The braking system is an important safety aspect of your car.
Hence, damaged brakes should be replaced at the earliest. Diagnosing the
problems is the key to repair a faulty braking system. This article
lists the common problems with car brakes.
Squeals and Screeches
Squealing brakes are the most common and conspicuous problem associated with the braking system. The brakes make sharp, screeching sound when you stop fairly short. This is an indication of worn out, broken or distorted brake shoes and drum. The squealing sound could also be the result of entry of debris in the system or the accumulation of dust on the moving components of the system. Severely damaged pads should be replaced as soon as possible. A grinding sound suggests serious trouble with the braking system.
Pedal Sinks to the Floor
The brake pedal should neither be too firm nor too soft. Many car owners complain that when they step on the pedal, it sinks to the floor, easily. The braking system operates on hydraulic pressure. A pedal that can be easily depressed to the floor indicates a decrease in brake fluid stored in the master cylinder. Check the level of fluid in the master cylinder. Fluids leaks out if the master cylinder is defected or the external seals have worn out. If there is no decrease in the amount of fluid in the master cylinder, the pedal sinks to floor because there is air in the hydraulic system. Driving your vehicle in this condition is unsafe. It should be sent to the mechanic at the earliest.
Dragging
The brake should release as soon as you take your foot off the pedal. However, many-a-times this doesn't happen and they remain partially engaged. Some of the factors responsible for this problem include a failing master cylinder, forgetting to release the parking brake, misaligned calipers, a broken return spring or a defective proportioning valve.
Partial Loss of Function
This is another dangerous condition when it comes to problems associated with a car's barking system. The brakes are not as effective as they used to be. They travel too far before coming to a halt at high speeds. Lose of partial effectiveness is either due to worn out brake linings, incorrect fluid or an overheating brake drum.
Car Pulls to One Side
If your car pulls to one side when you push the pedal, its braking system needs to examined and fixed. A stuck caliper, fluid leakage from the master cylinder, worn out pads and bad discs are common causes for the car pulling to one side. You should evaluate the problem and fix it at the earliest.
Steering Wheel Shakes
As you cruise down the road your steering wheel suddenly does the wobble the moment you hit the brakes. What caused the sudden vibration? The rotors are the root cause of the problem. Rotors are discs made of metal. Rotors become warped with daily use. Also humidity and rain cause them to rust. When the brake pads clamp down on these imperfect or worn out rotors, the pedal rumbles and the vibrations are transferred to the steering wheel.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eugene_T_Wallace
Squeals and Screeches
Squealing brakes are the most common and conspicuous problem associated with the braking system. The brakes make sharp, screeching sound when you stop fairly short. This is an indication of worn out, broken or distorted brake shoes and drum. The squealing sound could also be the result of entry of debris in the system or the accumulation of dust on the moving components of the system. Severely damaged pads should be replaced as soon as possible. A grinding sound suggests serious trouble with the braking system.
Pedal Sinks to the Floor
The brake pedal should neither be too firm nor too soft. Many car owners complain that when they step on the pedal, it sinks to the floor, easily. The braking system operates on hydraulic pressure. A pedal that can be easily depressed to the floor indicates a decrease in brake fluid stored in the master cylinder. Check the level of fluid in the master cylinder. Fluids leaks out if the master cylinder is defected or the external seals have worn out. If there is no decrease in the amount of fluid in the master cylinder, the pedal sinks to floor because there is air in the hydraulic system. Driving your vehicle in this condition is unsafe. It should be sent to the mechanic at the earliest.
Dragging
The brake should release as soon as you take your foot off the pedal. However, many-a-times this doesn't happen and they remain partially engaged. Some of the factors responsible for this problem include a failing master cylinder, forgetting to release the parking brake, misaligned calipers, a broken return spring or a defective proportioning valve.
Partial Loss of Function
This is another dangerous condition when it comes to problems associated with a car's barking system. The brakes are not as effective as they used to be. They travel too far before coming to a halt at high speeds. Lose of partial effectiveness is either due to worn out brake linings, incorrect fluid or an overheating brake drum.
Car Pulls to One Side
If your car pulls to one side when you push the pedal, its braking system needs to examined and fixed. A stuck caliper, fluid leakage from the master cylinder, worn out pads and bad discs are common causes for the car pulling to one side. You should evaluate the problem and fix it at the earliest.
Steering Wheel Shakes
As you cruise down the road your steering wheel suddenly does the wobble the moment you hit the brakes. What caused the sudden vibration? The rotors are the root cause of the problem. Rotors are discs made of metal. Rotors become warped with daily use. Also humidity and rain cause them to rust. When the brake pads clamp down on these imperfect or worn out rotors, the pedal rumbles and the vibrations are transferred to the steering wheel.
