Important Brake Repair Safety Tips

Nov 30
08:25

2011

Aaliyah Arthur

Aaliyah Arthur

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Are you contemplating brake repair? Fixing your brakes is an important task, but make sure you keep safety in mind at all times!

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As any driver knows,Important Brake Repair Safety Tips Articles your brakes are one of the most important safety features on your car. Without them, you will be unable to stop a ton of metal driving down the street. This puts many people at risk. You could hit someone or injure yourself and those driving with you in the vehicle. For this reason, when it comes to brake repair and maintenance, safety should be your number one concern.

First, you need to understand that brakes are not meant to last forever. Even those who maintain them perfectly will need to eventually replace them. Understanding this and budgeting for this expense will help you keep your car safe.

Most of the time, brakes are designed to be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. However, this can change depending on the type of driving that you do. So, it is a good idea to have your brakes regularly inspected to ensure they are not wearing out before their time.

At your annual inspection, make sure the mechanic takes off the wheels to check the calipers, drums, pads, pistons, brake lines, and rotors. All of these components can have problems, so they need to be visually inspected, preferably by someone who is trained in brake repair.

Always check the vehicle owner's manual before you attempt any do-it-yourself brake repair. Each vehicle is going to require a different type of brakes and different adjustments to the brakes. Whether you are doing the repairs yourself or hiring someone else, make sure that these recommendations are followed. Of course, going to a professional mechanic should ensure that the manufacturer's recommendations are followed.

Many people know they should have their brakes inspected and even occasionally replaced, but they do not know another important brake repair safety tip. The entire system uses braking fluid, and that can absorb moisture. When it does, it becomes acidic and no longer performs its usual function. For this reason, it should be flushed and replaced about every other year, and perhaps more if you drive the car more frequently than an average driver.

If you attempt to do your repairs on your own, you also need to pay attention to safety. Do not trust a single jack to hold up your car while you are underneath it. Jacks can fail, leaving you severely injured or worse. Instead, raise the vehicle using the jack, and then use jack stands to hold it up while you work.

Always ensure that your vehicle is completely stationary with no chance of moving while you are performing brake repair. Put blocks in front and behind the wheels on the end of the car you are not working on. This will prevent accidents caused by an unexpected rolling of the vehicle. Remember, you will be working on the braking system, so you cannot count on it to keep the car immobile. If you do not have the proper equipment to do the job safely, then let a professional handle it. Your safety is not worth risking to save a few bucks.