How do I know my Brakes need changing?
Posted by Julie Smith on
Signs your Brakes need changing?
When you’re cruising along the A5 on a sunny, bright day, it’s easy to forget that you’re in a metal box that is so heavy it could take the length of a football field to stop. That is why your brakes are the most vital safety system in your car. But how do you know if they are working correctly? As the most crucial part of your car, you need to pay attention to any warning signs. From an obvious brake light on your dashboard to the feeling that your vehicle’s taking longer to stop, get it checked out! It might mean the difference between life and death on the road.
However, if you’re not sure then here are 5 signs that your brakes need changing, or at least checking.
Strange Braking Sounds
Nobody likes strange noises when it comes to your car, and this is especially true of your brakes. When your brakes speak to you in a high-pitched squeal, they are telling you they are in trouble! It often means that the pads need replacing. In addition to the squeal you will also want to listen for a harsh grinding sound. This means real trouble as you’ve gone entirely through your brake pads. When this happens, it means that every time you apply the brakes the metal of the pads is grinding against the metal of your discs. So your car won’t be stopping effectively, plus you will be causing damage to the rest of your brake mechanism. If you don’t get this looked at quickly, it could mean a relatively easy and inexpensive pad job turns into a very costly ordeal.
Worn Brake Pads
As you can imagine, over time your disc pads begin to wear thin, become brittle and become less effective at stopping your car. But the good news is that checking the thickness of your brake pads is a straightforward job. Just look between the spokes of your wheel to spot the shiny metal disc inside. Then check around the outer edge, where you’ll see the metal caliper. Between the caliper and disc you will see the pad. Generally, your pads should be at least 1/2cm thick. If they are any thinner, then pop in to see us and have them changed!
Brakes that Vibrate
If you’ve ever had to make an emergency stop in a car with anti lock brakes, then you will be familiar with the rapid brake-pedal pulsing you experience as a result. However, if your brake pedal pulses like this under any other circumstances then it's a clear sign of a problem.
Generally, a vibrating brake pedal indicates warped discs. Their uneven surfaces will thrum against the brake pads, and you’ll feel the feedback through the brake pedal. Your discs usually warp when they’re under extreme stress for an extended period. For instance, by the friction-generated heat caused by steep hills or frequently stopping while pulling something heavy. So if you live up high and have a caravan or horsebox that you regularly pull this is something you may experience at one time or another.
You may also feel your brake pedal vibrating if your wheels are misaligned. Whatever the case, it is always best to come and see us for a diagnosis.
Your brake pedal feels funny
In addition to vibrations, your brake pedal can give you other signals that your car’s braking system is in need of a checkup. Do you ever feel like your brake pedal is in treacle? Or do you have to press it so far in that it practically hits the floor before engaging your brakes? This could indicate worn pads, a problem with the hydraulics or a brake fluid leak. To check for a leak, put an old white sheet or light cardboard under your car overnight. In the morning, check if any fluid has dropped. Brake fluid will be clear and looks a bit like cooking oil.
The other sign of an attention-seeking brake pedal is the opposite of the above. By this, we mean an overly responsive pedal. If you experience hardcore braking responses that throw you forward at the slightest touch of the pedal, this could mean that you have an unevenly worn brake system, dirty brake fluid or other contaminants. You can easily fix this with an inexpensive change of fluid.
Alternatively, if stopping your car feels like Fred Flintstone putting his feet through the floor, you might have something blocking your brake line or a vacuum system fault. Whatever the case, if you feel that your brake pedal feels odd we would always recommend getting it checked out by a
Are your brakes pulling?
Is your car pulling you left or right and it feels like it wants to drive itself? Well, this could be that an element of your braking system is stuck. So friction is only applied to one wheel and not the others, causing your vehicle to pull you sideways.
Alternatively, your car might have a collapsed brake hose or uneven brake pads. All of these things can cause a swerve in your drive, or resistance braking, as they apply different amounts of pressure to different wheels.
However, cars that pull can also indicate a problem with your tyres. Incorrectly inflated tyres, worn tyres, poor alignment or a problem with your vehicle’s suspension can also cause dodgy pulling sensations. So, if your car begins to pull, you’ll want to pull into our direction at Unit 14 Ellesmere Business Park, Ellesmere, Shropshire for a quick diagnosis.