Brake repair Kitchener: Today we are going to take a look at why brake repair is necessary.
At Hansma Automotive we have over 30 years of experience working with all types of vehicles and all types of vehicle problems. We would love to put our experience to work for you!
We'll outline the warning signs that you should look for that will indicate when you need to repair your brakes, as well as answer your most common questions. So let's get started.
Brake repair Kitchener: Learn to tell when you need it done
Brake Repair Kitchener:
Why It is Necessary
Brakes play a vital role in keeping you and your family safe while you are driving. If your brakes give out, it doesn't matter how good of a driver you are, you could be in serious danger.
That is why it is so important to make sure that you keep your brakes in good repair and don't put off getting them fixed. In fact, it is a good idea to get your brakes regularly checked every 6 months to make sure that everything is okay.
Warning Signs You Need a Brake Repair
There are several warning signs that you should pay attention to, that will let you know that it is time to get your brakes checked out.
1. Your brake light comes on: If your brake light lights up on your dashboard then it's either letting you know that it's time for an inspection or that there is another problem. This light can also come on if your parking brake is engaged.
2. You hear a squealing noise when you are driving: If you start to hear a squealing noise when you are diving that stops when you put on the brakes then your brakes pads may need replacing.
This is a warning feature that some manufacturers have included to let you know it’s time to replace your brake pads. When the pads have worn down to the point where it is time to be replaced, a thin metal strip in the pads will start to squeal as it come in contact with the discs.
Listen for the noises your car is making to help you determine if your have a problem with your brakes
3. You hear a grinding noise when you brake: If you hear a noise that is deeper and sounds more like a grinding sound when you apply the brakes, then that could mean that your pads have completely worn down to their metal backing plates.
The sound you are hearing is the metal of the plates scraping against the metal of the steel brake discs. At this point, your ability to stop properly is greatly reduced and it will take you longer to come to a stop. If this happens to you, get your brakes serviced quickly.
4. Your steering wheel starts to shake: if your steering wheel shakes or vibrates when you are braking then your rotors might be uneven. Your rotors need to be smooth and completely even in thickness in order to work properly.
If your steering wheel starts to shake when you brake, you may have an issue with your rotors
5. Your brake pedal feels soft: If you don't feel the same amount of resistance when you press your brake pedal, then you may be leaking brake fluid from your master cylinder or somewhere else in your braking system.
A soft brake pedal could also mean that there is air or moisture in the braking system or you may have a problem with the master cylinder.
6. Your car pulls to one side when you brake: If your car is pulling to one side when you apply your brakes, then you may have a problem with one of your brake calipers or your brake hose. If one caliper isn't working properly then your other caliper is doing more or all of the work which will cause your vehicle to pull in that direction.
7. You smell something burning when you brake: If you smell a burning or strong chemical odour after you have been braking hard down a steep slope, then your brakes may be overheated. You should pull over as soon as you can and allow your brakes to cool off. Also, make sure that your parking brake hasn't stuck on.
Brake repair Kitchener: If you smell burning while braking hard, pull over
How Brakes Work
If you want to understand how your brakes actually work, here is a detailed explanation.
Your front wheels have a rotor attached to them while your back wheels have a drum. The rotors and drums will rotate along with your wheels while you are driving until you press your brake pedal.
Once you press your brake pedal, the piston inside the master cylinder will move against the spring force, letting brake fluid flow under pressure until it reaches the inside of the caliper and wheel cylinder on your front wheels.
The pressurized fluid inside the caliper forces your brake pads to move against the rotating rotor.
The friction caused by the brake pads coming in contact with the moving rotor will reduce the speed of the rotor until it stops moving completely.
When the pressurized fluid reaches the wheel cylinder in your brake drums on your back wheels, it makes the piston inside move outwards.
Your brake shoes will rub against the drum and cause friction that will eventually stop your wheels.
Check out this video to see the process in action.
Brake repair Kitchener: Learn how your brakes work
Brake Repair Kitchener: FAQ's
Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about brake repairs.
Can you drive if your brakes are grinding?
You can drive for a while if your brakes are grinding, but it's not a good idea. This is because it will only make your brake situation worse and probably cost you more to repair. In addition, it's not safe because your brakes are not in great condition.
How much does brake repair cost?
A complete brake repair can cost anywhere from about $500 to well over $1,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
How long do brake pads last?
Brake pads usually last about 40,000 to 50,000 miles. You may find that they wear out faster if you live in a very hilly or mountainous region where you need to use your brakes more often or if you tow heavy trailers.
How often should you get your brakes checked?
It's a good idea to have your brakes checked by a professional every 6 months. You can do this when you get your tires rotated or when you put on and take off your snow tires.
A local auto mechanic usually costs less than a dealership
Is it worth getting your brakes done at a dealership?
It will usually cost you more to get your brakes done at a dealership than at a local auto repair shop. This is because the dealer will use factor provided parts which will cost more. The labour costs at dealerships are usually higher as well because of the certification requirements necessary to work for a dealership.
Do rear or front brakes wear out faster?
When you are going forward and you press the brakes, the centre of gravity of your car will shift and put more momentum on your front tires. It will require more braking power to stop them than it does to stop your rear tires. Due to this, your front brakes will usually wear out faster than your rear brakes.
How long can you drive with squealing brakes?
If you hear your brakes begin to squeal, you should get them checked out. If you keep driving with them that way then you can damage or even warp your discs, which will increase risk and repair costs.
Should you replace all your brake pads at once?
You don't have to replace all of your brake pads at once, only if they all need replacing at the same time. You should, however, always replace your pads in pairs: the front ones at the same time and the back ones at the same time.
Brake Repair Kitchener: Why Choose Hansma
If you live in the Waterloo region and you are looking for the best brake repair Kitchener has to offer, contact Hansma Automotive. You can trust Hansma with your car’s brakes as well as all of your other maintenance and repairs.
As a Tech-Net professional auto repair facility, Hansma Automotive is committed to serving you, our customer, with professional auto service repair at a reasonable cost.
We use quality CARQUEST auto parts, guaranteed coast to coast. We stand on sound business principles and uphold high ethical standards. Our goal is to make your automotive repair experience friendly and successful.
By providing good, old-fashioned customer service over the years, Hansma Automotive has gained a loyal following in the community.
Many hundreds of area residents have come to depend on our team and rely on the technical expertise of our friendly staff to keep their family vehicles in peak running condition. Book an appointment now.
““Great place, friendly staff and the only place I trust my car with now. I highly recommend this place. Trustworthy” - ”