You don’t need us to tell you how important your brakes are to your vehicle’s safety. You rely on them to stop your automobile slowly or in an instant. You know what could happen if your brakes fail, but we can help you avoid that from ever being a concern. Urb’s Garage not only repairs and replaces brake systems we also maintain them. Here are four signs you need to pay us a visit.
1. Unusual Handling
Your automobile will clue you in to potential problems. If you notice your pedal doesn’t depress as it normally would, in other words, it feels soft or squishy, you might have an issue with your brake fluid, lines, or master cylinder. If your vehicle shakes or pulls to one side when you brake, it could be your shoes or calipers. If your vehicle skids, your ABS system may be malfunctioning.
2. Stopping Distance
Another sign your brakes need repair or replacement is it takes a longer distance to stop your vehicle. This might be subtle at first, and may not notice that you have a problem stopping until you’re further out into the intersection than you would normally be. The issue could be your brake pads or a fluid leak, but it could also be a sign of a brake line or master cylinder problem.
3. Strange Sounds
If your brake pads are worn, they will make a squealing or squeaking noise when you depress your brake pedal. If they are completely worn, you’ll hear the grinding of metal on metal and you should not wait to have the pads replaced. The longer the metal pads grind against the calipers the more damage. Why spend on money on a pad and caliper replacement when it’s cheaper to replace the pads only?
4. Strange Smells
Your new brake pads will smell for a few days and that’s normal. If you notice a hot or burning smell when you engage your brakes all the time, there may be something else going on. It could be fluid leaking on the pads and calipers or a manufacturing issue with them. Either way, it’s wise to have your brakes inspected to isolate the cause of the smell just in case it’s something serious.
One bonus sign: Your brake warning light comes on. If that happens, don’t chance it. Bring your car, truck, or SUV into Urb’s Garage in Burlington, KY, for a brake inspection. We’ll diagnose the issue and recommend an affordable plan to repair or replace your brakes.
