There are many different types of brake repairs, but some of the most common include pad replacements, rotor replacements, caliper replacements, and fluid flushes. The type of brake repair that you need will depend on the specific problem with your brakes.
Brakes are one of your vehicle's most paramount safety features. They grant you the power to stop swiftly and securely, which can help minimize the likelihood of an accident. Regular brake upkeep provides an essential protective measure for your car, as functioning brakes can be the deciding factor between a safe trip or a hazardous drive.
Cost-Effective Brake Repairs: Your Route to a Safer Vehicle
Servicing your brakes ranks highly in vehicle maintenance priorities.
- Guaranteeing Safety: Regular and correct brake maintenance is critical to averting accidents. Malfunctioning brakes can compromise your ability to avoid crashes, which might cause serious harm.
- Improving Brake Efficiency: Deteriorated brakes undermine your vehicle's stopping power, especially in urgent situations. Brake repairs enhance functionality, facilitating safer and quicker stops.
- Extending Brake System Lifespan: Addressing brake problems timely is key to prolonging your brake system’s longevity, and neglecting them can escalate to other complications, incurring higher repair costs down the road.
- Reducing Vehicle Maintenance Costs: Early intervention in brake issues can save you substantial amounts in the future by preventing more extensive and pricier repairs down the line.
Don't Ignore The 3 Tell-Tale Signs That Your Brakes Need Repairs or Replacements
- Distinct noises such as squeals or grinds when braking are usually a signal of worn brake pads necessitating replacement.
- A spongy brake pedal or a pedal that goes to the floor suggests low brake fluid levels or malfunctioning brake calipers.
- If your car tends to veer to one side upon braking, it could hint at defective brake rotors or uneven brake pad wear.
- Last but not least, your brake warning light coming on can indicate several issues, such as low brake fluid or a potential issue with your brake system.
Brake Calipers
Brake calipers are integral to your vehicle’s braking mechanism. They function through a process initiated by the driver applying force to the brake pedal, triggering hydraulic pressure on the pistons inside the caliper, which then press the brake pads against the rotor. This helps your vehicle decelerate and eventually come to a complete stop.
Most brake calipers do not typically require frequent replacement, but several warning signs indicate when it is time to replace them. One common sign is when a caliper becomes stuck, causing your vehicle to pull to one side when braking. This situation often results in one brake system functioning more effectively than the other. Addressing malfunctioning brake calipers promptly prevents escalated safety risks and higher future repair expenses.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid has a dual function: ensuring effective braking and safeguarding the braking system from excess moisture, which can lead to corrosion and rust. Proper brake fluid maintenance is vital, particularly in harsh conditions, to maintain the brake system’s reliability and function.
As brake fluid ages, it gradually loses its effectiveness in adequately lubricating essential components of your vehicle. This deterioration can jeopardize the overall functionality and reliability of your braking system. Considering that the average driver in the United States uses their brakes approximately 75,000 times per year, it becomes even more critical to get your brake fluid regularly replaced.
Brake Pad Replacement
Brake pads are pivotal in the effective functioning of your car's braking system. They can naturally degrade over time, impairing your ability to brake effectively. It is recommended to replace the brake pads when they thin down to less than a quarter of an inch or upon hearing a squealing noise.
Disregarding the wear and tear of your brake pads can drastically extend the stopping distance of your vehicle, putting you and your passengers at higher risk for accidents. Preventative upkeep helps you maintain your car’s braking system so you can remain safe on the road and evade unanticipated damages and expensive repairs.
Brake Rotors
Brake rotors, though often overlooked, are essential to helping your vehicle come to a safe stop. Keeping them in prime condition helps your car avoid issues such as heat absorption, incapability, and potential failure.
At Perry's Automotive Inc, our professional technicians will assess the thickness of your brake rotors during our services. Worn-out rotors may lack the sufficient metal mass needed to facilitate safe braking. Furthermore, a distorted or impaired brake rotor augments the wear rate of brake pads, leading to more frequent replacements and costly expenses.
Persistent upkeep is indispensable in guaranteeing that your brake rotors function optimally and safely. The expert team at Perry's Automotive Inc stands ready to assist you in selecting the ideal brake rotors and pads tailored to your vehicle's needs.
Drum Brakes
Drum brakes operate by having two brake shoes apply force against a rotating drum, which helps to decelerate or stop a vehicle. Commonly installed on the rear wheels of various automobiles, they can occasionally be found on the front wheels as well.
Drum brakes are often favored for their simple design and affordable production costs. They boast superior resistance to elements such as water and dust compared to their disc brake counterparts, making them a preferable option in especially wet or dusty conditions. Despite being less common than disc brakes, their beneficial attributes ensure they retain a presence in the modern automobile market.
Brake Maintenance
There are a couple of simple practices you can do to maintain the durability of your braking system. Try to steer clear of driving through puddles or wet areas whenever possible, as water levels can build up and adversely affect your brake performance. Furthermore, keeping your brakes clean and free from dirt and debris is essential to maintain their effectiveness. Lastly, schedule and follow up on routine inspections with your trusted local mechanics, who can thoroughly examine your brakes for signs of wear. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can ensure the ongoing safety and optimal functionality of your brakes.
Our Brake Inspection Process
During our brake inspection process, our professional technicians will assess key components such as the calipers, fluid levels, pads, and rotors to ensure they are operating without issues. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to assess the overall condition of your braking system and make any necessary adjustments, recommendations, or fixes.
Contact us by calling 530-241-8544 or visiting Perry's Automotive Inc in Redding, California, today—we'll help you maintain the integrity of your car’s braking system and optimize its long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended that you have your brakes inspected every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. However, if you frequently take long road trips or drive in heavy traffic, you may need to have your brakes inspected more often. For example, depending on your make and model, you may need to get your brakes inspected every 12,000 miles or 12 months.
There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your brakes. Three of the most common best practices include avoiding hard braking whenever possible, coasting to stops whenever possible, and maintaining routine brake inspections.