for this system in your car to be at its best. This is not usually costly, though.
Maintaining your vehicle means you sometimes have to take it to an expert for brake repair. You should keep room in your budget for this if possible, but you may be able to work out a payment plan after getting a quote from nearby shop first. Of course, if you know anything about cars, or have friends who do, you might be able to save money by doing it yourself, so definitely consider this if it is a possibility. Otherwise, start saving up money to spend on repairing various components of your braking system at local shops.
