Mike Auto Service & Repair advises that your car pulls to the side when you apply the brakes because you have a stuck caliper. The calipers can start to stick if they need to be replaced. Replace the calipers every 75,000 to avoid this. This is just one sign that your brakes need attention. Here are other signs that your brakes are going bad and need to be serviced ASAP.
Changes in the Pedal’s Feel
Changes in how the brake pedal feels underneath your foot are an indication that you have air in the brake lines. When this happens, the brake pedal will feel soft and sink to the floor. Unfortunately, the softness is also an indication that you need to replace the brake system’s master cylinder.
Dashboard Warning Light
You should head straight to our auto shop in Springfield if you end up with an illuminated ABS or Brake light while you are driving or when you apply the brakes. These lights mean that a brake system sensor reported a malfunction to your vehicle’s main computer chip, the engine control module.
Leaking Brown or Red Fluid
If you have leaking brown or red fluid around your tires, the brake system is leaking. As you see in action movies, when the brake system has no brake fluid, it fails. One brake system part that can leak is the master cylinder. It can also leak out of the brake hoses if one or more of them has a hole in it.
Noises When You Brake
When you apply the brakes, the only thing you should hear is a reduction in your engine’s RPMs. If you hear squealing or grinding, your brake system is in immediate need of service. The former noise is a sign that the brake system is too hot. The latter noise means that your brake pads have no surface.
Overheating Brake System
As with no brake fluid, your brakes will also fail if the brake system gets too hot. As we just mentioned, one sign that the brake system is too hot is squealing noises when you apply the brakes. Another sign is the smell of burning chemicals or an unpleasant odor that smells like a burning carpet.
Finally, Mike’s Auto Service & Repair in West Springfield, MA, advises that your vehicle will wobble if the rotor surfaces are warped. This can happen if it has been over 60,000 miles since you had the surfaces recut.
