Different parts of your car work together to facilitate safe driving, and one of them is the brake system. The brakes are arguably the most critical components of your vehicle as they make it possible to slow down and stop. In other words, the brakes prevent you from running into something that can cause you an accident and damage your vehicle.
Since you depend on your brakes so much, it is vital to have a specialist check them regularly. Here are some reasons why brake inspection is essential.
Potential rotor damage
Modern cars have disc brakes on all four wheels. These brakes feature three main components: calipers, pads, and rotors. The calipers push the pads against the rotor’s surface, facilitating the friction that brings your car to a halt. Over time the pads and rotors wear put because of rubbing against each other.
Although the hardened metal used on rotors prolongs their lifespan, pads wear out quickly and accelerate the wear on the rotors. Thankfully, a mechanic can machine down or smooth out the rotors to eliminate the imperfections, but you must replace worn-out brake pads. You should also inspect your brake pads periodically to replace them before they completely wear out and damage the rotors or jeopardize your safety.
Strange sounds
A high-pitched squealing sound whenever you press the pedal indicates a problem with your brake system. It could also be a strange sound vibrating sound that appears to fade as your car slows down. Another peculiar sound is a grinding noise that sounds like metal is grinding metal. All these sounds indicate a problem with the braking system.
If your car produces these sounds when you press the pedal, that is a sign that your vehicle needs brake service. Depending on the brake’s sound, you may need new brake pads or minor rotor repair. Any severe grinding is a sign that your brakes are worn out beyond their use.
Caliper problems
The calipers use cylinders to push the brake pad up against the rotors to initiate the braking action. Over time the calipers may stick, preventing the pistons from moving the pad upward as it wears down. That leads to the loss of braking on one or several wheels. This may also result when the calipers and hoses leak brake fluid limiting the ability of the caliper to move forward.
Loss of vehicle control
Have you noticed that your car seems to swerve out of direction when you hit the brakes? This is a telltale sign that one of the brakes has a caliper problem and needs an inspection. A sudden swerve is a huge risk because it can cause an accident; therefore, you should have your brakes checked immediately.
Brake failure
Brake failure is the most dangerous situation because nothing can stop your car from moving other than an emergency brake. It happens when you have neglected brake servicing for way too long. Therefore you should ensure regular inspections of your brake system, replace the pads when they are worn out, and ensure you have plenty of stopping power.
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