3 Clues That Your Brakes May Need Therapy

Anyone who drives a car knows that maintenance is a requirement. In most cases, it is important toget that maintenance before a small problem turns into a bigger problem. Your car's braking systemneeds regular upkeep if you want to stay as safe on the road as possible. Additionally, brakingsystems are much more complex than just brake pads and shoes. That means that a number ofthings can go wrong - from problems with the lines and hoses, to bent drums and rotors - thatrequire your immediate attention if you want to stop your problem from snowballing. In order to stayahead, you need to pay close attention to what you car is telling you. How do you know when yourbraking system might need some TLC? Watch out for these three signs that your brakes need to bechecked:

The squeal

There is perhaps no more obvious sign that they need attention than that all-too familiar, tell-talesqueal. If you listen closely, you can even identify which brake(s) need replacing. So, just what is itthat causes this hard to ignore sound? Generally speaking, your system works through frictionbetween your pads and rotors. This friction naturally wears the brake pads down over time. Mostpads have a built-in indicator to alert you of when they need to be replaced - usually a steel clip -that makes a high-pitched sound when it comes into contact with the rotor.

Vibration

You may feel a vibration when you press on your brake pedal. This most likely means that yourrotors are warped. They may become warped if you go too long without replacing your brake pads,

or even just from the pressure of driving down steep terrain. Either way, if your rotors are sendingthose vibrations your way, you need to have them checked out (and most likely replaced).

A problematic pedal

Pedal problems can go either way - either too "mushy" or too "sensitive" - and each problem isindicative of different types of brake issues. For example, if your pedal feels mushy when you pushon it, then there is likely a problem in the brake lines or hydraulic system; if your pedal ishypersensitive, the problem may be a worn rotor or dirty brake fluid.

Finding the right auto repair shop for you can be a little intimidating. If you want quality servicefrom a name you can trust, then you should put this important job into the hands of experienced autoprofessionals.

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