Vehicles are made up of numerous components. A single car, truck, van, or SUV can contain more than 30,000 individual parts, and those parts comprise a variety of systems. Each one does its part to keep a vehicle working properly. In some cases, if one-part malfunctions, it can lead an entire system to fail or cause your vehicle to completely break down.
While all the parts and systems in a vehicle are essential, the brakes are among the most important. Though your vehicle can technically run properly without working brakes, it won’t be able to stop the way it should. Several things can go wrong with a brake system. You can take certain measures on your own to keep your vehicle’s brakes operating correctly, like heeding warning lights and having regular maintenance performed. Brakes still fail at times, though, regardless of how well you take care of them. When they do, you’ll need professional auto repair in Denver, CO to keep your vehicle operating safely and effectively.
Worn Brake Pads or Shoes
Worn brake pads and shoes are among the most common reasons for brake failures. With disc brakes, when you press the brake pedal, calipers that hold the pads press against the rotors. That causes friction that stops your vehicle. With drum brakes, you have brake shoes. They’re held in place by a wheel cylinder that expands and presses them against the inside of the drum to stop the vehicle when you apply the brakes.
Stopping a vehicle requires a great deal of pressure and friction. Naturally, that places significant wear on brake pads and shoes. Over time, the material that provides the friction wears away, leaving behind only metal. With worn brake pads or shoes, you may notice a grinding or squeaking sound when you apply the brakes. Your vehicle may seem more difficult to stop as well.
It’s possible to replace brake pads and shoes on your own, but that’s not necessarily the best approach. Drum brakes, in particular, are complicated to take apart and put back together. Getting a single spring out of place or improperly reattached could lead to serious, potentially dangerous problems. It’s generally best to leave a job like this to professionals.
Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid leaks are also common issues. They can be caused by an array of problems, including damaged fluid lines or worn seals in the calipers or the master cylinder that sends fluid and pressure to the brakes. Fluid leaks can cause the brakes to feel spongy and make them slower to stop your vehicle. You might see brake fluid leaking from your vehicle, but in some cases, leaks are difficult to spot.
Mechanics can pinpoint fluid leaks and replace the components that are causing them. Afterward, they usually need to add more brake fluid to the system to replace any that leaked out. Then, they often need to bleed the brakes to eliminate any air bubbles that got into the system because of the leak to ensure the brakes work properly from that point on.
Seized Calipers
Another problem vehicle owners often face is seized brake calipers. This can happen because of corrosion, excessive debris, and inadequate brake fluid flowing through the system. It can cause a vehicle to pull to one side when you apply the brakes, and it can make a vehicle slower to stop than usual. It may also lead to uneven wear on the brake pads. Repairing this problem often entails cleaning or replacing the calipers and possibly replacing the pads if they’re damaged.
Keeping Your Brakes Working Properly
Those are some of the most common brake system issues you might encounter. ABS malfunctions, warped rotors, damaged master cylinders, and many other problems can arise as well. Anytime your brakes aren’t working properly, you could be in danger on the road. If your brakes don’t feel or sound quite right or they don’t seem to be stopping your vehicle as well as they should, schedule an appointment with a professional mechanic as soon as possible.