A Beginner's Guide to Brake Repair
Posted 11/04/09
Brake repair is one of the most common types of auto repair you will need done, and also the most important. However, if you are not car savvy, the variety of repairs brakes need is bewildering. Here are a few kinds of brake repairs you may see, two common and one rare.Replacing brake pads is a common and relatively inexpensive type of brake repair. Brake pads are the pieces that press directly against the rotor, the part that spins with the wheels and stops the car when you apply the brakes. Because the brake pads are in frequent contact with the spinning rotors, they see hard use and will eventually wear through.
The rotors may also need to be replaced. Ideally, they are large enough to dissipate the heat caused by rubbing against the brake pads, but many cars are fitted with rotors that are too small. Overheating leads to warping, which decreases the effectiveness of the brakes.
Replacing these parts of the brakes is generally a simple job. On the other hand, if the brake lines wear through, you may need to take your car into the shop for several days. Brake lines are the lines that carry fluid between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder or caliper, transmitting the force that causes the brake caliper to close and the brakes to be applied. If the lines break, the fluid dribbles out, and the brakes soften and rapidly cease to work. Depending on your make and model of car, you may need to wait for a new set of brake lines to be specially molded for your car. Fortunately, if you live in an area that does not see heavy snow or ice, you are unlikely to ever need your brake lines replaced. On the other hand, if you live farther north, where rough winter roads eat through brake lines, you will find that most cars need their brake lines replaced at least once over the course of ten years or so.
When in doubt, ask your mechanic exactly what is wrong. He or she should be able to explain the brake repair that needs to be done, and may even be able to show you the broken part. Unlike problems with the car's electronics, necessary brake repairs are usually dramatic and easy for even a beginner to see. Also consider doing a little research on YouTube or a mechanics' web site beforehand so you know what the intact parts of a brake system look like. Just a little education can go a long way toward demystifying brake repair.