Signs Brake Repair Is Necessary

This might sound silly but if you just "listen" to your car it can tell you a lot. People who have had the same car for years know all the little ticks, hums, and sounds that their car makes and know immediately when something is wrong. Often times, by just paying attention to the signs that there is a problem, you can head off a brake repair before it gets to be really expensive.

Probably the most obvious sign that brake repair is imminent is the sounds, the squeaking and grinding that makes every driver cringe. It's almost like nails on a chalkboard; it's just as annoying and very distinctive. By taking your car in when that sound first starts, though, you can stop further damage. That sound is from the metal brackets scraping against the metal rotor which can cause scratches on the rotor or the rotor to warp. You should act when you first hear the sound; it'll save you some money and a lot of frustration.

Pads, however, aren't the only thing to go bad and require brake repair. If you are driving along and feel a soft feeling when you go to stop the car then you could have issues with the master cylinder. The master cylinder is the part of the car that contains the brake fluid. When the fluid starts to get low, or the cylinder starts to leak, you'll feel a soft, squishy, or spongy feeling when you try to stop your car. If the fluid is simply low you can buy some at your local auto supply store and be on your way. If, after filling it up, you notice this feeling again you might want to have a mechanic look at it to ensure the cylinder isn't the issue.

Another indicator that brake repair is really necessary is having trouble stopping. Usually by this point you'll have noticed other indicators like the soft feeling, continuing depression of the pedal once you've pressed it, or the scraping and grinding noises. But if you've let it go this long you have a major problem. This could be worn pads, warped rotors, leaking capillaries, or worn out cylinder. It could also indicate air in the lines. The point is that by this point the maintenance bill is going to be an expensive one. This is where the cost rises because you'll have multiple items that need to be repaired.

If you pay attention to your car you can avoid this last indicator all together. By having routine inspections performed and simply paying attention to what your car is "telling" you then you can have your repairs performed quickly, easily, and relatively cheaply.