Personal Blog

Brake repair is nothing to fear. Your brakes are doing you a favor by squeaking and squealing like that; in fact, brake repair actually means that your brakes are doing their job. Having worn brakes means that they have been stopping your car properly!

Brake wear indicators are the components that squeal when they wear down, signalling that it's time for brake repair work. This doesn't mean that something is wrong with your brakes, just that they need servicing to keep them running smoothly. Wear indicator against turning rotor isn't the only signal for brake repair, however. Does your brake light go on when your parking brake is disengaged? Have your brake fluid level checked if this happens; it may need replenishing. Pooling light amber fluid and or a pungent odor also indicate issues with your brake fluid. Have your fluid line checked for leaks.

Do either your brake pedal or your wheel vibrate? Issues could be developing with your rotor surface. Do your brakes squeal when you let up on the brake pedal? This could mean that your brake wear indicators are scraping against your rotors. Grinding or growling brakes mean metal on metal contact, which means your brake pedals have worn away completely. But, it's an entirely different story if your brakes squeal until your car comes to a full stop. This is the exception to the rule, if you have recently had your car in to the shop for brake repair, and means just that the technician may not have taken the brake repair process all the way to the end. This should not be a cause for concern, but you may want to return your car to the shop anyway, to be on the safe side. Generally speaking, you should always take your car in for brake repair as soon as you notice any of these warning signs, before the situation gets any worse. You'll be glad you did!

Don't forget to also have your brake fluid inspected on a regular basis. Fluid can be contaminated by moisture and metal flakes that will interfere with proper brake function. Contaminated brake fluid generally results in the need for caliper and wheel cylinder replacement. And, speaking of inspections, experts recommend that car owners have their brakes inspected on an annual basis, or twice a year if the vehicle is regularly used for heavy hauling or towing.

Finally, don't automatically have your brake fluid topped off every time your car is in the shop for service. Full fluid levels prevent your wear indicators from doing their job properly. And don't forget to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Evenly worn tire surfaces create the proper amount of road surface friction needed to stop your car!

Arslan writes about brake repair.For more information on brake repair see  http://www.PrecisionTune.com