Cars, just like humans, don’t break down without giving some sort of indications. It’s up to the experts to fix and repair the problem but what can we the average Joe Soap do or look out for when it comes to faulty brakes or brake pads?
If you keep a look out for these signs, and monitor them carefully you will allow yourself to do less damage to your car and potentially avoid a car accident.
1. High Pitched Screeching. If you hear a high-pitched screeching noise when you apply your brakes, don’t worry—it doesn’t mean your brakes are going to give out at any minute. The screech is actually coming from a little piece of metal built into your brake pads that’s intended to let you know when the pads are getting low and need to be replaced soon.
2. Screeching with new pads. Loud screeching or other high-pitch noises coming from your brakes doesn’t always mean you need new brake pads. Sometimes it means your rotors are glazed, which is caused by excessive braking that heats up and burns the metal.
3. Visible Wear and Tear. The most common way to check the condition of your brake pads is just a normal visual inspection. You can see them between the wheel’s spokes, pressed up against a metal rotor. If the pads are less than a 6.5mm thick, it’s time to have them inspected or replaced.
4. Vibration on the brake pedal. When your rotors are warped, it causes vibration or pulsating through the brake pedal. But irresponsible braking isn’t the only cause of warping. If the rotors become too old and thin, they’re also susceptible to warping and will need to be replaced.
These are just a few signs you can look out for, you never know what’s really happening with your brakes until a proper inspection is carried out so head over to Astro Brakes for a thorough inspection.
