You can put off some of your car’s routine maintenance, but not brake servicing. Getting your brakes right is so important that it’s worth it if you need to have technicians check them or get them replaced outright. The good news is that with some studying and careful observation, you could pick up on the signs that tell you the brakes need fixing. Read on to learn more about telltale signs.
Squealing, screeching, and other wailing noises. These sounds are due to worn-out brake pads, and they require inspection. Worn pads have no place in your car because if they are left unattended, they could cause greater damage to other parts.
Intense thumping from the pedal or steering wheel. When this happens, the brake system is signaling something. It could be trapped debris in the caliper unit, worn-out brake pads or lack of lubrication. Taking time with this issue could result in your rotors (or drums) getting out of shape from the metal-on-metal contact, leading to higher repair cost.
Shaking/Wobbling Steering Wheel when Hitting the Brakes. Shaking steering wheel during braking mainly means warped rotors. Rotors are located inside the wheels. Upon hitting the brake pedal, they slow down due to the brake pads hugging them, thereby, slowing the vehicle as well.
Some advice for owners of trucks with weird shakes: try to ferret out other likely culprits for your brake issues. Expert truck mechanics can tell you more about broken suspension parts or problematic U- joints if you have those.
Bobbing or Rocking Up and Down During Abrupt Stops. Any rocking or bouncing together with some sharp braking means no brake issues. Instead, it means problems with shock absorbers.
This list of auto brake problems and how to fix them may not be comprehensive, but it gives you a quick look at the top automotive brake problems and what you can do to prevent them. There is also no need to immediately worry about cost when you become aware of an issue. Some brands of brake pads do make harmless tweets and chirp now and then. It is possible that dirt or moisture are creating superficial problems in the braking system. These are not the prime culprits for you to go after. Your detective work may likely end in simply adding some new brake fluid.
But these are short-run solutions. Why not err on the side of caution, should certain noises remain too consistent? While you are thinking how to get out of a headache like a brake issue, some annoying car technicians or mechanics will try to mislead the customer, attempting to over-price the work far more than it needs.
But even so, it is time to stop self-diagnosing symptoms or delaying brake servicing. Besides, when it comes to automotive issues, any delay almost always means bigger repair costs.
To wrap up, here is one key takeaway: all sensible car or truck owners do not delay a good check on the brakes. If this quick article reminded you of a lingering issue or concern, take action now. There is no room for worn out brakes on the road.