9 Common Signs That Your Brakes Need Repair
Your brakes are one of your car's most crucial and hardest working parts. So, once they start showing signs of wear and tear, you need to get them checked by a professional brake repair specialist. But when is the right time to do so? In this blog post, you will discover the common signs of brake failure that need prompt attention.
Outline:
- Brake Light On
- Squealing or Squeaking Noises
- Grinding Noises
- Wobbling or Vibration When Braking
- Leaking Fluid
- Spongy or Soft Brakes
- Car Pulling to One Side When Braking
- Burning Smells
- Visible wear and tear
- Conclusion
Brake Light On
The simplest way to tell if you need a car brake repair is the appearance of the brake light on your dashboard. Usually, the brake light is red, yellow, or orange and will be relatively obvious. Once the brake light comes on, that means it is time to get a brake check-up. Consult your car manufacturer's manual for a possible reason behind the dashboard indicator. Depending on your vehicle's warranty, car repair shops and some dealerships can do this check-up for you.
Note: In some cars, the appearance of a brake light can be due to the parking brake. Release it and notice if the alert goes away. If not, call the best brake repair near me right away.
Squealing or Squeaking Noises
Strange sounds coming from the brakes might be caused by a foreign object stuck in them, like debris or pebbles. However, these squeaking noises can also be an indication that your brake pad is starting to get worn. Metal bits in the brake pad that bump into the rotor can produce a high-pitched noise once you step on the brake. This lets you know it is time to replace the brake pads. Ignoring this simple problem can lead to a disaster. So, consult a professional brake repair company in your area.
Grinding Noises
A grinding noise while braking can point to many different issues. For instance, debris might be lodged in the caliper unit, or your brake pads might have been damaged. Worse, it might be caused by something more serious. So, a trip to the nearest car brake repair shop is highly recommended once you feel or hear any grinding sound.
Wobbling or Vibration When Braking
Another indication of brake issues is vibration or wobbling when braking. An uneven rotor might be the main culprit if your car or steering wheel shakes or wobbles when you step on the brakes. Brake rotors are oversized discs located inside the wheels; once you step on the brakes, the brakes push against the brake rotors that stop the wheels from spinning.
In due course, it is normal for the brake rotor surface to grind down and possibly become not smooth. Once you hit the brakes, braking friction leads to the transfer of the pad to the brake rotor's surface. When the brake pad material transfers erratically, you may notice a vibration when braking. If you ignore this issue or leave the rotor uneven, the material will keep building on the rough spots, making the problem worse over time. During brake repair, the rotor surface must be evened or smoothed out to correct faults and get rid of the feeling of vibrating or wobbling when you hit the brake. A professional car brake repair company might suggest a rotor replacement if the brake rotors are damaged.
Leaking Fluid
This is also a vital indication that you might need immediate brake repair. If you have problems with the brakes and your car leaks fluids, you need a professional car service technician to find the primary source of the drip. It doesn't matter if it is in the master cylinder or somewhere in the brake mechanism. If your car leaks brake fluid, there might not be enough power to force the pads to wear down on the motor.
Spongy or Soft Brakes
Pay attention to the brake pedal resistance. If it feels soft or spongey than usual, you have to take your car for service immediately. This issue requires immediate attention; else multiple issues will arise, leading to an expensive repair. Since brakes are vital for your safety, you should have them checked promptly.
Car Pulling to One Side When Braking
If your car pulls to one side once you step on the brake, you might have a problem with a caliper, or the brake hose is already damaged. If one of the calipers applies extra pressure to one side during braking than the other side, your vehicle will stop erratically. Make sure to call a professional car battery. I think it's fine specialist to fix the caliper or replace the brake hose.
Burning Smells
A chemical smell could be an indication of overheated brakes. You can avoid brake failure by pulling over to a secure place and letting the brakes cool down. Make sure the parking brake is off. When there is any smoke emitting from a wheel, it may be the brake caliper locked in place and malfunctioning. In this case, it might be dangerous to continue driving without urgent repairs.
Visible wear-and-tear
Another way to determine the condition of the brake pads is a visual check-up. You can spot wear and tear between the spokes of the wheel pressed up against the metal rotor. When the brake pads are less than a quarter inch thick, it is time to have your brake inspected or replaced. A professional brake repair Palmdale company like carlaxauto.com can help you address this issue.
Conclusion
If you have felt, heard, or seen any of the signs mentioned above, don't wait. These are indications that you need immediate brake repair. Even minor issues like worn brake pads or a burning smell when hitting the brakes can get extremely expensive once ignored. Not to mention, an excellent working brake mechanism is vital to your safety.
At Carlax Quality Automotive, we have been taking good care of vehicles for many years. We are experts in brakes, complete engine repair, alignments, oil changes, hybrid repair, auto AC repair, and so much more. So, give us a call or visit our car repair shop in Palmdale.
