Attached to your car’s spinning wheel is a rotor, which is the part of the wheel that the brake pads press against to create enough friction to stop your car. Since the brake pad is under extreme pressure from constant braking it eventually wears out and needs to be replaced. Brake pads are attached to the caliper which applies all of the pressure to the rotor. You can imagine the calliper being like an arm and the brake pad being a hand that squeezes the wheel to reduce its speed. The caliper works by hydraulics, which means it needs hoses running brake fluid to it at all times to function. As you depress the brake pedal, brake fluid engages the hydraulics which engages the calipers to press the brake pads onto the wheels and stop the car.

Here are some symptoms of worn brakes:

• If there is a problem with the antilock brake system, your ABS brake light will activate on your dashboard;
• A red warning light on your dash will glow when there is a problem with fluid pressure, fluid levels, leaks, and when the pads are low a light turns on in cars equipped with a low pad indicator;
• The brake pedal feels spongy, or is not as responsive as it used to be;
• When the car pulls to the left or right when depressed;
• Grinding when braking is a good indicator, as well as squealing. Most cars have a squealer that is attached as a warning indicator that the brake pads are nearing the end of their life. Squeaks can be harmless when caused by bits of dust or rust, but they should be inspected to insure it is not from dangerously low brake pads.
• A shaking steering wheel and brake pedal when depressed warns of a warped rotor.

Typically just the brake pads and rotors are replaced when we do a brake job. Living in the mild climate of Victoria means that callipers enjoy a very long life and will greatly outlast the pads and rotors so we do not automatically replace them. Hoses outlast the pads and rotors as well, so we do a visual inspection to check for external cracks and only replace them when there is cause for concern over potential brake fluid leakage.

If your vehicle is ready for maintenance or have any further questions please be in touch via phone or email. You can find all of our contact information and location right here and at the top of each page on this site. You will be greeted by one of the handsome fellas below, who are happy to take your questions any time of day to make you feel confident that you are making sound decisions regarding your vehicle’s health.