You’re driving down the highway and jamming out to your favorite radio station when all of the sudden a car starts merging right next to you.
You try to slam on your brakes, but the brakes aren’t working. In the blink of an eye, the merging car is crashing right into the side or rear of your brand-new car!
While brake issues only cause around 5% of crashes, you can never be too careful when it comes to your safety. Keep reading to learn more about how to repair car brakes…
How to Repair Car Brakes
When it comes to repairing car brakes it’s important to do so as soon as you notice an issue.
Here’s how you should go about repairing car brakes…
Step 1: Perform Diagnostics
Before you can fix the brakes, you’ll need to know exactly what’s wrong with them.
This is why it’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic look over the brakes. Clegg Auto will inspect your brakes to determine what needs to be done.
Once you know what needs to be done to the brakes, you can either try to fix them yourself or ask a professional to do it.
Step 2: Replace the Brake Pads
More often than not, the issue with the brakes is due to brake pads being worn down.
If you take the car to a mechanic, they’ll likely replace these to see if it changes the performance of the brakes. The brake pads are steel plates that use friction to slow your car down when you hit the brake.
While a mechanic may do a more thorough job, you can replace the brake pads yourself if you’re on a tight budget.
Step 3: Inspect Brake Rotors
Once you’ve determined that the brake pads are safe or unsafe, you’ll want to inspect the brake rotors.
The brake rotors have pressure placed on them by the brake pads, causing the car to stop abruptly. The brake rotors may be perfectly fine while just the pads need to be changed. Or, both could need replacement.
A mechanic can perform diagnostics on both the pads and rotors so you know what type of job you’re looking at.
Step 4: Assess Where the Noise is Coming From
A common reason for drivers to have their brakes looked at is if the brakes are making a squealing noise when you push on them.
This noise can signal an issue with the brakes and should be inspected immediately. The brake pads may need to be replaced in this case, or you may just need to change your brake fluid.
Are You Ready to Repair Your Brakes?
If a dash signal or a strange noise is leading you to think there’s a problem with your brakes, don’t ignore it.
Brakes are an essential part of staying safe on the road in case of emergency. Head to your local mechanic for car brake repair services, or do a little research and try to repair them yourself.
If you found this article helpful, check out our other automotive content!