Your brakes are one of your car's most crucial and hardest working parts. So, once they start showing signs of wear and tear, you need to get them checked by a professional brake repair specialist. But when is the right time to do so? In this blog post, you will discover the common signs of brake failure that need prompt attention.
Outline:
- Brake Light On
- Squealing or Squeaking Noises
- Grinding Noises
- Wobbling or Vibration When Braking
- Leaking Fluid
- Spongy or Soft Brakes
- Car Pulling to One Side When Braking
- Burning Smells
- Visible wear and tear
- Conclusion
Brake Light On
The simplest way to tell if you need a car brake repair is the appearance of the brake light on your dashboard. Usually, the brake light is red, yellow, or orange and will be relatively obvious. Once the brake light comes on, that means it is time to get a brake check-up. Consult your car manufacturer's manual for a possible reason behind the dashboard indicator. Depending on your vehicle's warranty, car repair shops and some dealerships can do this check-up for you.
Note: In some cars, the appearance of a brake light can be due to the parking brake. Release it and notice if the alert goes away. If not, call the best brake repair near me right away.
Squealing or Squeaking Noises
Strange sounds coming from the brakes might be caused by a foreign object stuck in them, like debris or pebbles. However, these squeaking noises can also be an indication that your brake pad is starting to get worn. Metal bits in the brake pad that bump into the rotor can produce a high-pitched noise once you step on the brake. This lets you know it is time to replace the brake pads. Ignoring this simple problem can lead to a disaster. So, consult a professional brake repair company in your area.
Grinding Noises
A grinding noise while braking can point to many different issues. For instance, debris might be lodged in the caliper unit, or your brake pads might have been damaged. Worse, it might be caused by something more serious. So, a trip to the nearest car brake repair shop is highly recommended once you feel or hear any grinding sound.
Wobbling or Vibration When Braking
Another indication of brake issues is vibration or wobbling when braking. An uneven rotor might be the main culprit if your car or steering wheel shakes or wobbles when you step on the brakes. Brake rotors are oversized discs located inside the wheels; once you step on the brakes, the brakes push against the brake rotors that stop the wheels from spinning.
In due course, it is normal for the brake rotor surface to grind down and possibly become not smooth. Once you hit the brakes, braking friction leads to the transfer of the pad to the brake rotor's surface. When the brake pad material transfers erratically, you may notice a vibration when braking. If you ignore this issue or leave the rotor uneven, the material will keep building on the rough spots, making the problem worse over time. During brake repair, the rotor surface must be evened or smoothed out to correct faults and get rid of the feeling of vibrating or wobbling when you hit the brake. A professional car brake repair company might suggest a rotor replacement if the brake rotors are damaged.
Leaking Fluid
This is also a vital indication that you might need immediate brake repair. If you have problems with the brakes and your car leaks fluids, you need a professional car service technician to find the primary source of the drip. It doesn't matter if it is in the master cylinder or somewhere in the brake mechanism. If your car leaks brake fluid, there might not be enough power to force the pads to wear down on the motor.
Spongy or Soft Brakes
Pay attention to the brake pedal resistance. If it feels soft or spongey than usual, you have to take your car for service immediately. This issue requires immediate attention; else multiple issues will arise, leading to an expensive repair. Since brakes are vital for your safety, you should have them checked promptly.
Car Pulling to One Side When Braking
If your car pulls to one side once you step on the brake, you might have a problem with a caliper, or the brake hose is already damaged. If one of the calipers applies extra pressure to one side during braking than the other side, your vehicle will stop erratically. Make sure to call a professional car battery. I think it's fine specialist to fix the caliper or replace the brake hose.
Burning Smells
A chemical smell could be an indication of overheated brakes. You can avoid brake failure by pulling over to a secure place and letting the brakes cool down. Make sure the parking brake is off. When there is any smoke emitting from a wheel, it may be the brake caliper locked in place and malfunctioning. In this case, it might be dangerous to continue driving without urgent repairs.
Visible wear-and-tear
Another way to determine the condition of the brake pads is a visual check-up. You can spot wear and tear between the spokes of the wheel pressed up against the metal rotor. When the brake pads are less than a quarter inch thick, it is time to have your brake inspected or replaced. A professional brake repair Palmdale company like carlaxauto.com can help you address this issue.
Conclusion
If you have felt, heard, or seen any of the signs mentioned above, don't wait. These are indications that you need immediate brake repair. Even minor issues like worn brake pads or a burning smell when hitting the brakes can get extremely expensive once ignored. Not to mention, an excellent working brake mechanism is vital to your safety.
At Carlax Quality Automotive, we have been taking good care of vehicles for many years. We are experts in brakes, complete engine repair, alignments, oil changes, hybrid repair, auto AC repair, and so much more. So, give us a call or visit our car repair shop in Palmdale.
