ALT-2 How to Reduce the Potential for Expensive Brake Repairs
One of the easiest ways to avoid expensive break repairs is to check them at least twice a year. If you can catch break wear early, you can avoid replacing rotors, which can add up depending on what kind of vehicle you have. Calipers can be caught early on as well by noticing uneven pad wear during a good brake inspection. Catching a caliper in it's early stages can prevent; brake pad wear, rotor warping, and possible tow bills if one ever locks up during travels.
Noises, such as grinding or squeaking can be signs of wear and can help you prevent repair bills. Grinding generally is when your brake pads are grinding on your rotors. This will generally require replacement of both pads and rotors. Squeaking can be caused by a variety of things. If it only happens on humid, or wet days, and doesn't last more than a few stops, you probably are just hearing brake pads wicking away moisture from the rotors. Squeaking constantly as you go down the road can be associated with a loose or dry wheel bearing, or hub. If this is the case have a mechanic check your brakes and bearings. Squeaking just as you come to a stop is generally the sound you get from wear tabs in the brake pads that touch the metal rotor and make noise to let you know they need replacing. However, these noises can also be signs of it being too late. Routine checking such as once in the spring, and once in the fall will assure you that nothing major is happening.
The easiest way to reduce the potential for expensive brake repairs is to monitor your driving habits and change what is necessary. In today's world I see more and more drivers accelerate hard through 1 block, then get back on the brakes to stop quick, then accelerate again. This driving condition is a major cause of expensive break repairs as you are using your brakes harder, and more frequently. Take your time, that extra half second you just gained meant nothing, and each time you do it your burning up brake pads.
Take note of this and correct it and have your brakes checked twice a year, you wont come across expensive brake repair bills.
