Do Your Brakes Need Replacing?

No matter how frequently or infrequently you drive, having correctly functioning brakes is something that you cannot compromise on. Not only would malfunctioning brakes put you at risk when driving, but you also pose a hazard to other road users. Therefore, it is critical to be aware of the signs of disrepair before the brakes suffer a complete breakdown. However, not many motorists, especially newbie driers, know how to spot the signs. So how can you tell if your brakes need repair or replacing?

High pitched squealing

A considerable red flag that would indicate your brakes requires immediate attention if they begin to emit high pitched screeching whenever you try to engage them. When the brakes are being manufactured, they will usually be fitted with an indicator. This indicator is a piece of metal that will cause friction against the rotor of the brakes, which in turn makes them squeal. However, this friction only happens once the brake pads have started to decline, so the thinner the brake pads become, the louder the high-pitched squealing. When you begin to hear this ingratiating sound, it is recommended to seek a replacement before the noise becomes excessively loud.

Difficulty slowing down and coming to a stop

In some situations, you may not get the advanced warning of squealing brake pads proper to malfunction. The reason for the lack of sound is when you are using refurbished brake pads. These aftermarket brake pads will typically not be fitted with the indicator, so you would not be able to tell when they have started to succumb to severe wear. Nonetheless, this does not mean that there would not be any signs to alert you of impending replacement. When you start to notice it is taking increasingly longer for you to slow down your vehicle or if the car is not coming to an immediate stop, there is a high likelihood that your brakes need auto care. Your mechanic would inspect the stoppers to check if they require replacement or if minor repairs would suffice to restore functioning to your brakes.

Wiggling steering wheel

Some symptoms of brake repairs may manifest in other parts of your vehicle, commonly at the steering wheel. When you start to notice your steering wheel is wiggling whenever you engage the brakes, it is possible that your brake rotors have become warped. Warped rotors will have their structural integrity compromised thus the only fix would be having them outrightly replaced rather than trying to repair them.

For more information, visit websites like http://www.wollongongmechanical.com.au.


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