If you’ve ever been in a situation where your car suddenly lost braking power, then you know how frightening it can be. It’s essential to make sure your brakes are in good condition so that this never happens to you again. Here are the top five brake problems and how to fix them so that you don’t have to replace your brake pads or rotors every other week.
1) Not Enough Air in Your Tires
If your car is having trouble stopping, one of the first things you should check is the air pressure in your tires. While this is not necessarily a brake problem, low tire pressure can cause your brakes to work harder, leading to premature wear and tear. You can avoid this problem by checking your tires regularly and keeping them inflated to the proper level.
2) Warped Rotors
One of the most common brake problems is warped rotors. If your car’s rotors are warped, you will notice shaking when applying the brakes. This problem will cause reduce the stopping power of your car’s brakes and cause the brake pads to wear down more quickly. Fortunately, replacing the rotors is a simple job that your mechanic can handle without much trouble.
3) Worn-Out Pads
One of the most common brake problems is worn-out pads or shoes. Several things can cause this, but most often, it’s simply wear and tear. If your car trouble is due to worn-out pads or shoes, you’ll likely notice a squealing noise when you brake. To fix this, you’ll need to replace the pads or shoes. Depending on your car, this may be a simple job that you can do yourself, or it may require a trip to the mechanic.
4) Dirty or Defective Calipers
One of the most common brake problems is dirty or defective calipers. When brakes are applied, the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to create friction, slowing the vehicle down. If the calipers are dirty or defective, they may not apply enough pressure to the pads, causing reduced braking power. To fix this problem, your mechanic will need to clean or replace the calipers.
5) Leaking Fluid or Faulty Master Cylinder
A master cylinder can fail in one of two ways: it can develop a leak or lose its ability to build up enough pressure. If your master cylinder is leaking, you’ll see fluid on the ground under your car. Your brakes will feel spongy if it’s not building up enough pressure. In either case, you’ll need to have the master cylinder replaced.
Brake problems can be horrifying because the last thing you want is trouble stopping your car. So see your mechanic at the first sign of trouble to keep your car’s brakes in good condition and you and your family safe.