If you have fluid spots on the garage floor around your tires, your vehicle could be leaking brake fluid. Brake fluid is light brown or red in most cases. It may be brown or dark brown if it is dirty and needs to be changed. Rick’s Auto Center does not recommend that you drive your car, truck, or C/SUV if it is leaking brake fluid, as the brakes may fail. Leaking fluid is one sign of brake trouble. Here are others.
Noise When Applying the Brakes
Strange noises when you apply the brakes also indicate brake trouble. Grinding or scraping sounds are a sign that your brake pad surfaces have worn away completely. Squealing noises can be a sign of an overheating brake system or an indication that the brake pads only have 1/4-inch of surface left.
Wobbling When Applying the Brakes
If your vehicle wobbles or vibrates when you apply the brakes, you might be dealing with warped rotor surfaces. These surfaces rub against the brake pads to generate needed friction. They will warp over time and need to be recut. Wobbling can also be a sign that a small piece of debris is stuck in a caliper.
Changes in Pedal Resistance
Another sign that your brakes need to be serviced is a change in the brake pedal resistance. The pedal may feel harder to depress underneath your foot or be squishy and soft. The latter is a sign that you have tiny air bubbles developing in the brake fluid or a master cylinder that is going bad.
Veering When Applying the Brakes
If your automobile veers to the right or left when you apply the brakes, you’ve got a stuck caliper. If you drive an automobile that has over 100,000 miles on the odometer or is 10 years old or older, the calipers have lived their normal lifespan. Regular brake inspections allow us to change the calipers when needed.
Burning Chemical/Carpet Odors
We discussed briefly above that a squealing noise can be a sign that your brake system is overheating. This is particularly true if the noise is accompanied by a burning chemical or carpet odor. The former indicates the brake fluid is boiling. The latter indicates the brake pads and rotors have glazed.
Dashboard Warning Light
Finally, your automobile may give you a visual sign that the brake system is bad. You may end up with an illuminated ABS light on the dashboard if the anti-lock brake system reports an error to the engine control module. The Brake light might also turn on for brake problems not associated with the ABS.
Rick’s Auto Center in Hamden, CT, can inspect your brakes and repair them if necessary. Call us today for a service appointment.