Did you know that approximately 22% of accidents that occur on the road are attributed to brake failure in vehicles? Excluding human error, brake failure accounting for nearly a quarter of car accidents is not a statistic that should be overlooked. There are many signs that can manifest around the time your vehicle’s brakes need to be checked. We’ll go over some things you might want to look out for to ensure your brakes are functioning as they should. If your vehicle is showing signs of brake failure, don’t hesitate to come visit us at Spring Masters Auto Repair!
Screeching or Grinding Noises
If you are hearing screeching or grinding noises coming from your vehicle when braking, your brake pads most likely have been worn down enough that they should be replaced as soon as possible. When your brake pads are worn down too much, you will start to hear a screeching or squealing sound. This is usually a result of your brake pads being worn to the point that you have exposed a piece of metal that serves as an indicator of wear, and that piece of metal is rubbing against the brake disc. The sound produced by this is providing you with a warning that you need to replace your brake pads. If you ignore this warning and begin to experience a metal on metal grinding noise, then your brake pads have been completely worn down, and your rotors are being damaged right along with your ears and wallet!
Shaking or Rattling When Braking
If you are experiencing shaking or rattling when applying your brakes, then your rotors are most likely warped or uneven. When you press your foot on the brakes, the brake pad begins to press against your rotor and that is what causes your tires to stop spinning, and the car to stop. If your rotors are uneven or warped, then the connection between your rotors and brake pads are uneven as well. This can cause your car to vibrate as the brake pad is not making proper contact with the rotor while the tire is spinning.
Soft or Squishy Brake Pedal
If your brake pedal feels like there’s not as much resistance between the pedal and your floor board as there should be then you need to get your brakes checked as soon as possible. Your brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when applying your brakes is a sign that there may be air in your brake line or moisture in your brake system. Your brake line may need to be flushed to get rid of any trapped air pockets, or there might be additional factors causing your spongy brake pedal. Regardless of the cause, ignoring a soft or squishy brake pedal can lead to brake failure which puts you, as well as everyone else on the road’s lives in danger.
Brake Repair Near Me
At Spring Masters Auto Repair in Stickney, IL we want to see everyone driving with safe, well-maintained brakes. If you’ve experienced any of these issues, let us help. Make an appointment today!
