Brake Repair - How Often Should You Have Them Checked?

Jul 1
08:24

2011

Ace Abbey

Ace Abbey

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Sometimes, brakes squeak and squeal. How do you know when to take it in for brake repair? Bust the myths and get the facts here.

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Brake repair can be confusing. There are lots of little things that can go wrong. In this article,Brake Repair - How Often Should You Have Them Checked? Articles we'll look at the different components of your brakes, and how to check things out to see if you need to take your car in to the mechanic. By the time you're done reading, you'll know your brakes inside and out.

Pads

Pads are, by far, the most frequently changed items when it comes to your brakes. These need to be checked on a regular basis. Why? It is because other components, which are far more expensive, will become damaged if they aren't. So how often should you change them? Pads last normally between 25,000 and 30,000 miles. Squeaks and squeals coming from the tires mean you need to have them checked out by a qualified technician as soon as possible. To change the pads, it will normally cost you slightly under $100 dollars. If you're handy with fixing cars, you can do it yourself for much less. If left unchecked, the resulting damage could cost you above $600 later on, so it's a good idea to take care of it now.

Fluid

Fluid is another common source of brake repair. Depending on the vehicle, you may need to check your fluid more or less often. To know for sure, you should consult the owner's manual for your vehicle. However, most vehicle experts recommend that you should check your fluid regularly every 1.5 to 3 years. If you notice fluid leaking from your wheels, have them checked at once. You should not try to change the fluid yourself because the leak will need to be fixed first. Expect to pay around $100 for this type of brake repair.

Rotors

As mentioned earlier, failing to change the pads in time will damage other parts. Specifically, it is the rotors that will develop ridges and grooves. Normally, it will cost around $600 to replace the rotors. This is the second most expensive component in brake repair. Plus, it can be avoided if you regularly check your pads.

Think about this. The cost of not changing the pads regularly is six times more. That means you could have used that money to replace the pads six more times. Simply put, you could have saved yourself $500 by having the pads checked sooner. Damage to the rotors is the number one reason why you should check your pads regularly.

Other Components

While the parts mentioned earlier are the most common to develop problems, there are a few more you should know about. One is called the master cylinder. This piece connects to the pedal. If it leaks, you'll notice the pedal sinking all the way to the floor. It normally costs around $200 to fix. However, it tends to be a more reliable part.

Calipers are the most expensive piece of equipment you'll deal with when it comes to brakes. This part exerts the force needed to push the pad against the rotor. It will typically cost more than $1,000 to on most newer vehicles. Like the master cylinder, this part tends to fail less often.

If you look at the above repairs and do the math, you'll see why it's good to get everything checked! Keep your brake repair up to date, and you can save huge money in the long run.

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