The Importance of Brake Jobs

Avoid Catastophic Problems With A Regular Brake Job

Your vehicle carries some pretty valuable cargo. Let's talk about a major safety aspect of your car, the braking system. The braking system on most people's cars goes unnoticed since it is "out of sight, out of mind." That is, until a problem crops up, which is usually in the form of the proverbial grinding when you push the brake pedal. What are the most common signs you need a brake job?

Let's take a look at these warning signs in more detail.

Poor braking performance can occur for a few reasons:

1. Crystallized brake pads and/or shoes: The brakes have become hardened from heat and are no longer effective at grabbing and stopping the rotation of the brake drum or rotor. This condition usually occurs after the brakes have been overused, either because of excessive panic stops or "riding of the brake." The braking material must be soft enough to wear and grab hold of the drum or rotor to stop the car. Excessive overheating hardens the braking material and consequently, the brakes become ineffective.
2. Oil or grease soaked brakes can affect braking. Oil from the rear differential or front transaxle can get on the brakes from an oil seal that might have failed. Grease from a failed rubber boot on a front end component (such as a ball joint or tie rod) can find its way onto the brakes and cause this symptom as well.
3. Loss of power assist from the power brake booster is another cause of poor braking performance. It can occur due to a loss of engine vacuum, or deterioration of the vacuum brake booster diaphragm.
4. "Hot Spots" on the brake drums or rotors are hardened spots in the metal makeup of the drum or rotor that form from excessive overheating of the brakes. They resist the natural wear of the friction material (brake pads and shoes) that must take place during the braking process, consequently loss of braking power takes place. The pads and shoes have nothing to grip.

Squealing or grinding noises coming from the brakes: This is usually an indication of worn or glazed brake pads. The squealing noise comes from wear indicators, which come in contact with the brake rotor when the brake pads are worn to the point of needing replacement. This design "tells" you that it's time to check the brakes. Unfortunately, most people wait until they hear the grinding to get a brake job. This means that the brakes have ground through the wear indicators and into the rotors. If you hear squealing, get your brakes checked! Waiting for the grinding noise will cost you money! There are no wear indicators on the rear brakes. Have them checked every six months or when you have the tires rotated. NOT when you hear the grinding! Procrastination has financial consequences.

Pulling or Grabbing to One Side: This can happen for a number of reasons. Pulling can occur from maladjustment of the brakes, a frozen brake, brake fluid leakage, frozen emergency brake cables, or oil/grease leakage on the brake shoes or pads.

Loss of Brake Pedal: This condition is usually a result of brake fluid leakage due to failure of a brake hose or a rusted metal brake line, a worn wheel cylinder or brake caliper, or a worn master cylinder. A simple "once over" of the system will reveal what's going on.

Pulsation of the Brake Pedal: The cause of this condition is simply heat and wear. Heat and mechanical wear thin out the brake rotor or drum which causes warping. This warping translates into a pulsation (up and down motion) of the brake pedal while applying the brakes. In this case, re-machining or replacement is the answer. Make sure you have the brakes checked for wear if they are pulsating, because they are usually worn beyond their serviceable life when they get to this point and a brake job would be in order.

Clicking Noises During Braking: This has been a problem ever since disc brakes came on the scene. The disc brake pads are held in place by pressure from the caliper against the brake rotor. It's somewhat of a loose fit. The factory installs "anti-rattle" devices to stop movement of the brake pads, which will stop the clicking noise. These devices are made of spring steel. Over time they become brittle and break, allowing the brake pad to ride loosely in its seat, causing rattling and/or clicking during braking.

Excessive Drag During Acceleration: Ever feel like someone "threw the anchor out" during acceleration? Maybe it's because the emergency brake cables are frozen due to rust buildup and are not releasing. A simple way to avoid this is to use your emergency brake! Remember this very simple rule ... "If you don't use it, you loose it!"

Lit ABS Light: A plethora of cars with antilock brakes experience a lit ABS light. In this case, have the wiring harnesses and electrical plugs leading to the wheel speed sensors checked for wear and corrosion. These electrical components are subjected to environmental conditions. Consequently, they suffer wear from exposure and might need replacement or repair.

There you have it! Check your brakes every six months to avoid unpleasant surprises. High dollar brake work can be "head off at the pass" simply by keeping a watchful eye on your brakes.

Best Times for Brake Repair

when should I have brake repair done?

Brake repair is not something that can be postponed. If the braking mechanisms in a vehicle aren't functioning properly, driving the vehicle will put the driver, passengers and all other autos and property along the way at danger. In addition to reparations, it'salso very important to perform checkups and tune-ups. Want to know the most crucial times to take a look at wear-and-tear?

Here are some things to think about:

• When a motorist begins to hear a grinding metallic squeal every time the brakes are pushed, this is a warning that something is amiss. The pads could be worn out or there may simply be dirt lodged in the apparatus. Worn out pads could mean that the amount of friction required to stop a heavy vehicle isn't adequate. Lack of pads could lead to the inability to halt.
• Flashing lights are put there for a reason. That reason is to alert motorists that something needs to be fixed or maintained in their car. Ignoring those flashing dashboard lights will surely lead to trouble ahead.

Every automobile is different depending on the make, model and year. The owner's manual will have a maintenance schedule that is recommended for each particular vehicle. Adhering to it as closely as possible will keep the auto working properly, avoid the necessity for expensive tasks such as a brake repair and the warranties in force.

Especially if a person lives in a region that has extremely cold winters, it's important to service a car's brakes before snow, rain, sleet and ice set in. These devices have a hard enough time keeping up with the frigid whims of Mother Nature; make it easier for the brakes to do their job by having brake repair done regualrly.

When an individual or a family is about to hit the road for a vacation, it's important to make sure the brake pads, fluids and all other automotive systems are in tiptop shape. When a car breaks down in one's hometown, local mechanics are a known entity. If a mishap occurs in another state, city or town, it can turn a vacation getaway into a nightmare scenario. Don't take chances: take care of the car before a road trip.

If a motorist is used to driving in a flat area of the country, traveling through hilly or mountainous locations can come as a shock to one's system. In cities such as San Francisco, for example, one's brakes aren't just needed for stopping but for getting up a hill after a car has been stopped. Driving through hilly regions with bad brakes is an accident waiting to happen.

It's always wise to keep one's car, truck or SUV tuned up and in shipshape. Performing regular maintenance will increase longevity as well as improve functioning. The extremely important brake repair tasks must be tended to when squealing noises occur, when flashing lights appear on the dashboard, when the owner manual dictates, before vacations, winter or driving through mountains or hills.

Don't be a danger to others on the road. If their cars need brake repair should take their vehicle in to a shop they can trust.