Brake repair involves restoring the system’s operationality, function, and performance. That means removing, inspecting, and replacing worn or damaged components.
If you feel a pulsation in the brake pedal, your rotors may have high spots that need resurfacing. Also, a leak in the master cylinder or proportioning valve should be repaired. Contact Brake Repair San Juan now!
Whether made of organic, ceramic, or metal-based materials, brake pads or shoes are designed to absorb the heat generated by friction while slowing down and stopping your car. Depending on your driving style, these may wear down faster than other car parts, and regular inspections are the best way to keep them from wearing out prematurely.
You can visually check your car’s brake pads by looking through the wheel spokes for signs of thinning or discoloration. If the brake pads appear thinner than 1/4-inch, this indicates that it’s time for a replacement. You can also schedule a professional service appointment to have a mechanic examine the condition of your car’s brakes and determine when you should replace your brake pads or shoes.
Most modern brake pads have a built-in feature to warn drivers when the pads are starting to wear down. The most common is a small metal tab embedded in the brake pad that scrapes against the rotor when the pads are worn down, creating a distinctive screech. Some brake pads also contain a soft metal wear tab that closes an electric circuit when the pads are worn down, triggering a dashboard warning light.
Other indicators of a low-performing brake pad include grinding noises, a noticeable loss of stopping power, and an uneven brake pedal. A sudden veering to the left or right can indicate that the brake pads on one side of your vehicle are more worn than those on the other, which can cause the rest of the braking system to compensate and lead to even more premature wear and damage.
When you need to replace your brake pads or shoes, it’s best to visit a BRAKEmax brake specialist before the pads wear down completely and start damaging your rotors and other car components. In addition to replacing the pads or shoes, your mechanic can inspect and make any necessary repairs to the caliper or other braking components, such as resurfacing or remachining the rotor.
Regardless of which type of brake pads you choose (organic, ceramic, or metallic), it’s important to demand top-quality products from reputable manufacturers. Generic brake parts are usually cheaper but will wear down quickly and leave you with expensive rotor and disc replacement costs down the road. In most cases, top-quality brake pads will have the manufacturer’s name prominently displayed on the packaging.
Brake Rotors
Your brake rotor is the large iron or steel disc that, along with your car’s brake pads, clamp down on your wheels when you use your brakes. They are the heaviest and largest single component on each wheel and, as such, they are subject to the most wear and tear.
Most brake rotors are steel in construction, but they come in various forms and finishes for different purposes. Daily drivers typically see all-steel rotors to save on price and weight, while high-performance cars get a variety of cross-drilled, vented, and slotted designs for enhanced cooling efficiency and better braking performance under heavy or repetitive stress.
Rotors also vary in their machining, which is the process by which they are made smooth and even by machine tools. The smooth surface is important because it allows your brake pads to make full contact when they press against them. Over time, rotors can lose their smooth finish through wear or due to environmental factors like excessive heat, which can lead to warping.
Overheated rotors often show signs of this damage in the form of blue spots or sections, grooving, cupping, and rusting. They can also become warped, which reduces the amount of surface area with which your brake pads make contact. This, in turn, creates a cycle where your brakes squeal and vibrate when you drive because the pads can’t effectively grip the uneven surface of the rotor.
If you notice any of these issues, the quickest and most affordable solution is to have your rotors resurfaced. This involves removing the outer layer of the rotor and then grinding it down to its safe thickness level. The rotor is then repainted and ready for your next brake service.
You can also replace your brake rotors altogether, though this is generally only recommended if they are severely worn down or damaged. In this case, you’ll need to find a good quality replacement that is designed for your vehicle. When installing new rotors, you can follow break-in procedures to help them perform at their best. To do this, find an open stretch of road and slowly accelerate to 35 MPH, then apply moderate braking pressure several times.
Brake Lines
Your car’s brake lines transport pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brake hoses that connect to the wheel calipers or cylinders, depending on vehicle configuration. Brake lines help maintain brake system pressure, are typically made of steel or stainless steel, and have flared ends with specific fittings that attach to the various brake components.
Brake lines are prone to corrosion, particularly in areas with road salt use during winter. Corrosion eats away at the internal steel structures of brake lines, eventually causing them to rupture and cause loss of hydraulic pressure when you step on the brake pedal. They can also become damaged by physical damage or bending, particularly if they are not handled with care during installation, maintenance or repairs.
Unlike brake hoses, which can usually be replaced in their entirety, brake lines may need to be entirely replaced. This is because the metal lines are exposed to the elements and corrode more rapidly than their hose counterparts. This is why it is important to inspect your brake line if you have a leak or think that they might be leaking or damaged.
Aside from being prone to corrosion, brake lines are also vulnerable to physical damage, such as squeezing or pinching. This can lead to leaks and a drop in hydraulic pressure, which can have catastrophic consequences for your safety when you are driving on the road.
Repairing damaged brake lines involves removing the old line and installing the new one. This can be a relatively straightforward job for experienced DIYers, but it does require some specialized tools and knowledge. In addition to a brake line wrench, you will need a pair of pliers, a ratchet and socket, or other appropriate tools to remove any retaining clips, bolts, screws or other fasteners that are holding the brake line in place at its connections.
If the retaining clips are not easily removed, you will need to use a wire cutter to cut the old line free. Next, you will need to prepare the end of the new brake line for installation by applying penetrating oil and loosening the fitting using a flare nut wrench. During this process, you will need to carefully hold the brake line steady so it doesn’t twist or bend out of position and cause additional damage or break off completely. If the rusty or tightly-fitting flare nut becomes stuck, you may need to apply heat to warm and expand it so that you can loosen it more easily.
Brake Cylinders
The master cylinder is the brains behind your car’s brake system. It generates all the pressure, distributes it to the calipers and wheels via the brake lines, and also controls how much brake fluid is in your system. It’s important to inspect it regularly for signs of wear, which are often noticeable by a spongy or inconsistent pedal feel. A soft or spongy pedal can mean air in the brake lines or a leak from the master cylinder itself, which will reduce its braking efficiency.
The seals and gaskets in the master cylinder are designed to prevent fluid loss, but they can wear down over time. Regular inspection and replacement will help to keep your car’s brake fluid at optimal levels.
When the pads or rotors are worn down, they make metal-on-metal contact, which is what creates that unmistakable, high-pitched noise. This is what the squealing comes from, and it should alert you to replace your brake pads or schedule an appointment for service. The squealing can also indicate that the brake shoes or calipers are dirty and need to be cleaned.
Your brake lines carry pressurized hydraulic fluid out of the master cylinder, into slave cylinders on each wheel. Each cylinder then applies pressure to the brake calipers, which clamp down on the brake disc or rotor. This is how your car or truck’s braking system stops you on the highway, at work, and when stopping to help that elderly echidna across the road.
The master cylinder contains a pressure differential valve that monitors the pressure in both brake circuits. If the pressure in one circuit drops, this triggers a switch that illuminates your brake warning light, which can be useful for detecting potential problems such as a leak or internal damage from heat and friction.
Replacing a brake master cylinder can seem like an intimidating task, but it’s actually fairly straightforward. Just remember to set the parking brake before lifting your vehicle, and be sure you have all the proper tools on hand. It’s also a good idea to apply some penetrating oil to the brake lines before you remove them. This will help prevent any brake fluid from leaking out of the disconnected line while you’re working on other parts of the system.