Your brakes are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, you and your loved ones would find yourselves in seriously dangerous situations. To maintain the integrity of your braking system it is important to know the warning signs that your brakes need to be repaired or replaced. Righter’s Auto Repair in Grand Ledge or Lansing, MI, wants you to know the symptoms of failing or worn braking systems that should never be ignored.
Noisey Brakes
Your car should not make noises when you are coming to a stop. Squealing, squeaking, or grinding brakes are easy to notice and should not be ignored.
SQUEALING NOISES
Is your car making a squealing sound that stops when you apply brakes? It is easy to think that the issue is not the brakes, but it actually is. That sound is most likely coming from your brake pad indicators. Brake pad indicators are made of steel and make a metallic squealing sound when they come in contact with the rotor.
This sound is your car’s way of letting you know that your brake pads are wearing out and that it is time to have them replaced.
GRINDING NOISES
Grinding is never a sound you want to hear when you are driving. That being said, there are a few reasons that might be causing that awful sound. The grinding sound could be due to brake pads that are completely worn through. Once you hear that metal on metal sound, you have clearly gone too long between brake services and should come in right away. The other possible cause for that grinding noise is that your drum brakes are in serious need of lubrication.
Soft Brakes
The whole idea behind your braking system is to be able to come to a firm stop with the touch of the pedal. If you notice that you are having to press further on your brake pedal to stop, it could be a sign of leaking brake fluid.
Shakey Brakes
The braking process should be smooth. It is never a good sign if you feel shaking or wobbling when you are applying your brakes and coming to a stop. If you are feeling movement in the steering wheel or in the rest of the car, it could be due to anything from improper lug nut installation to uneven rotors. Whatever the culprit, it requires attention.
Whether you are experiencing these brake issues or they just feel “off”, the experts at Righter’s Auto Repair are here to help. Call us today to schedule your next brake service or repair.
