What Should Be Replaced During A Brake Inspection
Good brakes are important for safe driving. Having well-maintained brakes can keep you out of danger. Therefore, you need to carefully maintain your brakes. The three key parts inspected in disc brake repair services are the pads, calipers and rotors. With the disc brakes, the brake pads rub on the rotor to slow the tires. The brake pads are attached to a caliper that pushes the pads against the rotor every time one steps on the brake. These three parts wear out over time. A certified technician can help identify what parts are worn and need replacement. He looks for these problems:
Brake Pads
Brake pads material is soft and wears out every time you press the brakes. However, if the brakes suddenly start to squeal or grind, have your technician check them out. He will perform a thorough brake pad inspection to determine if it's time to replace the pads. He will measure the thickness of the brake pad lining to tell whether the linings on your brakes are completely worn. If they are worn to the metal components, the disc has to be resurfaced and replaced.
Brake Rotors
Dirty, oily, rusted, warped and cracked rotors are a common cause of brake failure. Your technician will use isopropyl alcohol to clean the rotors. Other cleaners can easily contaminate and damage the rotors. To inspect the rotors for dents or warping, the technician will spin the wheel while watching the rotors as they rotate past the brake pads. If the rotors do not rub the pads, slight lateral adjustments are acceptable. However if the rotor rubs the brake pad in one spot, the technician will place a clean rag over the brake rotor and bend it slightly with an adjustable twist. On modern vehicles, many brake rotors are designed only to last one brake service.
Brake Calipers
Brake calipers also wear out over time. When calipers begin to fail, they become very hot and develop leaks, causing loss of brake control. To remove the brake caliper, your technician will loosen the bleeder screw which is located at the back of the brake caliper. He will then disconnect the flex hose by loosening the fitting that joins it to the car. He will check to see how corrosion has caused the piston to stick to other parts. If leaks are detected, then it is time to replace the calipers.
Doing regular brake inspection and maintenance keeps them working safely- and you could easily avoid premature brake repairs down the road.