Brake Warning Signs to Look, Feel and Listen For

Mechanic Brakes by Guido1982 via Pixabay (Public Domain)

It doesn’t matter how well your car gets up to speed if it can’t stop when you need it to. Brakes are the component many drivers don’t even think about until something goes wrong. Pressing the brake pedal and having nothing happen is a nightmare scenario, but you can do a lot to prevent this from happening by learning about your brake system and maintaining your brake pads and rotors.

How to Spot Bad Brakes on Your Car

Look: Unless you’ve got the right tools and know-how, it’s best to leave a visual inspection of your disc brake pads to the professionals. This inspection involves jacking up the car and removing your wheel and brake caliper. Thankfully, there are a few warning signs you can be on the lookout for so you know when to maintain your brakes. If you have the right wheels, you can perform a rudimentary visual inspection of your rotor simply by looking through the spokes in your rim.

Listen: Brakes at the end of their lifespan will emit a high-pitched sound when brake pressure is applied. It’s not unusual for brakes to make a high-pitched sound on a cold start or after being exposed to water, because of rust forming on the rotors. Friction acting on the rotors removes the rust and the sound, but if the screeching sound doesn’t stop, then you may need to bring your car to a mechanic.

A loud metallic growling or grinding sound could be a sign that your pads have completely worn out, and the metal calipers holding the pads are now grinding against the metal rotor, creating scoring marks that give the rotor an uneven surface. In this instance, the rotors need to be turned or resurfaced, if not replaced as well.

Feel: Brake fade is also a warning sign, when your brakes are no longer as responsive as they should be, especially when the pedal noticeably “sinks” into the floor. When you feel your car pulling to one side as you brake, your brake linings may be wearing unevenly, or your brake fluid might be contaminated with foreign matter.

A vibrating or pulsating sensation on the brake pedal could indicate warped rotors, commonly caused by prolonged severe braking, such as when driving down a steep mountain. Heat caused by friction buildup can warp the rotors, which causes the pads to struggle to maintain grip. You may need to replace your rotors and adjust your braking habits so this doesn’t happen again.

Bad Brakes are Showstoppers, and Not in a Good Way

A faulty set of brakes is the last thing that you need, no matter what speed you’re travelling. Bad brakes can easily be the cause of a damaged exterior. To get your car looking as good as new again, bring it to Yark Body Shop for estimates and expert service. Visit us at 6019 West Central Avenue, Toledo, OH. Call (888) 667-0350 for an appointment with our professional staff!