Welcome to my blog. My name is Ken. One day, I was driving home from work when the engine in my car failed. While I waited for the recovery truck to arrive, I realised I didn’t have a clue what went on underneath the bonnet of my car. I signed up for an auto service course at my local community college, so I could gain the skills I needed to properly maintain my car and repair it if something when wrong while I was on the road. I wanted to start a blog to pass on these skills to other people so that they can look after their automobiles.
When your vehicle's brakes don't work as they should, one common reason for this is that the brake pads are worn down and need replacing. However, this is not the only reason a car may experience some problems with the braking system; note a few other reasons why the brakes or even the brake pedal in the vehicle may act up or fail to work properly, so you can know what to expect by way of needed repairs.
Brake pedal is too firm
If the brake pedal doesn't ease toward the floor but feels very stiff, this may indicate an obstruction in the brake line. Rust, dirt, and other debris may have filled the line so that there is pressure pushing back on the pedal when you try to apply it, and it then becomes very stiff and firm. This can cause permanent damage to the brake line, so have them bled and cleaned and then refill the fluid as necessary.
The brake vacuum unit can also be malfunctioning when the pedal is too stiff; this unit creates a vacuum in the brake lines which is what creates the pressure that closes the calipers around the brake pads. If this unit has a leak, there is no vacuum and the fluid in the brake lines may refuse to move, causing the pedal to be too firm.
Spongy brakes
If the brakes of the car work but they're very weak, meaning they take longer to respond or don't support sudden stops, the fluid may be contaminated. Contaminated fluid won't flow as easily through the brake lines, and the vacuum unit may not be able to create the pressure needed when there is build-up in that fluid. The car may stop, but not as quickly or firmly when this happens, so have the lines flushed and drained and fresh fluid added.
Squealing and scraping
If you notice loud squealing and scraping sounds when you apply the brakes, this could be a slipped pad; if a brake pad slips, it can get caught in the calipers and squeal and scrape when pressure is applied. The rotors may also be worn down and need to be turned, which is a form of grinding that creates a smooth surface. An uneven surface of the rotors or lots of notches and grooves can cause the pads to squeal when they close around that metal. The brakes may also have a leak in the lines, so there is not enough brake fluid to create even pressure, and the pads scrape against the rotor rather than closing it smoothly.
For more information, contact your local mechanic today!
Share25 May 2017
