Brakes are one car part that should always be repaired at the first sign of trouble. Safety-conscious drivers are advised to watch out for the following brake issues. It’s better to visit your nearest Subaru dealer for prompt brake repair than risk your brakes failing while on the road.
Brake Pads Squealing
One of the most common brake-related issues is worn-out brake pads. Every time you use your brakes, the brake pads clamp against the rotors.
While this generates the friction to slow your car, it also steadily wears away the upper friction layer on each pad. Once this friction layer nears a certain minimal level, most brake pads are designed to emit a high-pitched squealing sound to let you know it’s time for a new pad.
Brake Pads Grinding
If a brake pad loses its friction layer altogether, the metal of the pad’s casing will start scraping directly on the rotor when you press the brake pedal. Not only will this stop your car less efficiently, but it will also create unpleasant grinding sounds and cause damage to the rotor.
Rotor Discs Vibrating
Although rotors are made of extremely durable cast iron or even harder composite substances, they can sometimes become damaged. When a rotor grows too old and thin, it may warp slightly out of shape or get scored by the brake pad.
Overheating can also warp a rotor. A misshapen or scored rotor disc will often cause odd vibrations in the brake pedal or steering wheel when you try to stop your car.
Pads and Rotors Overheating
Continual use of a car’s brakes can occasionally cause the brake pads and rotors to reach enormous levels of heat. This may cause them to overheat, which can lead to a phenomenon known as brake fade, where the friction between pad and rotor is suddenly lost.
If you ever find your brakes suddenly losing responsiveness and suspect overheating, pull over at once. After cooling down again, your brakes may return to normal function. If the problem persists, it’s best to ask a technician to take a look.
Brake Fluid Leaking
The brake lines that transmit the stopping signal from the brake pedal to the calipers are filled with brake fluid. This fluid maintains necessary hydraulic pressure within the lines.
If brake fluid ever leaks, you may notice a puddle of transparent yellow liquid under your car. This is hazardous as leaking brake fluid diminishes hydraulic pressure inside the brake lines, which may lessen the stopping power of your brakes.
Get Semiannual Brake Servicing at Your Subaru Dealer
Periodical brake servicing is the best way to ensure your brakes remain in tip-top condition. It’s recommended for most drivers to have their brakes inspected and serviced every six months or so.
During a brake service visit, the technician will let you know how much longer your brake pads are likely to last. They can also identify early signs of trouble and fix any problems before they develop into something more serious.
Have your brakes examined and repaired today at Dean Team Subaru. We’ve been diligently serving the drivers of the St Louis County region since 1978 with top-notch cars and customer service.
