When you’re driving, it’s important to know that your brakes will work when you need them to. Over time, parts can wear or get damaged, and you’ll need a brake repair. As your Ford dealer, we can repair any braking problem for you. These are a few signs that you have a brake problem.
Signs You Need a Brake Repair at Your Ford Dealer
Vibration From the Pedal
You have a brake problem if you feel a strange vibration when you hit the brakes. When you use the brakes, hydraulic pressure from the brake fluid pushes the calipers against the wheel rotors. The calipers contain brake pads, and friction between the pads and the rotors slows and stops your car.
The friction material covering is attached to the pad by a strong adhesive. If the pad gets hot, some of the adhesive can liquify and spread across the rotor. This adhesive dries, but it leaves a less level surface behind. Gradually, the rotor surface will become uneven. You’ll feel vibrations when the caliper grabs an uneven part of the rotor.
Screeching and Grinding Sounds
The friction material covering on the brake pads is 1/2″ thick when it’s new. This material gradually wears off as you use the brakes. When the covering is reduced to 1/4″ thick, it’s time to change the pads. As a reminder, the manufacturers of the pads fit a metal spike into each pad. This spike will scratch against the rotor when you brake and produce an awful screeching sound.
The pads will continue to wear down if they aren’t replaced. Once the material has worn off, you’ll hear a grinding sound when you use the brakes. This sound is caused by the metal brake pads gouging the surface of the wheel rotors. This can cause serious long-term damage to the rotors. Your pads would need to be replaced right away.
Leaking Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is an essential part of your brain system. It provides the hydraulic pressure the system needs to bring your car to a stop as we saw above. The brake system is a closed one, and brake fluid isn’t consumed as the brake system works. One of the possible signs of a leak is a soft brake pedal.
A soft brake pedal occurs when the pedal doesn’t provide any resistance when you step on it. The resistance from the pedal is caused by the pressurized fluid. As you lose more fluid, your brakes will become less responsive. Our technicians will find and fix the leak.
If you experience any problems with your brakes, call our service department ASAP at Holt Motors Ford of Cokato. Our Ford-trained technicians will fix the problem for you.
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