Warning signs of an unsafe car brake system

(Baonghean.vn) -Brakes can be said to be the gatekeeper for the safety of people and vehicles. Therefore, car users should regularly check this part to repair and fix it in time, avoid waiting until the brakes are broken and then know.

Here are the signs that your brakes are starting to fail and how to spot the problem while driving.

Strange sounds

Strange noises are one of the warning signs that your braking system is in need of service. However, the noise can come from anywhere in the system, for example, a screeching noise can be caused by brake pads and rotors not working properly, requiring repair.

There may also be a screeching sound from the brake pad sensor indicating that it needs to be replaced. Sometimes you may also hear metal rubbing sounds, which may be caused by the brake pads being worn out, causing the metal clippers to come into direct contact with the rotor. And every time you use the brakes, these two metal parts rub against each other. When this happens, it will make it difficult for you to brake, and it can also damage the rotor.

Abnormal traction

This is due to the abnormal traction that is created when a caliper is stuck. Because of this, one wheel will have more friction than the others, leading to a tendency for your car to veer towards the wheel with the stuck caliper.

The unusual pulling may not be caused by brake system failure. It may be caused by different tire pressures or wear. This causes one tire to have less contact with the road. The best thing you can do to help your car is to take it to a service center.

Vibration sensation

If you feel the brake pedal vibrating under normal circumstances, there may be a problem with the car's braking system. The cause is usually a deformed rotor. The uneven surface of the rotor cannot be detected by its work with the brake pads, but you must feel it through the vibration of the brake pedal.

Feeling the brake pedal vibrate when pressed is also a sign of a problem with the brake system.

Unusual brake feelg

A light brake pedal feel can be caused by worn brake pads or a problem with the hydraulic system such as a fluid leak or air getting into the reservoir. To check for fluid leaks, place an old rag or piece of cardboard under the car overnight. If any fluid comes out, it will be on the rag or cardboard.

If your brake pedal feels too hard, there may be a problem with the small contact parts in your car's braking system. Usually, the cause in this situation is uneven rotor wear or dirty brake fluid. You can change the brake fluid at the repair center to make the brakes work better.

Worn brake pads

Most cars today are equipped with disc brakes. This system works by applying a hydraulic pump filled with brake fluid to a set of pads called calipers, causing them to squeeze together on a disc called a rotor. The friction created between the pads and the rotor causes the car to stop.

Over time, these pads will start to wear down due to friction. This causes the car's braking system to become less effective and the car will stop more slowly, meaning the brakes will no longer "work".

Check by looking between the spokes of the wheel to see a shiny metal rotor inside. The brake pads are located between the calipers and rotors. If the brake pads are thinner than a quarter of an inch (about 6.35 mm), they are no longer safe and need to be replaced.

Brake pedal is unstable

If the brake pedal works sometimes and not sometimes, it means there is a problem with the brake system such as oil leak, air leak, uneven brake pads, dirty brake fluid... The most dangerous situation is when the brake pads are stuck to the brake disc, the hydraulic system loses its elasticity so the brake pedal does not bounce back.

Detect problems while driving

- Observation while driving:If your foot is not firmly pressed on the brake pedal, or if the pedal almost touches the floor before it “engages”, these are signs that need to be checked. The cause could be low brake fluid, or a leak somewhere.

If you feel the car or steering wheel vibrate when you brake, it is a sign that the brake disc needs to be replaced or the brake disc is too worn and needs to be resurfaced.

It is important to listen for signs of wear. For example, a squealing or metal-on-metal sound indicates worn brake linings. If not addressed promptly, this can lead to more serious problems.

- Observe the engine compartment:When not driving, we can open the hood to check the amount of brake fluid stored in the reservoir. Most reservoirs are translucent, so controlling the fluid level is relatively easy. This control should be done once a month.

If the oil level is low, it needs to be topped up. But if you notice a steady drop in the oil level, it could be an indication of a leak somewhere in the system, possibly in the brake system lines.

You should regularly open the brake fluid cap to check the color of the fluid. New fluid is clear or translucent. Old and soon-to-be-expired fluid is dark and dirty after a long time of exposure to dust, dirt, humidity, etc. If the brake fluid has turned dark, it is time to change the fluid, not just top it up.

- Check brake fluid level:When not driving, we can open the hood to check the amount of brake fluid stored in the tank. Most of the oil tanks are transparent so it is relatively easy to control the oil level. This control should be done every half month.

If the oil level is low, more oil needs to be added.

If the fluid level gets low, it needs to be topped up. But if you notice a steady drop in fluid level, it could be a sign of a leak, possibly in the brake system lines.

Maintenance experts recommend opening the oil cap regularly to check the color of the oil. New oil is clear or translucent. Old and soon-to-be-expired oil is a dirty dark color after a long time of being contaminated with dust, dirt, impurities, etc. If the brake fluid has turned dark, it is time to replace the brake fluid completely, not just top it up.

- Check the brake fluid pipe system:To check the brake system, the vehicle must be jacked up. Check the flexible hoses and rigid metal pipes for leaks or rust.

Metal pipes run the length of the vehicle, so all of them need to be checked. Also check the rubber hoses that carry oil to the brake calipers located at the wheels. With flexible hoses, check for rough spots, as roughness is a sign of a leak. Do not let these hoses touch moving parts of the vehicle, or heat-generating parts, such as the exhaust pipe.

- Check by removing the wheel:If we have time, we should remove the wheel to check the condition of the brake disc (rotor) on the 2 front wheels. Notice if the brake disc has any scratches or how worn it is. Scratches on the brake disc surface, if any, are a sign that there is a lot of dirt (such as gravel or sand) stuck between the lining and the surface of the brake disc, causing such damage.

If the brake disc surface is badly scratched, it needs to be checked, if necessary re-smoothed, if it cannot be smoothed, it needs to be replaced.

For drum brakes on the 2 rear wheels, we need to carefully remove the brake drum to be able to check the inside. When doing this, you need to wear a mask to avoid breathing in the dust on the brakes. You have to check many other signs, such as whether the brake is too dusty, whether the brake drum or disc is bent up; whether the brake cylinder is damaged; and the oil in the pads...

- Bleed air in the brake system:After replacing the brake disc, brake pads, brake shoes and oil, you often see the mechanic perform the process of "bleeding air" for the brake system. This is because there is still air in the brake fluid and oil pipes (air gets mixed in when the brake pads wear out, when the brake fluid level is low), making the brake less effective. Then "bleeding air bubbles" in the brake system to ensure the brake works more effectively and safely

The brake system on a car is a very important part that affects the safety of the vehicle when it is in operation. Therefore, the driver needs to pay special attention to this system.

During the operation of the car, the brake system must always work well to reduce speed and stop completely when encountering obstacles on the road. The brake mechanism and the wheel hub are the most vulnerable parts after the car is in operation. Because they are in a low position, mud and water can easily penetrate. Therefore, this is a system you need to pay special attention to.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)