How to Diagnose Brake Repair

There are a lot of important parts on your car or truck. Without the gas pedal, you can’t go very far. Without the windshield wipers, you can’t see much in nasty weather. Without the headlights, it would be almost impossible and very dangerous to drive at night. But, let’s face it, there isn’t part of your car or truck that is much more important than the brakes. Whether you are trying to avoid a dog that has run out into the street or simply slowing onto that exit ramp, you want to be sure your brakes are there when you need them.

When it comes time for brake repair, you want to be sure you recognize the problem before it’s too late. Noticing a brake problem, defect, or malfunction during an emergency situation is obviously less than ideal. As such, there are a few things you can pay attention to that will help notify you of the right time for brake repair.

One of the easiest things to notice while driving is when the brake pedal goes down too far when you try to stop. This can be due to low brake fluid level, brake fluid, that has been contaminated with condensation, brake pads that are worn, or a power boost unit that has vacuum problems. Alternatively, if you press down on the brake pedal and meet increased resistance that is greater than normal, your problem may be with the brake vacuum or a brake line obstruction. If you step on the brake pedal and it immediately flops all the way to the floor with almost no resistance, it could be low brake fluid level, air in the brake fluid, or a faulty master cylinder that needs to be replaced. If it feels like your brakes are still working, but are simply more weak than usual, you’ll want to once again check the brake fluid level and ensure it isn’t contaminated. If your brake pads are worn, this may result in decreased braking efficiency and increased stopping time. All of these items other than topping up brake fluid will need help from a certified brake repair specialist.

Other brake problems can include grabbing or pulling when you press down on the brake pedal evenly is likely due to worn or faulty brake discs. Your brake discs should be inspected regularly and replaced when necessary. Another sign of bad break pads can be pedal vibration. Vibration can also mean the car is out of alignment or the front suspension is worn. Grabbing, pulling and vibrating while braking should all be investigated by a brake repair specialist.

Lastly, if it feels like your brakes are dragging when you press on the pedal, this could mean that you have a bad wheel cylinder or that your brake pads are grabbing on to the wheel and not fully releasing. The latter example most often occurs with the parking brake because it is controlled by a cable that may need to be lubricated or replaced.