Most drivers are surprised to learn just how quickly brakes wear down. They buy a new car, and before the warranty has even expired, their mechanic is telling them they need brake repairs. More often than not, the problem is in the front brakes. Since most of a vehicle’s weight shifts to the front when stopping, the front brakes become damaged faster than the rear. Friction does damage to the stopping system each and every time it is used.
The good news is that this damage can be easily and affordably repaired if maintenance is done on a regular basis. Make sure to stop by your foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR for brake maintenance and repair if you are concerned that your brakes are in poor shape. Here are some common types of brake service:
- Brake inspection: Part of any routine maintenance at your foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR should include a brake inspection. A good mechanic can easily inspect the brakes and inform you whether any repair work is necessary. Brake inspections simply involve removing the wheels and inspecting the condition of the brake components. They also can include checking the brake parts located near the engine, and possibly even a test drive. When you take your car in for any other maintenance, make sure you ask whether a brake inspection is included.
- Brake pads: Under normal circumstances, the first part of your brake system that will need replacement is the brake pads. Brake pads actually apply the friction that slows down your car and are intended to wear down with time. For this reason brake pads are easy to replace and relatively inexpensive. When you hear a high-pitched noise coming from your brakes during operation, this is because the brake pads are worn and an indicator is alerting you that they need replacement.
- Rotors: The brake pads apply friction to the brake rotors. Over time, this scratches up and wears down the rotors. Typically when brake pads are replaced, a technician will grind the rotor slightly to provide a like-new finish. Eventually this is no longer practical because the rotors become too thin to grind. When this happens the rotors need complete replacement.
- Calipers: The calipers are a critical aspect to any disc brake system. Essentially, they convert hydraulic power into mechanical power—when you apply the brake pedal, hydraulic power pushes pistons out inside of the caliper that squeeze the brake pads onto the rotors. Calipers often last a long time, but eventually the pistons can become stuck or will leak brake fluid. When this happens they need immediate replacement since that wheel will no longer have functioning brakes.
- Other concerns: There are other components of the brake system that are less likely to break, but you should be aware of anyway. This includes the master cylinder, brake lines and the actual brake fluid. Regular brake maintenance and repair can sometimes include these parts.
Stop by Riverdale Automotive, a trusted foreign auto repair shop in Conway, AR, for all of your brake maintenance and other vehicle repair needs.