Your Car's Breaking Performance
We tend to take our vehicle’s brakes for granted. We use them throughout the day as we travel back and forth between our home, office, grocery store, mall, and other places. While we depend upon them for our safety, we rarely think about them until problems emerge. Like most other auto parts, your braking system and its individual components endure wear and tear. After enough time they will need to be replaced.
Most people wait until they notice pulling, pulsing, grinding, or squealing from their braking system before they take their vehicles into the shop. Below, I'll explain how each of these problems happens so you'll have a clearer understanding with regard to your car's brakes.
Pulling To The Side
In some cases, pressing on the pedal to slow your car might result in your vehicle pulling to one side. The only way to compensate for the pull is to turn the steering wheel slightly to the other side. There are several factors that can cause this. It can prevent the brake's operation if oil leaks onto the pads or shoes on one side. The pulling can also be caused by the pads or shoes not being adjusted properly.
Grinding and Squealing
This is a common “wear and tear” problem; pads and shoes will eventually wear down. When they do, they’ll contribute to friction, which causes squealing. Normally, the problem can be resolved relatively inexpensively by replacing the worn parts. If the problem is allowed to persist, the rotor may become damaged, which leads to a grinding noise. When that happens, the cost of repairs will increase because the rotor will need to be smoothed.
The Pulsing Pedal
When you feel pulsing in the brake pedal, it can be causes by the anti-lock system being engaged. However, more often than not, the pulsing is caused by a warped rotor. A rotor can become warped over time due to heat, friction, and even moisture. The warp causes an uneven surface, which leads to the pulse you’ll feel in the pedal. This can normally be resolved by smoothing the rotor.
Lackluster Performance
You might find that, over time, your brakes become far less effective toward slowing your vehicle than they once were. This can be because of several different reasons. First, the pads and shoes can crystallize as the result of excess heat due to friction. Second, an oil seal may develop a leak allowing oil to soak the pads and shoes. Third, if the engine develops a vaccuum problem, your brake performance can suffer.
Because your vehicle’s brakes are critical to your safety, not to mention the safety of your passengers and other motorists, learn to identify early signs of trouble. If you notice any of them, have a trained mechanic inspect your car and resolve the underlying issue.
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