Diy Automotive Repair how to Diagnose Brake Problems
There really isn't a more wonderful experience for a Kansas mom than getting off of a plane in Orange, California to see your two college age daughters, than being greeted by the familiar sound of that gut-wrenching grinding of metal against metal as we pulled to a quick stop upon leaving the airport on a California freeway. I then discovered that like many other people, I obviously had not taught my children to recognize warning signs for brake problems, or for that matter reminded them of basic preventive maintenance before problems become severe, dangerous and expensive.
Four hundred dollars, two rotors and four brake shoes and pads later, (which was reasonable for the West Coast,thanks to a kind local mechanic), my daughters and I went over the basics of brake maintenance and recognizing key warning signs of brake problems.
First and foremost, get a four-wheel brake check every six months, regardless of whether noise is heard or any brake problems have been experienced. A good rule of thumb is when the car is taken in for the routine oil check or tire rotation, also run a check on the brakes.
A brake light will not come on unless a brake problem has worn into the drum. If the brake light has come on, usually the entire system needs to be replaced and the vehicle is a danger to drive. Not only have the shoes and pads been worn, but most likely the problem extends from the rotor into the drum. It is very expensive to repair the entire brake system.
Between checks these are some warning signs of brake problems:
1. Get used to the car. I tell both of my daughters, turn off the radio from time to time. Listen to the sound the car makes when you drive and when you brake. Also, feel the car. If the brake pedal feels mushy or gets harder and higher when you pump it, the brakes may need to be bled. (this means to get the air bubbles out of the lines)
2. If a high pitched scraping or squealing noise goes away when you step on the brake your brake pads might be worn. -only if the brake pads have sensors attached.
3. A grinding of metal against metal sound when braking indicates it is too late. The brake pads and shoes are gone. And now they are grinding into your rotors and soon into your drums. Stop driving the vehicle and get the car your mechanic. Sometimes they can smooth those rotors out if caught soon enough.
4. If the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor, the vehicle could need a new brake master cylinder.
5. If the car pulls to one side when the brakes are applied, the hydraulic pressure may be off or one brake could be sticking. The car's front end could also be out of alignment.
6. Does your car shimmy or pulsate when you brake at higher speeds? This could be an indication of warped rotors. Alignment could also be a problem.
7. Brakes that are smoking along with a bad smell might indicate a stuck brake caliper or wheel cylinder. Also, check the emergency brake. The emergency brake may have left that on even just a bit.
8. Look for orange wheel dust around hub caps. This could be rotor dust. If you see this, get the vehicle in for a check even if you hear no noise.
Again, preventive maintenance is always less expensive and safer; not only when diagnosing brake problems but in every working mechanism of the vehicle.
Pulling out of the little gas station where our repairs were made, and seeing for myself that the brakes were in top form, I was very pleased that I had come into town in the nick of time to save the day. Of course, I knew the feeling was so very mutual in the car with my children. Just about the time I had that warm fuzzy, motherly "I am still needed" coziness with my kids, I heard this heavy sigh in the back seat from the oldest..."What's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, I was just thinking about that $400.00 and how we're not going to be spending that money this weekend at the mall..."
I looked in the rear-view mirror and smiled. Brake lesson 101 taught and mastered.
