Common Brake Problems Faced Today

There are few things more terrifying as a driver than to press down on the brake pedal and have absolutely nothing happen. Fortunately this doesn’t happen very often, but a little knowledge can stop a lot of panic attacks down the road.  Having well maintained brakes and brake pads is a part of car ownership that will keep a driver and all passengers in a car safe. Practicing safe driving techniques can also contribute to reducing the wear and tear on your brakes. When a driver listens to every sound and pays attention to the feeling of the brakes and how they react, a driver will be able to avoid many problems. 

Brake Pad Troubles

When the brake pads have worn through you will know it because it will cause a noticeable scraping and grinding sound, because there is metal rubbing against metal. Clearly the maintenance of this vehicle has been put off far too long.  A failure to fix this immediately is going to leave to more costly repairs than just the brakes.  Having bad brake pads and brake shoes is just a part of general car maintenance. 

Brake Lights on the Dashboard Come On

If the brake lights on the dashboard light up, they are trying to tell a vehicle operator something important.  You should cease driving immediately because brake failure could be eminent. Have the brake system checked out completely because this is often an indication that there is a leaking of brake fluid occurring.  If you have any leaks in the system they should be repaired immediately so that the vehicle will be safe.  The brake light could mean that the emergency brake is still on.  Fixing this is much easier as all you will have to do is release the emergency brake. 

When the Brakes Are Shaking

Sometimes a driver will experience that feeling that the brake pedal is shaking or vibrating. This is a sign that the brake rotors of a vehicle are probably not evenly worn. When brake rotors don’t make consistent contact evenly with the brake pads then the result is a shaking in the brakes.  The problem should be addressed, by either resurfacing the rotors or by replacing them all together. Once the repairs are done the brake shaking will cease. 

Brake Pedal Pushes in Too Far

When a brake pedal is pressed a driver should feel a little resistance to the foot. If the resistance is not as great as it should be, the brake pedal will have to be depressed to a level that is not normal. This is caused most often by worn brake pads or brake shoes or that there is air in the lines. Get your brakes checked as soon as possible to fix any long term problems. However in the short term pumping the brakes or depressing them several times quickly will help the brake system compensate for this problem. 

Common brake problems happen all the time in vehicles of all kinds. Pay attention to the performance of your vehicle and address any uncommon sounds that occur when you press the brakes, or any feeling that is different in the way they react.