5 Signs You Need Car Brake Repairs

As car owners, we rely on our brakes to work properly without giving it much thought. But there is a complex system at work to make sure your car brakes effectively – which means there are lots of opportunities for a fault to happen. If you’re experiencing any of the following five warning signs, you need to bring your car into our Maidstone garage ASAP for a free check and relaible brake repairs. 

1. You hear a squealing noise

When you hit the brake, can you hear a high-pitch squealing noise? This is one of the common warning signs that your brake pads need to be replaced.

Most brake pads are manufactured with “wear indicators” that let you know when they need replacing. That screeching sound is your alarm that your pads have worn down are now at a dangerous level.

If you’ve started to hear a grating noise too, this means the warning indicator is scraping against the rotor and your brake pads are at risk of eroding away completely.

2. You hear a clicking noise

Many cars have a holding device that the brake pads fit into. On others, there are clips and pins holding them in place. Either way, the aim is to stop the brake pads from moving around.

If the pads become loose, they’ll rattle and you’ll hear a clicking sound whenever you hit the brake.

3. Your car doesn’t stop like it used to

When you press the brake, does it feel like your car is taking longer and longer to come to a full stop? This is known as “brake fade”. If you live in a hilly area that requires a lot of prolonged braking, the brake pads and rotor can become worn quickly and over time, the friction needed to stop is reduced. 

You always want to be able to stop very quickly if you ever need to do an emergency brake, so if your car isn’t stopping quickly when you hit the brake, bring it in for a check.

4. Your car pulls to one side when you brake

You have two brake pads, one on each side, and they don’t always wear at the same rate. If your brake and feel your car pulling slightly to one side, you’ve probably got one worn down brake pad.

Left unchecked for too long and you’ll end up with unnecessary stress on your steering rack. Brake pads are quick and affordable to replace, so bring your car in and we’ll let you know if one or both need to be replaced.

5. The brake pedal vibrates when pressed

Can you feel the pedal vibrating violently when you press down on it? This is probably an issue with the rotor. When a brake pad is overheated, the resin that holds it together spreads (what we call “glazing”) and causes the vibration.

It’s always a good idea to get this checked out before it compromises your ability to brake safely.

Get your brakes repaired in Maidstone

If you’ve experienced any of the above issues or you’re just concerned about your brakes, bring your car in for a free check. We’ll let you know if your brake pads need to be replaced and give you a free quote for any repairs:  01622 761 184