Brake System Inspection and Repair

Cars are built to much higher quality levels now than they were during the 60s, 70s and 80s. In those earlier decades, it was uncommon for a car to reach 100,000 miles on the odometer; anyone considering purchasing a used car would seldom consider anything older than three years or with more than 40,000 miles.

For cars built in the mid to late 90s, it was not uncommon to see mileages in the upper 100,000 range. A six or seven year old vehicle could be purchased knowing that with a little bit of effort, there was still three to five years of reliable transportation left in them.

This higher level of quality has meant that many people are keeping cars for ten years or more. While this may not be the greatest news for car dealers in terms of sales, it does benefit both they and other providers of repair and maintenance services. Car owners can easily require some kind of brake repair service multiple times over the life of a car. Even exhaust systems, even though made of higher quality corrosion resistant materials compared to earlier decades, will require repair or replacement over the long life of today’s vehicles.

Preventative maintenance is always less expensive than major braking system repair and replacement procedures. Here are a few warning signs that braking or exhaust systems need some attention.

Pads have a metal wear indicator on them to alert the driver of the need of having them replaced. It sounds something like a locomotive in the movies trying to stop to avoid a train wreck, or fingernails scraping on a blackboard. Having brake systems inspected as soon as this sound is heard is an easy way to avoid more costly damage to brake rotors.

Shoes are essentially the same as pads. They are typically found on cars that have drum rather than disc brakes, usually on the rear axle. They don’t have a wear indicator, so getting them inspected in the best way to know if and when they need replaced.

Rotors or discs alert the need to be resurfaced when they warp by causing the steering wheel to vibrate. Depending on driver habits, they can often be resurfaced, or “turned” on a brake lathe about three times before they must be replaced. Turning and pad replacement are the most common brake repair services.

Calipers translate the force of the driver’s foot on the pedal to the pads, which in turn squeeze the rotor. A car that pulls to one side when braking may have a caliper that is malfunctioning. If this situation is ignored, it can be both a safety issue and a costly repair. Regular inspection can prevent this scenario.

Hoses can be damaged by running over a foreign object on the road. They can also corrode over time. If they fail, the result can be an immediate loss of the ability to stop. They should be checked regularly for leaks and signs of corrosion or weakness.

Fluid needs to be replaced around 50-100K. It is “hygroscopic,” meaning that it absorbs water, causing it to lose its effectiveness.