8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

Thank you for choosing D&D Autoworks for your vehicles’ service, maintenance and repair.

Ways to tell if you need new brakes

by | Aug 28, 2013 | Auto Repair, Brake Repair, General Car Maintenance, Vehicle Safety Inspections

The brakes are one of the most important part of your vehicle, as they are the parts that provide stopping power to your vehicle. When you apply the brakes you may notice some signs they need to be replaced or repaired. Noises like grinding or high pitched squealing may be heard. You might also notice that the brake pedal vibrates or becomes extremely spongy. By bringing in your vehicle as soon as possible for a brake inspection, you can help to avoid any serious issues down the road. Usually a brake inspection will involve removing all four tires while the mechanic visually looks at all the brake components for wear. A firm estimate can be provided after the inspection. The inspection can also involve measuring the thickness of the rotors and the condition of the calipers on your vehicle. The emergency brake cables will also be inspected, along with the condition and level of the brake fluid.

Noises you might hear from the brake system

The most common noise you may hear while applying the brakes is either a squealing or grinding sound. This noise that you hear is a metal on metal sound that is created when the brake pads are worn down to the brake rotors, and serves as a warning to the brake pads. When the brake pads wear down to the wear indicator level. There may also make the squealing noise. If you hear this noise, and the brake pads are not replaced shortly, it will result in more material wearing off each time you apply the brakes. Worn out brakes are not something to ignore as they relate directly to your driving safety. Also, you could be causing wear to your rotors, wheel cylinders, as well as other parts. As these parts all wear, it may be causing a more costly repair for when you bring in your vehicle.

Other signs you may notice with your brakes

Besides noise you may hear, you will also be able to feel how the brakes are working. This also can help to determine if your vehicle is in need of a brake inspection. Feeling the brakes grab or pull to one side or another is a sign that they need to be repaired soon. Sometimes you may notice the condition of the brake pedal. If it is almost touching the floorboards when you apply it, your brakes are wearing out and you should bring your vehicle in as soon as possible. If you also need to pump the brake pedal a few times before the vehicle stops, this can be a sign that your brakes are failing and it is important to your safety to have them repaired.

Make sure to go to your regularly scheduled maintenances

Having regular scheduled maintenances performed can help keep your vehicle in as good of working order as possible. This can help to provide you with a comfortable drive no matter if you are traveling a long distance, or if it is just for daily commutes. Going in for scheduled maintenances can help you to avoid a more serious or expensive issue in the near future.