Importance Of Brake Service
Why is brake repair and service so important? Brakes are arguably one of the most important things you need to maintain on your vehicle. If you hear grinding or squealing noises when you press your brake pedal it is important to get them looked at. There could be something wrong with them that would increase your braking distance and reduce the safety of your vehicle. The following are some things that might need to be addressed:
- Replace pads
- Replace rotors
- Lubricate caliper slides and other metal contact points
- Machine rotors
- Brake Fluid Flush
- Cleaning and adjusting brake shoes and hardware
- Brake wear sensors
The brakes on your car are wear items and will need to be replaced or serviced as time passes. Brakes can be either of the disc or drum type. Every time you brake, you wear down the pads a little bit until eventually they need to be replaced. If you wait too long or there are issues with the performance of the mechanisms, the rotors can be damaged or warped. Sometimes the rotors can be machined to give them a new contact surface for the pads.
Usually front brakes wear out more quickly than rear because as you slow, the weight of the vehicle is transferred to the front, putting more pressure on the front brakes. In the case of Hondas and Volkswagens brakes however, the brake proportioning has been changed to decrease stopping distance by distributing the braking more evenly between the front and rear of the vehicle. Therefore, Honda brake service is a little different. Some vehicles, such as BMWs and Mercedes, have brake pad wear sensors. These sensors turn a light on when the brakes have worn down, illuminating a light on the dashboard to warn of needed service. When servicing your brakes at HIS Auto, we routinely replace brake sensors.
Brake fluid is compressed when you push the brake pedal and pushes your pads and or shoes to bring them in contact with the rotors or drums. This hydraulic system frequently absorbs moisture like a sponge. Water boils as heat is built in the system and steam doesn't compress the same way that brake fluid does. That is why it is important to have this fluid flushed periodically. By keeping this important system in proper working order you can make sure that you are safe when you are on the road.
