When you take care of your brakes, they will take care of you too the most. Checking your vehicle’s brakes is an important part of its maintenance. But sometimes even with regular maintenance, the brakes on your vehicle may require a professional inspection from a Broomfield auto mechanic. In this article, we will talk about the signs that your vehicle could have brake problems.
1. Brake light on
A brake light indicator appears on your dashboard. It is either time for your regular maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Also note that in some vehicles, a brake light indicator can be caused by your parking brake. Release it and see if the alert goes. If you want to make sure, check with auto mechanic Broomfield Co for possible causes for the dashboard indicator.
2. Squealing or squeaking noise
Noise coming from your brakes does not necessarily mean that there is a problem. It could just be a foreign object lodged in your brakes. However, it could also be your brake-pad wear indicators. These bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to emit a high-pitched noise when you apply the brakes. When this happens, it’s time to get your brake pads replaced.
3. Grinding Noises
Whether you have disc or drum brakes, grinding noise could mean your brakes need servicing right away due to the brake pad or shoe scraping on metal contact points. Have it checked immediately to an auto mechanic Broomfield Co.
4. Wobbling or vibrations when braking
If the steering wheel or car shakes when you apply the brakes, it could mean something like the thickness of your rotor is uneven since brake rotors are large discs that sit inside of the wheels. When you hit the brakes, the brake pads push against the rotors which stop your wheels from spinning. It’s normal for the rotor surface to wear down and possibly become uneven over time. In addition, if the pad material transfers unevenly, you may experience vibration when braking. If it stays to be uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. If the rotors are too worn to be serviced, they will need to be replaced.
5. Leaking fluid
A lot can happen at once when you apply your brakes. Brake fluids are important to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your car has no brake fluid, you won’t be able to stop safely. Always check your brake fluid and go to Broomfield auto mechanic if there’s a decline in fluid level or leak.
6. Spongy or soft brakes
If you feel that your brake pedal goes all the way to the floorboard, it could be an indication of air or moisture in the braking system. It could also be a problem with the master cylinder. Get a professional inspection immediately when this happens.
7. Burning Smells
The smell of an overheated brake is a sharp, chemical odor. If you smell something like this, pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Check the parking brake if this is off and if there’s smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. Do not continue to drive as this can be dangerous.
