Brake Repair: The Best Questions To Ask Your Mechanic

Jan 25
08:48

2011

Ace Abbey

Ace Abbey

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Brake repair is a very important automotive servicing task and an important step in car safety; here are some questions to ask your repairman in order to ensure the best in maintenance and personal safety.

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Brake repair is a crucial automotive servicing task and an important step in car safety. If a vehicle can’t stop efficiently,Brake Repair: The Best Questions To Ask Your Mechanic Articles it could cause devastation for the driver, his or her passengers and all others traveling on the road. It can even cause major damage to bystanders and property along the route. Here are some questions to ask your mechanic about this vital issue:

How do you know when you need new brakes? There are several ways to know if you need to have servicing or replacement of this auto component. It could be time to change them out according to your car owner’s servicing manual. Service schedules for every vehicle may differ depending on how the vehicle has been used. If climbing mountainous roads on a regular basis, toting trailers or commonly involved in stop-and-go traffic, the heavy use could mean replacing them more often. Other ways to know that a check up is in order is when there is screeching, grabbing or faulty response.

What is that screeching noise, anyway? Most disc pads have a wire which contacts the brake mechanism as it is close to becoming worn out. When you hear screeching, get the car checked out before the pads are completely worn away in order to curtail the replacement of many more expensive parts. The squealing may also be a result of dirt or debris in the mechanism and can be fixed with a simple cleaning.

What do pulsing brakes indicate? Pulsing may mean that the rotors have become warped. If the brake pedal is pulsing, get it checked out. The rotor of a vehicle must be made of a heavy duty material, such as cast iron, in order for it to withstand the heat and pressure that it will come up against. It must also be large enough to accommodate this action of the car or it will wear out before its time.

What does leaking brake fluid mean? Leaks could spell trouble in the master cylinder, reservoir, fluid lines, pistons and caliper. If there are leaks in this region, an auto owner should take the car to the mechanic right away in order to avoid major damage or safety issues. These components are crucial to effective halting as they move and amplify the force of your foot on the pedals which stop the wheels.

How does a tune up affect a car’s braking system? A poorly tuned vehicle may halt improperly due to vacuum line leaks. This will affect the vacuum booster at the master cylinder. Proper tune-ups are imperative.

What kind of training has your mechanic received? A well trained technician will be happy to discuss the experience, training and certifications that he or she has received. It’s best to have a tech who is highly experienced in this area servicing your brakes, as they are so important.

Is the shop locally owned and operated? When calling around to make an appointment, it’s a good idea to find out whether the repair shop in question is locally owned and operated. Local owners care about their community and are often the best bet in terms of customer satisfaction.

When a motorist needs brake repair service performed on their vehicle, asking the right questions will provide important answers. A competent mechanic will be happy to share his or her knowledge.