Front and Rear Brakes

4 Most Common Symptoms of Worn Brake Pads & Discs

Making sure your brakes are in working order is important for any vehicle owner. The main function of brakes is to stop the car, but they can wear differently depending on vehicle and driving conditions over time. Do not ignore these common symptoms of worn brake pads and discs. The safety of you, your passengers and others is paramount.

1. The vehicle squeals when stopping. This is one of the most obvious signs that the brakes are in need of replacement. The sound is caused by a piece of metal called a wear indicator that is attached to most brake pads. When the padding of friction material has worn past a certain point this piece of metal makes contact with the disc resulting in a squeal  to alert the owner for  the need of replacement. The initial warning squeal means there is room to make it safely to a workshop for repair, but ignoring it for too long will result in a complete wearing away of the pads resulting in braking metal-on-metal causing more damage.
2. The vehicle pulls to one side when stopping. This braking issue can be the result of a frozen caliper, though pulling to one side could also be indicative of front tyres going bad or a broken belt. If it is the result of a frozen caliper then this could mean that a piston is stuck or the slide pins have lost lubrication. In some cases it could be due to a faulty proportioning valve or master cylinder, but this is not typical.
3. The brake pedal is soft, sinks to the floor, or pulsates. A soft brake pedal or one that sinks to the floor is a major braking issue indicating that the master cylinder may be leaking or that there is a leak in the braking system. Be sure to check the brake fluid level.
4. The steering wheel shakes when stopping. This is a common symptom of break issues for virtually any make and model vehicle. It can be the result of warped front rotors or when pad impressions form. Since pads should be flat and even the impressions or indents can cause a shakey stop. Pad impressions can form when a vehicle sits for a prolonged period of time without being driven, especially when temperatures are high, or when excessive moisture exposure causes rotors to rust around the pad.

The best way to determine this fault is by the diagnostic professionals.

 

Belrose Service Centre provides full repair service for all vehicle braking needs:

• Brake pad replacement
• Rotor service
• Brake cylinders replacement &  Anti-Lock Brake System service