Ideally, drivers should have their brakes serviced at least twice a year. Needless to say, the brakes are the last car part you’d want to have malfunctioning while on the road. If you ever find the following signs of wear and tear in your brakes, don’t hesitate to visit your local Ford dealer for brake repair.
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Tugging to One Side
Brake problems rarely develop on both sides of the car at once, so when one of your brake mechanisms has a fault, you might notice the car pulling slightly to one side when you slow or stop your car. The tugging will usually be to the opposite side of the problematic brake component.
Slow Stopping Response
Brakes should always be strong and reliable. If you ever detect a reduction in stopping power, pull over as soon as you safely can and try to figure out what the problem is. Reduced stopping power is sometimes a result of overheating brake components, which can cause a temporary loss of friction known as brake fade.
Soft Brake Pedal
Leaking brake fluid will often make the brakes feel soft and spongy. This strange sensation is one of the brake lines failing to deliver the proper stopping signal to the caliper.
The leaking brake fluid leaves the line without full hydraulic pressure, which is how the stopping signal is usually transmitted. Brake fluid is an oily yellow-brown liquid, which you might see puddling under your car in the case of a leak.
Thinning Brake Pads
Brake pads do the brunt of the work when it comes to stopping your car. Each time you use your brakes, the pads clamp onto the rotors, generating enormous friction. A tiny bit more of the pads are also shaved away each time you use them.
When brake pads become too thin, you may be able to see it by peering through the sides of your wheels. Brake pads are also designed to make a squealing sound when they need to be replaced.
Metallic Grinding Sounds
Loud metallic grinding sounds are never a good sign when it comes to your brakes. If you hear grinding, one of your pads may have worn too thin, and you’re now hearing the metal casing scraping directly on the rotor disc, causing a good deal of damage.
Grinding might also be caused by a loose bolt or stone trapped in a caliper, or something else altogether. Have a technician diagnose the source of the sound and repair it at once.
Rhythmic Vibrations
If the rotors become damaged or warped, they may generate rhythmic vibrations whenever the brakes are applied. You’re likely to feel this vibration through the brake pedal or even the steering wheel when you try to slow your car.
Have your brakes serviced or repaired today at Visalia Ford. We’re a trusted local dealership providing great vehicles and great customer service.
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