How to Tell If Your Brakes Need to Be Replaced

Maintaining your car's brakes can make the difference between driving carefully and driving dangerously.  Hopefully you've got your brakes checked on a regular basis so you won't be stunned when it is time to have your brake repair job done.  However if you have let your upkeep go there are still some signs of when you need to have your brakes checked for mend or replacement. 

The most obvious indicator you need to have your brakes repaired is when your brakes squeal when you apply or release them. 

Actually by the time your brakes are making this noise, it suggests your brake pads are down to the metal and they're rubbing up against the metal rotor of your brakes and brake repair is much needed.  This is completely dangerous and you should not be driving your automobile in this condition as you are driving with very almost no braking power. 

Other indicators that your brakes are getting worn include your brakes grabbing when you apply them or your steering wheel vibrating when you apply your brakes.  Another warning sign is your stopping distance increases because it is taking some more time for your brakes to work.  If you've got your brakes looked at sufficiently early, before you are hearing metal on metal you'll still be well placed to get away with some brake fix maintenance that won't mean replacing your full brake system and you may need to have your brake pads replaced. 

Under the best of conditions your brakes need to have at least a 10-12 mm thickness.  By the time the thickness hits four mm it is a good time to replace them and by the point you are hearing metal to metal, your brake pad thickness is down to a threatening two mm thresh hold. 

Some other examples of parts of your automobile braking system that may be maintained or replaced include the brakes rotors.  On older automobiles, the rotors can be shaved low so that the metal is once again smooth, and you can get extra life from the brake rotors on your auto.  On more modern automobiles however the rotors are generally built to be thinner and lighter so the option to shave down the metal for a smooth new life is reduced.  So if you've a more recent car, you almost certainly should replace rather than attempt to turn or shave the rotors down dependent on your technicians advice. 

The life span of your rotors will alter on a wide selection of factors including your driving habits, where you drive, the kind of car you drive and the quality of rotor parts.  You should expect to replace your rotors between 18,000 and sixty thousand miles with all these factors coming into play. 

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