Most of us only think about our brakes when they make noise or fail. Otherwise, we expect them to work flawlessly whenever we press down on the pedal.

When we do so, the force is amplified and transmitted from the master cylinder to the calipers and pads. The pads respond by squeezing down on the rotor and thus, bringing our vehicle to a stop.

There are several factors that can impair this process and it’s often difficult to identify the root cause from the symptoms. Sometimes, Levitra people hear a grinding noise or feel a pulsation when they press down on the brake pedal. Other times, the pedal feels spongy or drops to the floorboard. We’ll clarify some of the potential problems that can occur by addressing five of the most common questions people ask about their brakes.

#1 – “What Does A Squeal Mean?”

Squealing is typically caused by vibrations. These vibrations can occur if the pads are held too loosely between the calipers, or the surface of the rotors is rough. In most cases, a squeal does not suggest that you need to have your pads replaced or rotors resurfaced. The pads likely have sufficient lining to work properly despite the noise.

If the squeal is due to loose pads, you can install special shims to eliminate the looseness. 10mg cialis These shims are thinly-cut strips that reduce the space between the pads and calipers. If the rotors are rough, you can have them resurfaced, but make sure that’s the root cause of the squeal. There is a minimum thickness past which rotors become unusable. They are often expensive to replace.

#2 – “What Causes Pulsing When I Press The Pedal?”

If you feel pulsations when you press down on the brake pedal, there’s a good chance your rotors are warped or bent. The former problem occurs due to heat spots that develop over time, or because the metal expands and contracts due to exposure to water. It can also occur if the pads are worn to the point where exposed metal is grinding on the rotors. Warping can be addressed through resurfacing. The latter issue can rarely be fixed; the rotor usually needs to be replaced.

#3 – “When Should I Get A Brake Job?”

If, while driving, you notice pulsations, pulling to one side, or a pedal that seems low or spongy, take your car to a mechanic. There is something wrong with the braking system that should be fixed. Even if you don’t notice any of these symptoms, your brake pads may still need to be replaced. You should check them periodically (you may need to remove your tires to do so) to examine the thickness of each pad’s lining. If it is below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum thickness, have them replaced.

#4 – “What Does A Mechanic Do During A Brake Job?”

It depends. Some repair shops offer specials during which they’ll replace your pads and bleed the lines. The mechanics will seldom touch the rotors, but may suggest resurfacing if they’re worn or warped (for a higher price, of course). Other shops will perform a complete inspection and repair or replace any component that needs to be addressed. That might include replacing the pads, resurfacing the rotors, or repairing the calipers.

#5 – “When Should I Have The Rotor Replaced?”

Earlier, I mentioned that rotors have a minimum thickness past which they cannot be used. This thickness is usually stamped onto the component. Once it is crossed, a replacement is necessary. Also, if your rotor needs to be resurfaced, but doing so crosses the minimum threshold, you will need to have it replaced. Lastly, a replacement is necessary if the rotor sustains damage of any kind.

The process by which your brake system brings your vehicle to a stop is relatively simple. But there are plenty of things that can go wrong. If you experience grinding, pulling, pulsing, or a “lazy” pedal, have your mechanic inspect the system and resolve the problem as soon as possible.

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Category: Automotive
Keywords: cars, cooling systems, brakes, transmissions, used auto parts, used car parts, rotor