Identifying Auto Service

Allowing your brake pads to wear down significantly creates a hazardous situation for yourself, your passengers, and other nearby vehicles. In addition to being unreasonably dangerous, you may also be creating extra repair costs for yourself in the future. In many cases, merely replacing worn brake pads is not enough to restore a neglected braking system to full efficiency.

If you've allowed your brakes to wear to the point where no friction material remains, then you will want to follow this four-step process to repair and refurbish your system. While replacing your pads, take the extra time to follow these three essential steps to ensure your brakes continue to function properly.

1. Evaluate Disc Condition

Your brake discs (or rotors) are the only point of contact between your pads and the rotating parts of your vehicle. As you use your brakes, a relatively small amount of disc material wears away. Under normal circumstances, this loss is minimal, and you can often reuse your existing rotors several times. With very worn pads, however, it is possible to dig grooves or channels into the metal.

Depending on their condition, you may be able to resurface and restore your rotors. To check this, a brake technician will measure the remaining thickness of the disc. If not enough material remains, you will need to replace your brake discs to avoid damaging your new pads.

2. Check and Bleed Fluid

When you allow your brakes to become exceptionally worn, you may also be causing your brake fluid to operate at higher than usual temperatures. High temperatures can burn your brake fluid, leading to reduced overall performance. Temperature cycles can also damage your brake hoses, allowing small amounts of rubber to contaminate the system.

Anytime you are attempting to repair a severely neglected braking system, you should always evaluate the condition of the fluid and replace it as needed. Likewise, a brake bleed is an essential step to remove air pockets from the hydraulic fluid lines.

3. Replace Worn Hoses

Finally, evaluate the condition of the flexible brake hoses at each wheel. Theses hoses provide "last mile" hydraulic fluid transportation to your calipers. If the hoses appear cracked, leaky, or in any way damaged, then they should be replaced immediately. Brake fluids leaks can cause a sudden loss of braking part, so you should always replace any hoses that appear to be in questionable condition.

Along with your tires, your brakes are one of the most essential safety components on your vehicle. Neglecting them is never wise, but failing to repair a neglected system properly can be even worse. The time and money you spend to do the job right will ensure the safe operation of your vehicle for tens of thousands of miles.

For more information on how to repair a braking system, contact Greg's  Garage.