Brake Problems

Information about your brake system replacement and common problems

Brakes are the amongst the most commonly replaced car parts, and the 80% basic principles of the brake system operations have stayed the same for many years.

Common Brake Problems

Brake Light On: If the brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it’s either time for your regular maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for possible causes for the dashboard indicator. Note: in some vehicles, this can be caused by your parking brake. Release it and see if the alert goes away.

Squealing or Squeaking Noises: New noises coming from your brakes aren’t always a sign of problems. It could just be a foreign object lodged in your brakes (a pebble or debris). It could also be your brake-pad wear indicators. These bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to emit a high-pitched noise when you apply the brakes. This lets you know it’s time to get your brake pads replaced.

Grinding Noises: Grinding noises, whether you have disc or drum brakes, could mean your brakes need servicing right away due to the brake pad or shoe scraping on metal contact points. A trip to Les Schwab is recommended when you hear or feel any form of grinding.

Wobbling or Vibration When Braking: If your steering wheel or vehicle shakes or vibrates when you apply the brakes, it could be that the thickness of your rotor is uneven. Brake rotors are large discs that sit inside of the wheels. When you hit the brakes, the brake pads push against the rotors, which stops your wheels from spinning.

Over time, it’s normal for the rotor surface to wear down and possibly become uneven. Braking friction, when you apply the brakes, results in the transfer of pad material to the rotor surface. If the pad material transfers unevenly, you may experience vibration when braking. Left uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. During brake servicing, the face of the rotor should be smoothed or evened out to correct flaws and keep you from feeling a wobble when you brake. If the rotors are too far worn to be serviced, they will need to be replaced.

Leaking Fluid: When you apply your brakes, a lot of things happen all at once. An important part of the process involves brake fluid, which is used to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your vehicle has no brake fluid, you won’t be able to stop safely. Check your vehicle’s brake fluid often and call or write us "Timer Mobile Mechanic" if you notice a decline in fluid level or leak.

Spongy or Soft Brakes: When you press on the brakes, you want to feel some resistance. If they feel soft or the pedal goes all the way to the floorboard, it could indicate air or moisture in the braking system. It could also be a problem with the master cylinder. It’s important you get to "Timer Mobile Mechanic" when you notice these issues.

Car Pulling to One Side When Braking: While this could be caused by any number of vehicle issues, it could be a bad brake hose or a caliper issue. When this happens on the front brakes, one brake may be working while another is not. This causes pull in the direction of the side that is creating braking force (still working). If only one rear caliper is not working properly, it can go unnoticed.

Burning Smells: A sharp, chemical odor could be a sign of overheated brakes. To avoid brake failure, pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Double-check that the parking brake is off. If there’s any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving without immediate repairs.

If you require a Brake Replacement quote, please complete our form or call: +48 796 078 795 and we will call you back with the best price.

Please note: In any situation if you have doubts that your brake system is not working properly and making too much of noise then you need to replace the damaged or existing brake system with the new one. It is the most important to replace the brake system so you can get the most out of the running of your car. One of the best options to replace the brake system is to visit the expert diagnosis.