Squealing and other noises: One of the telltale signs of a brake problem is a squealing sound coming from the brakes when the brake pedal is applied. The vehicle may stop well enough, but the squealing could be a symptom of worn pads. If this problem goes unchecked, the rotors can become scarred or warped due to excessive friction and heat, so it’s best to address a screech or squeal before you cause more expensive damage to the rotors. You may be able to tell how much life is left in your brakes by inspecting the pads and shoes to see if they have a thick braking surface.
Poor brake pedal response: You may also notice your vehicle not stopping as quickly as it should, or you may not get the brake performance you used to upon pressing the brake pedal. If you’re experiencing squealing, grinding, or improper brake performance, it’s time to make an appointment at Thompson Automotive.
Poor steering while braking: If your car is pulling to the side as you brake, then you might have a faulty master cylinder or proportioning valve, which will mean that your brakes won’t work in sync. You may also have poor tires, or an obstruction or warping in one of the rotors.
Car vibrating during braking: It’s disconcerting when your car begins to vibrate as you brake, and it can damage your vehicle further, or prove dangerous, if you don’t fix your brakes right away. Vibration can be caused by a variety of issues, including warped rotors (which are common if your brakes have overheated), rusted rotors (which can be caused by humidity), or an uneven rotor surface. It’s likely that your rotors will require replacing or a resurfacing to fix the vibration. In addition, you may experience your brake pedal pulsing due to an imperfect rotor or two.
Complete failure: Total brake failure can occur when your brake fluid line loses pressure. Your brake line is responsible for maintaining hydraulic pressure which applies pressure to your breaks. If your brake line loses pressure and fluid, then your brakes simply won’t work. Oftentimes, brake lines encounter small holes due to erosion, wear, and tear. You’ll have to have these holes fixed, and you’ll need your brake line topped off with fluid. Hopefully your brake warning light will appear on your dash before your vehicle becomes dangerous — don’t drive with a brake warning displaying on your dashboard!
Sometimes, driver’s may encounter a sudden loss of brake power caused by a large crack or complete break in the brake lines. You may have to have part or all of your brake line replaced with a major failure.
