Putting a STOP to Common Brake Problems

Are you interested in putting a STOP to common brake problems? The brake unit of an automobile is essential when it comes to proper vehicular use and reliability. This system allows you to control when the forward and/or reverse motion of the vehicle is slowed, or completely halted. There are many different components that work in conjunction with one another when it comes to the brake system of the standard automobile. If you own and operate a motor vehicle, it is in your best interest to ensure that you become familiar with these components, as well as some of the common brake problems that may occur during use. Here, you will be introduced to just that!

Components of the Brake System

The average brake system consists of many different components that work closely together in order to provide a sound means of slowing and stopping when necessary. The following indicates the various components that you are likely to find when maintaining and/or repairing your vehicle’s brake system:

1. There is a set of brakes on the front that are referred to as “disk”. You may also find that these types of brakes are on the rear of the vehicle. In some instances, the back brakes may have “drum” type brakes.

2. On each wheel of the vehicle, there are a number of hoses that connect the brakes on the wheels to the unit that is typically located in front of the driver’s side of the vehicle on top of the motor, called the “master cylinder”.

3. On top or to the side of the master cylinder is a plastic casing that holds and distributes brake fluid through the hoses that connect to the wheels of the vehicle.

When addressing common brake problems, it is important that you are comfortable with the various components of the system. If so, troubleshooting and resolving complications can be done with ease.

Common Brake Problems

One of the most common issues that many people experience when it comes to their brakes is that they make a loud, squealing sound when pressed with the foot. Ultimately, this is not a serious issue and can be resolved relatively quickly and easily. The following represents some common culprits:

1. The first thing you may want to consider is that the brake pads may be worn down to the point where the “metal is hitting metal”. The noise that is heard is basically a warning to drivers that it is time to throw on some new brake pads.

2. If you take a look at the brake pads and they have a lot of “meat” on them, and they seem to be “healthy”, the issue may be that you are missing what is called a “gasket”. You will need to look to the side of the brake pad, and right before the piston. If you do not see a small, metal gasket, then it may be time to replace this component.

Lack of brake pressure is another issue that may occur when it comes to the brake system of your vehicle. You can tell when this occurs because when you press on the pedal that controls the brakes in the car, you find that the pedal easily goes straight to the floor. There are typically three issues that may be occurring, ranging from a mild issue to a severe complication that may result in hundreds of dollars in repairs:

1. The first thing that you will want to do is check the brake fluid in the automobile. There is a reservoir that sits atop the master cylinder, or maybe to the side. Ensure that brake fluid goes all the way to the fill line. If it doesn’t simply add more fluid.

2. Now, there may come a situation in which air actually enters into the brake fluid in the reservoir and works its way into the brake lines and moves throughout the system. This can be a challenging situation. The best solution for this problem is to take the brake system and “bleed” them.

3. The most complicated and expensive of all possible scenarios is that the actual master cylinder component of the brake system may be faulty. There is no quick fix or easy repair kits for this situation. You will need to actually replace the master cylinder, and this is not cheap – especially if it is professionally done.

In Conclusion

The brake system of the motor vehicle is an essential and intricate system that works to assist you in slowing and completely stopping the vehicle when it becomes necessary to do so. There are many common brake problems that may occur. The two mentioned here are among the most experienced situations by drivers. By learning what you can about the issues that occur within this system, you can save yourself hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars. In addition to this, you can rest assured that you and others on the road are safe.

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