When it comes to automobile safety, brakes are easily the single most important feature on your car. That's why it's vital you be able to recognize when they're ready for repair or replacement. If you would like to learn more about just what to look--and listen--for, read on. This article will introduce you to three signs that your car is ready to have some brake work done.
Screeching, grinding, and growling
The good news is that worn-out brakes aren't subtle--they're veritably ear piercing. A high-pitched squealing or screeching each time you apply your brakes is caused by a thin metal shim, also known as the indicator. The indicator is located near the base of the brake pad, so that it will only start making noise when your brakes are getting near the end.
If you continue to use your brakes despite this squealing, eventually it will be replaced by less obnoxious but much more worrisome grinding and/or growling sounds. This sound means that your brake pads have worn away completely, and now the metal disc is rubbing up against the metal caliper. Not only is this highly unsafe, but it can frequently lead to greater expense, as your rotors may need to be replaced as a result.
Car pulls to one side
Does your car have a tendency to veer in one direction or another each time you apply the brakes? If so, this may be caused one of three brake-related issues:
The take-away here is not that you need to try and determine which of these three problems is causing your car to pull--it's that you get your car in to a mechanic for evaluation as soon as possible. Even if the pull seems fairly harmless to you, it could easily be enough to cause you to lose control in the event you had to brake hard to avoid a collision.
Pulsing brake pedal
A brake pedal that goes into convulsions each time you depress it, likely indicates a warped or unevenly worn brake rotor. This is often the result of too many so-called hot stops. In order to be fixed, a technician will either have to resurface or replace the rotor.
You see, brakes use two types of friction to slow your car: adherent friction and abrasive friction. At higher temperatures, however, abrasive friction can no longer contribute, meaning adherent friction alone is what stops your car. As a result, resins in the brake pad break down and form deposits on the rotor, thus making it less round. This unevenness is experienced as a pulsing sensation each time you apply the brakes.
To learn more, contact a brake repair company like Care Muffler & Brake Shop.
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