Brake Repair - What Should You Know?

A vehicle’s brakes can make all the difference between dangerous and safe driving. A responsible driver should have their brakes checked regularly, even if there are no problems. However, many driver's will take their brakes for granted until it is too late, and expensive brake repairs are unavoidable. Vehicle owners should know some typical brake repair indicators to help prevent costly repairs, and ensure the vehicle is always in safe driving conditions.

Replacing the brake pads is one of the most common brake repair issues. The brake pads are located between the calipers and the rotors. When the brake pedal is applied, the calipers press the brake pad against the rotors, which slows the wheel's momentum, and stops the vehicle. Although most brake pads are designed to last for up to 100,000 miles, they are made of an organic material that will wear down over time. In fact, brake pads come with a metal indicator tab that will scrape against the rotors when the pads are thin and need to be replaced. Anytime the brakes are applied, and there is a slight squealing noise, the brake pads should be checked, and replaced if necessary. According to most vehicle manufacturer specifications, the brake pads should be ten to twelve mm thick for proper operation of the brake system. The brakes will operate efficiently enough for quite some time in this condition. However, if it is not addressed in a reasonable time, it will take longer to stop the car, and the rotors could become stripped and warped from the constant contact with the metal indicator tab.

Many mechanics will recommend replacing both the pads and rotors at the same time, which can be a large added expense to a relatively inexpensive job. Resurfacing the rotors is less expensive, and just as good as getting new rotors. Many auto shops will offer this service using specialized equipment to shave some of the metal surface of the rotors to provide a more even finish. Unfortunately, resurfacing is less effective for newer cars, because the rotors are lighter and slimmer, making their lifespan much shorter if the brake pads are allowed to wear too thin for too long. However, the rotors in older cars are enduring, and damage is dependent upon driving habits and the quality of the parts.

A vehicle braking system is the most important operating system in a vehicle. However, many vehicle owner's will take this for granted until there are expensive repairs, and the car is not longer safe to operate. The best way to avoid some of these costly repairs is to pay attention to how the system sounds and feels when driving the car. A squealing sound is one of the most common indicators that the brakes should be serviced. If serviced within a reasonable amount of time, there will be no added expensive and time lost off the road.