Your Brakes May Be Telling You Something; Are You Listening?

Your car depends on a lot of systems, and one of those is the brakes. Without working brakes, the vehicle will not stop correctly and can be very dangerous to drive. You can know when something is wrong with the brakes when you pay attention to the following cues your car may give you. 

Dash Warning Lights

The brake warning light on the dash of your car or truck may come on even when you don't see a problem. The warning light often indicates a problem with the pressure in the brake system or another issue that the sensor has picked up.

You may not be able to determine what the light means unless you have the proper diagnostic equipment to read the information from the computer. The computer will store the data, but often it is in the form of a code that needs the dealership or a repair shop to determine the problem.

If the light is on and the car appears to be okay, do not ignore the light. The light is on for a reason, and just because you can't see or feel the problem does not mean no problem exists.  

Shimmy, Shakes, and Vibrations

One of the first signs of brake problems may be a shake in the steering wheel or a pulse in the brake pedal as you apply the brakes. Often this shake gets worse if you press the brake pedal harder, and may completely stop once you take your foot off the brakes.

A shaking feeling in the car when you apply the brakes is often a sign of a brake rotor that has a warp in it. The rotor can warp from heat, especially if you drive in heavy traffic and have to use the brakes a lot. Damage to the rotor can also be a result of poor maintenance, as brakes are one of the most overlooked items on the car until they start to malfunction.

The solution is sometimes as simple as getting the rotor replaced, but some other things can cause a shake even though they are not part of the brake system. A bad wheel bearing, a weak tie rod, or a loose ball joint can all allow the wheel or suspension to shake when you brake.

Bumps, Bangs, and Strange Noises

Noises from under your car can be hard to diagnose sometimes, but if the sound starts as you apply the brakes, you can bet that there is a problem in the brake system.

Scraping or Grinding

A scraping or grinding noise the comes from under the car when you apply the brakes are often a result of a worn brake pad. If the friction material wears off the pad and the backing plate makes contact with the rotor, the metal on metal contact can often cause this sound.

Clunking or Banging

A clunk, thump, or bang when you apply the brakes is scary, and can definitely be a sign of a problem with the brakes. Often these kinds of sounds indicate some unwanted movement in the brake system. Sometimes a brake pad can move in the brake caliper, which will make the banging or clunking sound.

Brake pad movement is not normal, and if you continue to hear it when you apply the brakes, you need to have a mechanic check the brakes. A retainer may have come loose, and while the pads are not likely to fall out, they can move enough to jam the caliper and stop it from working correctly.

If your car or truck is telling you that something is wrong, bring your vehicle to Redford Auto Repair, and one of our technicians will inspect the brakes for you. Once we pin down the problem, we can fix your car quickly and get you back on the road safely.