Brakes are a very important part of the car. It can be dangerous to drive with brakes that aren’t in good condition. It’s not worth the safety risk to try to drive with brakes that aren’t working 100 percent effectively. However, not everyone understands the best ways to tell if it’s time for automotive brake repair in Arlington.
Sounds
Brakes are fitted with metal shims. When the brake pads start to wear out, the friction against the shims causes a high-pitched screeching sound that is meant to warn you that it’s time to get new brake pads or at least get the brakes inspected. If you always have the radio on loud or the fan in the car on, however, you may not hear it. When the pads are completely gone, you’re likely to hear a growling or grinding sound as the caliper and disc will be scraping against each other. This can damage to rotors and lead to more costly repairs being needed.
Visible Signs
Another way to verify whether it’s time to change the brake pads is to visually inspect them. You can look between the spokes of the wheels to see the outside pad pressed against the metal rotor. You should see at least 1/4 inch of the pad. Anything less means that it may be time for automotive brake repair in Arlington. You want to fix the brakes before the pad is totally worn out, as this limits the risk of more expensive repairs being necessary down the line.
Feelings
If the vehicle starts to pull to one side when you brake, the pedal sinks to the floor and the brakes aren’t as responsive or you feel a vibration when you hit the brakes, you need to bring the car in to get the brakes checked out. These are signs that something is wrong. The car may be out of alignment, the rotors may be warped, something could be in the brake fluid or there could be an air or brake fluid leak. They can help with all your automotive repair needs.
