Tony's Truck and Car Part Blog

Vehicle Brake Repair FAQ

6 September 2017 by Bryan Collins

Never put off having the brakes of your car repaired when needed, as even minor damage to any of the brake components can mean failure to stop when on the road, or the risk of skidding and sliding when you hit the brakes. Obviously this is very dangerous for you and for other drivers, and it can also mean putting more stress on the braking system, so that small repairs eventually turn into major fixes. Note a few questions you might have about brakes and how they operate, what is usually wrong with them when they act up, and some suggestions for how they might be fixed by your mechanic.

When is a brake inspection necessary?

A brake inspection will include an examination of all the parts of the braking system, to check for needed repairs or replacement. This inspection should be done annually, or as often as is recommended in the car's owner's manual; however, it's good to have this inspection done if you've been driving in flooded areas, as water can get into the brake lines and cause corrosion or a loss of power. If you drive over gravel roads, that flying gravel can also damage those lines and get stuck along the callipers, which are the small clips that squeeze the brakes shut in order to stop your car. Rather than waiting until you notice a loss of braking power to have this inspection done, have it performed when you know your driving habits may have been especially rough on the brakes.

If the brakes squeal, do they need replacing?

Squealing from the brakes often means that they're wet, and that water is causing a squealing noise as the metal pieces squeeze against each other; you may hear this squealing after a rainfall, as an example. If that squealing keeps up, however, it's good to get the brakes inspected. If the squealing turns to grinding or other such deeper sounds, you also want to get the brakes inspected as soon as possible.

What is brake machining?

Not all brake parts need to be replaced if they're damaged, as rotors can be machined if they get worn down. Those rotors are large pieces of metal that sit inside the tyre, and which the brake pads squeeze against. Rotors often suffer minor scratches and wear on the surface because of this corrosion, and machining will buff out those scratches so that the rotor is like new again. Many brake repair shops can offer this service, but only if the rotor is in otherwise good condition and can be buffed properly.

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