Brake Repair: Get a Grip!

If you know your vehicle very well, you will notice when something’s not quite right.  The vehicle’s braking system is its most critical safety item, but like most other things, will wear out and you will eventually need a brake repair or even a replacement. The factors that affect wear are driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material. With these additional hazards, especially in the cooler seasons, you need to familiarize yourself with some warning signs and schedule a brake service if they’re not working as well as they should.

• Noise when stepping on the brake pedal:  A little squeaking when the brakes are wet or when you drive first thing in the morning is normal until they warm up. However, pay attention to how long these sounds persist. Brake pads contain a little strip of metal as a ‘warning’ device that they need replacement—if you hear a consistent squeak or whistling sound every time you step on the pedal, schedule a brake service as soon as possible. The other sound you may hear the sound of metal grinding on metal. It means the caliper is coming in direct contact with the rotor.  If you continue driving once this happens, you’ll do more and more damage to your braking system, leading to a more costly repair.
• The car pulls to one side during braking:  This could be one of many things—uneven wear, a problem in the calipers or lines, or even an alignment or suspension issue. Nevertheless, schedule a brake service right away. If fluid isn’t reliably getting to one of your calipers, that’s a major safety issue—and if one side is wearing out significantly faster than the other, you could be looking at a warped rotor or even a stuck caliper. Stopping shouldn’t cause your car to pull to one side, whatever the reason.
• The pedal pulsates:  This is another issue that is “sometimes” normal behavior—Anti-Lock Braking systems will pulsate a little under hard braking. Any unusual pulsating that you didn’t notice before may be cause for a brake service. To stop your car, calipers clamp a pair of pads down on a spinning metal disc called a rotor. Under certain conditions, such as sudden temperature changes, these rotors can bend or warp, leading to weird pulsations while stopping. This is a problem that can be corrected fairly simply and inexpensively.
• The pedal feels “mushy:”  Seek help immediately. Mushy or spongy pedals could indicate air in the lines, which means a technician will need to “bleed” the system—but this can also be a symptom of low fluid, and that’s a big, red alert. Cars with this symptom shouldn’t be driven until the cause of the issue has been found.

All in all, brakes are the number one most important safety feature on your car, and any issues with them should be taken very seriously. Your best tool for keeping a good grip on your own brake safety is your own senses, so use them well.

Are you needing expert brake service?  Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005, or go on-line at www.expresscareautomn.com for professional advice about brake repair. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.