Brakes

Brakes are one of the most important system in every vehicle. It is very important to ensure your brake system will function properly at all times. At Bob Kaiser’s Repair, we only use the highest quality of brake parts to service your vehicle properly. The days of just throwing on a set of brake pads is gone. Today’s brake systems are more advanced than ever, and In order for your brake system to operate properly, you need to make sure that you have the proper brake pad material specific to that vehicle. 

“My Brakes Are Making Noises. Do I Need New Brakes?"

The piercing, high-pitched squeal of defective brakes. When you hear it next to you from

another car, it’s annoying. When you hear it from your own car, it’s scary.

When is a little squealing just a natural mechanical sound of brakes doing their job, and

when is it a sign of serious mechanical failure?

Many mechanics will say that squealing from your brakes – even brakes on a reasonably

new car or new brakes recently installed on a used car – is “normal.” That’s a misnomer.

The condition is never "normal,” but it is "common."

Modern brake pads (the plates used to protect the main metal parts in your braking

system) and their linings are no longer made of asbestos (thanks to the EPA), but of tiny

slivers of metal and other materials compressed tightly together. These high-tech brake

pads and linings are much harder than asbestos. They have excellent friction qualities,

but, unfortunately, they often make noise because of the metal fibers contained in them.

If you rub metal on metal, even if it’s nearly microscopic metal fibers, you can imagine

how you’re going to hear some squealing.

The trick is to determine whether the noise is a problem or just an annoyance.

Sometimes the sounds are the result of tiny variations in the surface of the pad. The

newer type pads often don't conform as easily to the surface of the rotor. For example

when the perfectly sized asbestos pad (with its snug fit to your brake parts) was replaced

by the high-tech metal fiber pad, either the newer pad wasn’t made to fit quite as well – or

the metal fibers don’t adhere to the brake part as efficiently.

In such cases, the imperfect fit will leave tiny gaps in the brake pad’s service, leaving

room for slight friction that can give rise to a squeal. In such cases, it’s not a major

problem and not worth worrying about as a driver.

A squeak or squeal may also be the result of vibrations. If you've had a new set of brake

pads installed and are hearing this sound, have the brake work re-checked by the

mechanic that did the work. Chances are something was not installed properly. They

should be looking for loose parts.

Changes in temperature or changes in the moisture content of the atmosphere also affect

friction characteristics that can set off a round of squeaking and squealing. In these cases,

intervention by your mechanic isn’t necessary.

However, when should you consult a professional to look at your brakes?

 Drip, drip, drip. First, look down where car was parked after you move out a parking

space. Are you leaking break fluid? You’re checking for stains or small puddles of

fluid that don’t look like oil or coolant. Motor oil will probably have a brown or

black look and feel slimy to the touch. Coolant will appear green and more watery.

Brake fluid can look like fresh motor oil, but it doesn’t have that slimy feel. You’ll

need to get your hands dirty, but check those puddles. If you’re leaking break fluid,

consult a mechanic. You may need to check the seals or bleed the brake lines.

 Squeal, squeal, squeal: If the noise from your brakes is constant, you probably have a

problem. Consult a mechanic immediately. He or she will check the brake calipers,

brake shoes, master cylinder, etc. The cost of the potential repair will vary according

to the fault.

 Scrape, scrape, scrape: One sound you should never hear from your brakes is the

horrible scraping of metal on metal. In such cases, you have no brake pad left and are

literally stopping your car by grinding your metal brake parts against each other.

After only a few instances of this metal on metal friction, your brakes parts will be

absolutely ruined. As soon as you hear such metallic scraping, call a tow truck and

get to a mechanic. The money you spend on the tow will be nothing compared to the

money you’d spend on an entire new brake system.

So, your brakes requires a little detective work on your part. A sharp ear, a few dirty

fingernails and some common sense will keep you going – or, in this case, stopping – for countless miles to come. 

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