7 most common brake problems

Since brake pads and discs can be quite expensive spare parts, it is logical to strive to get the most out of them and a long service life. If the pads wear to the point that the metal backing plate rubs against thebrake disc, then the discs definitely need to be replaced. In addition, trips with such a malfunction can lead to damage to the brake calipers if their pistons protrude too much in the process of compressing the brake pads, the friction part of which ends.

We collected several signs, which will help you recognize the symptoms of various problems and understand when various components of the braking system have worn out and need to be replaced.

Content:

• A grinding noise
• Metal screeching
• The pad wear indicator lights up
• Clicking noise after pressing or releasing the brakes
• Occurs inibration of brakes only when reducing speed
• The car pulls to one side when braking
• The brake pedal is pressed too easily

7 signs that it's time to change the brakes:

1. Grinding noise

Grinding noise when pressing the brake actuallycaused by high-frequency vibration of metal discs, drums or support plates of brake pads. Excess corrosion that builds up over time on the non-contact areas of the outer perimeter of brake discs and drums is the main cause, as rust is looser and less dense in nature and therefore more prone to resonance.

Another source of such noise is the edge, which is formed along the outer edge of the disk surface, becausebrake padsdo not encounter this area. This edge becomes more pronounced as it wears and takes the shape of a frying pan. Sometimes the edge becomes pronounced enough to cause contact with brake pads that don't have chamfers (rounded corners), resulting in a nasty squeal. Extremely cold outside temperatures, causing the rotors to compress slightly, can exacerbate this effect, and high brake heating during heavy use can cause the metal to expand, also causing contact where it wouldn't normally exist.

2. Metallic squeak

You can hear it whenbrake pads worn to the metal squeeze the disc. Some manufacturers put small metal tabs in the bottom of the brake pads. As the pads wear and become thin, these protrusions rub against the rotor (disc), creating a metallic screeching sound that alerts the driver that it's time to replace the pads.

With the remaining thickness of 3 mm, you don't have much time left. With a thickness of 1 or 2 mm, it's time to schedule a trip to the service or order parts to have them ready for the day when the unpleasant noise from the braking of the metal base of the pads appears.

Although determining the thickness of the brake pads by eye is a good way to keep the situation under control,important to remember, that there are outer pads on the side of the rotor that you can easily see, and inner pads on the other side of the rotor that you can't see without removing the wheel or getting under it.

3. The pad wear indicator lights up

Most modern cars(from 2000)equipped with sensors built into the pad material. When a new 12mm brake pad wears down to about 3mm of residual life, the metal sensor is usually exposed and comes into contact with the disc. Metal-to-metal contact results in a squealing sound (audio indication), and on new cars, an electronic sensor may trigger and flash a warning indication (electronic indicator).

4. Clicking noise after pressing or releasing the brakes

This indicates incorrect displacement of the brake pads. There is no danger of them falling off the car, but since the pads are under pressure between the caliper and the brake disc, the built-in "anti-rattle" clamps lock the pads in place.

Over time, the steel these pads are made of can become brittle and break, allowing the brake pad to move freely in its seat, creating vibration and clicking noises when braking. If the brake pads are worn enough for this to happen, they will most likely need to be replaced soon, as this type of use wears down the brake pads.braking systemwill be uneven.

5. Vibration occurs only when the speed is reduced

In most cases, shaking (vibration) is the result of discs warping in the same way an old vinyl record warps. With each rotation of the wheel, the deformed part of the brake disc pushes the pads from side to side. This vibration is transmitted from the brake calipers directly through the wheel hubs, axles, suspension subframes and through the car body itself.

Note: a quick way to confirm that the vibration is coming from the front discs - if the steering wheel also vibrates in unison with the brakes. Vibration that is felt only in the seat usually indicates that the rear discs are deformed.

Disc vibrationmay be caused by corrosion, which are formed on the surface when the car is in a humid environment for a long time and is not used.

There is another reason for vibrationformation of heat spots or glaze on the surfacedisk after the iron compounds in the rotor change their composition due to strong and repeated heating.

To get rid of vibration, edges or stains, the discs can be removed from the car and polished on both sides on a special lathe. Since the grinding process involves the removal of a significant thickness over the entire surface of the rotor,it is important to know the minimum brake disc thickness set by the car manufacturer. This is the point at which the disc still contains enough metal to absorb and dissipate heat without warping or breaking. If, after re-sanding, the thickness turns out to be less than the minimum, it must be replaced - mainly because it soon deforms again.

6. The car pulls in one direction during braking

This happens when the brakes press against one side of the car more than the other for a number of reasons:

• Most often it is caused by, that the calipers (or wheel cylinders for drum brakes) have corroded and stopped moving properly to apply pressure to the brake pads.
• This phenomenon can also be caused by the leakage of brake fluid onto the surface of the disc or drum. Because brake fluid is not meant to be lubricated, it creates a sticky surface that creates more friction and causes the caliper on one side of the car to brake harder than the other.
• This effect can also be caused by the brake valves that regulate the brake fluid pressure in the system, but the probability of this is lower. In this case, they should be cleaned and replaced.

7. The brake pedal is pressed too easily

If the brake pedal sinks into the floor, it meansbrake fluid compression is not created properlydue to a leak somewhere in the system. If no visible brake fluid leakage can be detected at any of the wheels or along the brake lines, then the problem is most likely in the master cylinder located under the hood.

The master cylinder contains pistons that push fluid throughbrake linesto the brakes of all four wheels. More often than not, the internal seals become unusable and fluid movement inside the master cylinder is reduced without visible leaks.

If the brake pedal is pressed with great difficulty, which means that the brake booster is faulty. Any of these scenarios require immediate assistance and the vehicle should be towed for repair!

If you decide it's time to replace your brake equipment,Vnedorognikoffers a full range of OEM grade components as well as performance oriented componentsbuy spare parts for the braking system, such as calipers, discs, brake pads and brake kits, which can easily be installed in place of existing ones.