Important Shortcuts for Auto Service and Repairs

Brake Service and Repair | How to Maintain Your Brakes

by Emilia Latvala

Brakes are the most critical safety systems in a car and need to be working properly at all times. The condition of your car's braking system can mean the difference between life and death on the road. It is therefore crucial to ensure that they are working at all times. Sometimes there might be warning signs that your brakes need to be checked. In such circumstances, visiting a car repair shop to have your breaks checked is necessary.

You can form a brake service routine even when your braking system is not faulty. This ensures your brakes remain in good condition and a potential fault can be identified and rectified:

When should you get your brakes checked?

There are warning signs that indicate your brakes are faulty and need to be checked. Your brake pads will always signal when they need to be checked or replaced. A screeching noise every time you hit the brakes is an indicator that your brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.

You may also hear a grinding or grumbling noise while braking or even after releasing the brake pedal. This is an indication that you might need to replace the pads or even the rotors.

When the break light starts appearing on your dashboard when you are driving and not braking, this is an indicator that the brake fluid is low and the system needs to be serviced. At other times, you may feel that your car is taking longer than normal to stop when you hit the brakes. This could also be an indication of failing brakes that need to be checked.

 Other common warning signs of faulty brakes are pulsation of the brake pedal and pulling to one side which could be an indication that your brakes are worn out beyond their serviceable life. All these are indications that your braking system needs to be checked for repair or replacement.

Brakes inspection

When you take your car for brake service, the brakes are thoroughly inspected to check for any faulty parts. The brake fluid is checked to ensure it is not lower than the required level. This could be due to a leak caused by failed brake hose, rusted metal brake line, a faulty master cylinder or worn brake caliper. The emergency brakes cables are also checked to ensure they are not frozen. Brake pads and rotors are checked for wear.

A comprehensive and thorough check of all the brake system parts is essential to ensure all parts are working properly. If there are warning signs, the repairer should carefully inspect all these parts in order to identify the parts that need to be repaired.

Brakes repair and replacement

Once an inspection has been carried out to identify faulty parts, repair should be done. Brake parts such as rotors and worn out brake pads can be easily replaced. Some parts just require repair without necessarily replacing them. A car's brake fluid should be changed during general car service or brake service visits. This will ensure that the fluid never falls below the required level. Once your brakes get worn beyond their serviceable life, you will be required to replace the entire braking system.

Once you have taken your car for brake servicing, faulty parts have been identified and repaired or replaced and your brake fluid is checked, you need to carry out brake testing. Problems such as overheating, screeching and grumbling noises during braking should not be experienced once your braking system has been serviced.

Share