Brake
Drums (if equipped) should also be inspected
on a regular basis. The drums should not have
excessive grooves or have a deep "trough" dug
into them where the shoes ride.
Brake Shoes (if equipped) should
be worn evenly and have no rivets protruding to
the friction surface.
Additional Troubleshooting: When
inspecting brakes, check calipers, wheel cylinders,
hoses and fittings for any hydraulic fluid leakage.
Inspect the master cylinder,
reservoir and proportioning valve assemblies as
well. Replace or rebuild as required.
A "spongy" brake pedal
or one that's gotten lower underfoot also needs
looking into. It could be caused by sticking calipers,
worn pads, low fluid or hydraulic system problems.
If you can't "pump them
up", then you definitely have hydraulic problems
that need work. If you always have to pump them
up, at the very least your hydraulic fluid needs
replacement.
To check brakes by sound,
know how your brakes should sound and listen for
out-of-the-ordinary noises.
Most cars have a slight
brushing sound from the pads lightly touching
the rotors. This is perfectly normal. Sounds to
beware of include:
Squeaking may be
caused by dust or dirt on the brakes, loose pads
vibrating when applied or worn pads.
Rhythmic noise might
mean you have a warped rotor. Instead of a solid
squeaking noise, it pulsates. In extreme cases,
the brake pedal will also pulsate underfoot.
Constant brake noise is
never a good sound and any grinding noise spells
real trouble!
Most importantly: As
soon as any problem is noticed, get it repaired
immediately. Delaying brake repairs is extremely
dangerous.
Overstressed rotors and
drums can break. Brakes may be too worn or damaged
to stop your car in an emergency.
Even if you manage to
avoid physical harm, the longer you delay fixing
brake problems, the more you increase the cost
of doing so.
Badly worn, warped or
overheated rotors can damage wheel bearings and
the complete wheel hub assembly. These parts often
cost as much or more than the brakes themselves.
Even if you like doing
your own work, every few years your brakes should
be examined by a professional. Checking brakes
for "run-out", warping, wheel bearing play, proper
proportioning balance, among others, are normally
more involved than can be accomplished in your
garage. This inspection can also uncover underlying
problems that could eventually become costly or
dangerous.
Important Things to Remember
Heed these tips and you're
on your way to ensuring your brakes won't fail:
Tip #1: Keep the
hydraulic reservoir at the proper level with the
fluid type recommended by the car manufacturer.
Never substitute or mix types of fluid. Remember
also that hydraulic fluid absorbs water. Never
use old hydraulic fluid - always use a fresh container.
Tip #2: Keep brakes
clean by washing them off at the same time as
your car. This keeps squeaky dust and dirt off
the pads and makes brakes easier to inspect and
work on.
Tip #3: Never spray,
touch or drip any oil or lubricants on the brake
friction surfaces. If this occurs, spray immediately
with brake cleaner to remove completely.
Tip #4: There are
no shortcuts or quick fixes to brake problems.
They either function properly or they don't. Know
your brake system - how it should work, feel and
sound - before it acts up so you'll know when
something's wrong.
Tip #5: Most imports
don't have serviceable rotors. They must be replaced
at the same time as the pads. The rotors cannot
be "turned" to remove imperfections. There isn't
sufficient metal thickness to safely accomplish
this.
Tip #6: Keep a repair
log with receipts when any service is performed
on your car. It helps when you need to check if
your warranty is still in effect. More importantly,
it's a great gauge of performance and an indicator
of other problems.
Tip #7: Whenever
the pads are replaced, the hydraulic system must
be bled to remove any air bubbles. Most specialists
recommend changing the fluid with every pad replacement.
If you're unsure of the proper technique for bleeding
the hydraulic system, don't perform the job yourself.
Seek help from a professional. ABS equipped cars
should be bled only by professionals.
Tip #8: Most noises
are usually related to your pads. However, whenever
replacing pads, you should also replace the sensors
and seriously consider replacing the rotors at
the same time.
Tip #9: After installing
new pads, remember to "set" them properly. This
conditions them for maximum performance and prevents
premature failure. Instructions for setting pads
is usually provided in the package with your new
pads.
Brake Parts Shopping List
When shopping for parts,
remember two important things:
1. OEM/OES (original equipment
manufactured/supplied) or equivalent pads and
rotors are not always cheap. You do, however,
get what you pay for. OE parts will give you the
most trouble-free driving and peace of mind. And
. . . isn't that what's most important?
2. Before requesting any
brake parts for your import car, make sure you
have the year, exact model designation, engine
size and type, brake configuration, type of rotors
(solid or vented), vehicle ID number (VIN) and
production date. For many models, you'll also
need rotor diameter, caliper manufacturer and
mount and shape of the pads.
Here is a
list of parts you should consider when working
on brake systems:
Brake repairs - critical?
Of course! Your brakes keep your family safe.
Brake repairs and parts for imports - expensive?
You bet! Brake rotors for import cars, unlike
domestics, are built with minimal thicknesses
to save weight - meaning they can't be "turned";
they must be replaced.
Brake rotors for imports
are also more sensitive to warping from heat,
and overheated brakes are the second most common
cause of failure (first is wear-and-tear).
Save money on brake repairs
and parts with these tips:
Use Your Eyes & Ears
to Inspect Your Brakes
Visually inspect your
brakes' condition at least every six months. Here
are some things to look for:
Brake Rotors (discs) should
be inspected all the way around the surface and
on both sides for any concentric scoring (grooves)
or obvious defects. If defects are found, replace
your rotors immediately. Any rotor discoloration
may be a sign of overheating and an inspection
by a brake repair professional is needed.
Brake Pads will normally
match rotor scoring but should also be inspected
for uneven wear, breakage or cracking on the friction
surface. Again, if defects are found, replace
the pads immediately. Many cars also have brake
pad sensors to warn of pad wear. If your car uses
sensors, replace these at the same time as your
pads.
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