Common Brake Repair Jobs

Brake repair is not a one-size-fits-all job. If your brakes are having trouble, and you take your car to the mechanic, you will quickly find that there are numerous different fixes for this particular system of your car. Determining what is wrong is the first step in getting the problem fixed and knowing how much it will cost. Sometimes you can guess on your own before you visit the mechanic based on what your car is doing, and other times you will need the eyes of a professional.

Pads

The pads on your brakes help cushion the rotor and the shoe, but they can wear down over time. When they begin to wear down, they need to be replaced. This is a very affordable fix, and sometimes is considered part of regular maintenance rather than actual repairs. Some people even feel confident in doing this job on their own. If you fail to replace your pads when they need it, then the shoe will rub against the rotor. This will cut down on the effectiveness of your brakes and cause damage that will be much more expensive to replace.

Rotors

The rotors, even with proper pads in place, do wear out over time. When they start to develop ridges and grooves, they need to be replaced. If you do not do this important brake repair job, you may end up with brakes that will not stop your car effectively. That is a dangerous situation that you would be putting your family in.

Cylinder

The master cylinder on your brakes can sometimes need to be replaced. You can know this is the problem when the pedal slowly sinks all the way to the floor when you press it, only to return to normal if you take your foot off and immediately put it back on. Often, this problem will also trigger the brakes alert light on your dashboard. Internal leaks can cause problems with the master cylinder.

Braking Fluid

Most modern vehicles have braking fluid reservoirs that can easily be seen. If yours is going down too quickly, you may have a leak. This needs to be checked out, because a leak can mean bigger problems down the road. Also, the fluid should not be murky or dark in color. If it is, you will need brake repair to flush it out.

Braking Lines

In your brakes, the fluid will travel from the master cylinder to the wheels along braking lines. These can often sport leaks or get plugged up. This can eventually lead to a situation where your brakes will not stop your vehicle, so they need to be replaced when that happens.

Caliper

The final type of brake repair that you might face involves the caliper. This is the part of the system that pushes the brake pads to the rotor to stop the wheel when you push the pedal. These can sometimes leak fluid or lock up, which means your car will not be able to stop. This requires an immediate call to your mechanic to keep everyone safe.