Taking car of your car can be a lot of work and it can be difficult if you’re not sure exactly which parts need servicing. Some people might end up searching the best options through their dealership or looking “best brake service near me,” but without knowing what they need they might end up overpaying for services their car didn’t require just yet. This is why it can be important to understand the basics of how brakes work, what can go wrong, and when you need repairs.
How Brakes Work
The first thing to know is how brakes work and how they are manufactured. On most cars there are three main components to breaks: the brake disc, the caliper, and the brake pads. If you look through the slats in your hubcap, you can probably see the brake disc sitting around the center of your axle. The caliper is the housing for your break pads, which sit on either side of your brake disc. When you want to stop your car, a hydraulic pressure powers the caliper, which squeezes the brake pads against the brake disc and uses friction to stop the car.
Common Issues
As you can imagine, the friction brake pads endure at high speeds can result in a considerable amount of heat and stray particles when you brake. This can slowly wear down your break pads and make it more and more difficult to brake. Additionally, driving in the rain or living in a humid environment can contribute to potential rusting of the break pads or caliper if not properly maintained. Both of these issues can lead to your break pads sticking or not releasing fully when you ease up on the brake. This would be a good time to replace old brake pads to ensure your safety and the quality of your car.
Benefits of Service
If you regularly rotate your tires and have your car serviced, then odds are your brakes are regularly checked by your automotive technician. Making sure your brake pads and brake mechanics are routinely inspected can mean the difference between having to replace a couple of brake pads and having to replace an entire caliper. It also can help you to make sure you are rotating your pads so they wear down evenly and last longer in your tires. Keeping them rotated can also keep your car from squeaking when you brake.