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6 Signs You Need Your Brakes Inspected

Vincent Ferrer
September 10, 2019

Brakes are one of the most important features on your car, so it’s important to keep them in top-working condition. When there is something wrong with your breaks, your car lets you know. You just have to know how to read the clues. Check out these six common signs of brake problems, so you know when to have your brakes inspected.

The Brakes Make Unusual Sounds When Used

When you apply the brakes, they should be quiet, but when something goes wrong with your breaks, there is a lot of different noises they can make, and different noises point to a different problem. Two common brake noises include:

  • Squealing: Squealing while braking are one of the first signs your brake pads are worn and must be replaced
  • Grinding: Grinding occurs when the brake pads are completely worn. At this point, you’ll most likely need to replace your brake pads and rotors

The Car Pulls to One Side While Braking

If your car pulls to one side, it could be your alignment. However, if your car only pulls to one side while braking, and you experience other signs, like squealing, it could point to your brake pads. This occurs if your brake pads are wearing unevenly, which causes one to work better than the other, pulling your car to one side.

The Rotor Is Damaged

If your brake pads wear too much, they start to damage the rotor. When this occurs, you’ll notice grooves or scores on the rotors. If the grooves are thin and shallow, you’ll only need to have your brake pads replaced. However, if you’ve gone too long without having them checked, and the grooves have become deep, you’ll need a new rotors and brake pads.

The Brake Pedal Vibrates

Brakes with ABS naturally vibrate if you slam down on the brake, but when you gradually, step on the brake pedal, it should not vibrate. This vibration may be due to the brake pads or the rotor:

  • Brake pads: As the worn brake pads try to grab the rotor, they skip and jerk, causing the pedal to jump and vibrate. Even oily or dirty brake pads can cause this
  • Rotor: If your rotor is damaged or worn due to normal wear and tear or extensive over use, like driving up a steep mountain, it can also cause the pedal to vibrate and grab

The Brakes Are Slow to React

If you step on your brakes, and they take longer than normal to react, go down too far or go down slowly, it could point to worn brake pads or low brake fluid. In some cases, you may have to push down on your brake farther than normal or even all the way to the floor before you actually stop. In this situation, it could mean you have low brake fluid or your brake fluid is contaminated with air. If you hear squeaking or squealing in conjunction with the slow braking, it’s probably the brake pads.

Brakes Are too Firm

Stopping a car shouldn’t be as easy as stepping on a pedal, but it is because of the brake booster, which uses a vacuum to give you more power. If there is a leak in this vacuum, it can’t work properly, which makes it difficult to push down on the brake pedal. Another problem could be that the brake fluid isn’t getting where it needs to because of an obstruction.

Don’t endanger yourself or your family. If your car is showing any of these signs, it’s time to seek help. Contact a local mechanic in your area today to schedule a check-up.