Five Signs You Need Brake Repair Service

We use our brakes constantly, yet we often don’t think about them until there’s a problem. If you’re noticing any of these five signs, it may be time to get your brakes checked out by a professional!

Your car is making strange noises

If your car is making any kind of strange noise, it is always a good idea to get it checked out as soon as possible. This is especially true for brake repair services. Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your car and if they are not working properly, it can be very dangerous.

Grinding

If your car is making a grinding noise, it could be a sign that you need brake repair service. This is usually caused by a problem with the brake pads or rotors. If you hear this noise, it’s important to have your brakes checked as soon as possible. 

Other signs that you may need brake repair service include: 

• Your car is pulling to one side 
• The brake pedal is sinking to the floor 
• Your car takes longer to stop than usual 
• the brakes are making a squealing noise

Squealing

If you hear a high-pitched squealing noise coming from your brakes, it’s likely that your brake pads need to be replaced. The metal tab on the brake pad is designed to create this squealing noise when it comes into contact with the rotor, as a way to alert you that the pads are getting low and need to be replaced.

If you ignore the squealing noise and don’t replace the brake pads in a timely manner, you run the risk of causing damage to the rotors. Once the metal tab wears down, there is nothing left to create the squealing noise, which means you may not be able to tell when your brake pads need to be replaced – until it’s too late.

Clicking

One of the most common signs that you need brake repair service is a clicking noise when you press down on the brake pedal. This noise is usually caused by a foreign object, like a small rock, that has become lodged in between the brake pad and the rotor. When you press down on the brake pedal, the calliper squeezes the pad against the rotor to create friction and slow your car down. If there’s something preventing the pad from making full contact with the rotor, it will cause a clicking noise.

Your car is pulling to one side

If you notice your car pulling to one side or the other when you brake, something is definitely wrong. The most likely culprits are either bad brake pads or rotors that are warped or not level. You should have a certified mechanic take a look at your brakes as soon as possible to avoid dangerous driving conditions.

Your car is taking longer to stop

You hit the brake pedal, and it feels like your car is taking its sweet time to come to a stop. It’s a scary feeling, and it’s one that you shouldn’t ignore. If your car is taking longer to stop than it used to, it’s one of the clearest signs that you need brake repair service.

Brake pads wear down over time, so if you are getting old, they may not be able to do their job as effectively as they used to. If you suspect that your brake pads may be wearing out, have a mechanic take a look at them as soon as possible.

The brake pedal is feeling spongy

If you notice that the brake pedal isn’t as firm as it used to be, or it feels “spongy” when you press it, that’s a sign that your brakes need attention. It could be a simple issue of the brake fluid being low, or it could indicate a problem with the brake lines or calipers. Either way, you should have the brakes checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

You’ve had to add brake fluid

If you find that you have to add brake fluid more frequently than usual, it may be a sign that you have a leak in your system. You should have your brakes checked as soon as possible to avoid running out of fluid and damaging your brakes.

If you think your vehicle is in need of a brake repair service, book an appointment at your local Trail Tire today.