How to Know When Car Brakes Need Work


It would be a perfect world if our cars and trucks never required routine maintenance and upkeep, but unfortunately that is not reality. Our vehicles require a specific level of care to preserve and sustain appearance, performance, and most importantly, safety. Routine maintenance such as windshield wiper blade replacement, radiator flushes, tire rotations, oil changes, tune-ups, and more, are critical to overall vehicle preservation.

Pay Special Attention to the Brakes

One of the most important components to keep in a safe and functional condition is the braking system. This system requires special attention in order to keep you safe on the road and protect your investment. If you neglect your car brakes, not only can it cause extra damage to your vehicle, it can lead to your car being a total loss. That is because, in many cases, when an entire braking system needs replaced, the cost can exceed the total value of the vehicle. In this situation, a person’s best bet is to sell their totaled car to a junk car buyer, purchase another vehicle, and then stay dedicated to a routine brake maintenance agenda to avoid vehicular damage.

As soon as you start to notice signs of brake problems, bring your car into a professional automotive body shop for an inspection before the problem can cause overall car damage. Don’t know the signs that suggest your car brakes need some work? Continue reading to learn the most common ones to keep an eye out for while you drive!

Repair or Replacement?

To understand how to identify or look out for brake problems in your vehicle, first it is helpful to understand the basic components of a car brake system. There are four general parts: the hydraulic clamp, brake fluid line, brake pads, and brake rotors. Some may argue that brake pads and rotors are actually part of the wheel, but in this case, we will still include them because they can influence the need for brake repair. In most cases, the brake lines and hydraulic clamp will not experience much wear and tear; they are built to last a long time. On the other hand, brake pads and rotors are susceptible to wear and tear at all times and will need replacing every few thousand miles or so.

They are exposed to deterioration every time you drive because the pad presses against the smooth metal rotor every time the brake is applied. Over time, this pad is worn down and will make a recognizable noise to warn you that they are low. Brake pads squeal or hiss when they get low. The noise is actually the result of the bare pad scraping against the metal rotor (the metal disk that spins on the wheel) and causing friction between them. It can start out as a faint squeak, and turn into a high-pitched squeal if neglected. If you hear grinding then the pad is most likely worn completely thin and is grinding against the rotor. This can really damage the brake rotors. The thickness of the brake padding, the amount of driving you do, and the way you drive all influence the amount of times you will need to replace them.

Selling a Junk Car for Cash

If you discover that your car brakes are shot and need to be replaced, but the cost exceeds the total value if your vehicle, you can still make it profitable by selling it to a junk car buyer. Choose a company that has premium electronic scales that can accurately assess the value of your junk car. Then use the cash toward another vehicle!