72 Ferry Road, Southport QLD 4215
Brakes are fundamental to the safe operation of your car or 4WD, but a recent study by AAMI showed that an astounding one in three accidents were rear-ended collisions where faulty brakes played a role.
So it is important that your brakes are regularly inspected and brake pads changed in line with the manufacturer’s service schedule.
Even that may not be enough – the performance of your brakes is dependent on how the car is driven.
In this article, we are going to discuss five warning signs your brakes need to be inspected.
1. Soft brake pedal
A soft or slushy brake pedal is one of the most obvious signs your brakes need inspecting.
When you apply the brake, you should feel resistance in the pedal almost immediately.
If the pedal feels soft or slushy, it’s an indication of low brake pressure. This could be caused by a leaky brake hose or deteriorating brake fluid.
Whatever the cause, a slushy or soft-pedal means your brakes need looking at sooner rather than later.
So don’t put it off, a soft brake pedal is easy to fix once the cause has been identified and the cost is almost certainly going to be less than repairing the damage after an accident.
2. Squeaking brakes
Squeaky brakes are a sign that your brake pads need to be replaced.
Most brake pads contain a metal shim which becomes exposed as the pad material wears down.
The shim is designed to rub against the brake disc, causing a squeaking noise.
So squeaky brakes mean you should get your pads replaced as soon as possible.
3. Vehicle pulls to the side whilst braking
A vehicle which pulls to one side while braking is a sign of uneven wear on the brake discs or pads.
This problem can be caused by misaligned wheels or a blockage in the hydraulic system.
Whatever the cause, this is a dangerous issue which needs to be looked at sooner rather than later.
4. Vibration when braking
Vibration when braking is a sign your brake discs are warped.
Brake discs become warped for various reasons, but the leading cause is extended use of worn brake pads which cause the disc to overheat.
Warped discs can badly impact braking performance at all speeds, so book your car in for an inspection as soon as possible.
5. Grinding brakes
Finally, grinding brakes are a sign of worn brake pads, but this may also be caused by debris becoming lodged between the pad and the disc.
Either way, this can severely impair braking performance and cause an accident.
Grinding brakes need to be looked at immediately.
Conclusion
With defective brakes a leading cause of accidents in Australia, it is important that you get your brakes checked regularly.
But even with proper maintenance, your braking system can still develop a fault, so it’s a good idea to know the warning signs of faulty brakes in advance.
If your vehicle is displaying any of the above warning signs, get in touch with GC Suspension today.
We’ll carry out a full inspection of your braking system to diagnose and repair faults quickly.
Simply contact us by calling 07 5532 3772 and book to have your car or 4WD braking system checked or repaired, or drop in and see the team at 72 Ferry Road on the Gold Coast for all your steering, suspension, brake and car mechanic needs.
With the combined industry experience of over 50 years, you can be confident we will provide the best service and advice for all your vehicle needs.
