Many drivers will check their tires, water, and oil but ignore a plaintive screech from the brakes. Brakes are depended upon to work when they’re needed. Your brakes suffer wear and tear as they work, and this causes damage. As your Chevy dealer, we’d like to tell you some of the signs that you need a brake repair.
3 Signs You Need a Brake Repair at Your Chevy Dealer
The Brake Pedal Won’t Move
When you step on the brake pedal, you expect to feel resistance. This resistance grows as you press harder, and it’s a sign your brakes are working correctly. The resistance is generated by the pressurized brake fluid, which forces the braking system to engage. If you step on the pedal and it almost won’t budge, this is a sign of trouble.
The braking system requires high pressure as it must bring a moving vehicle weighing several thousand pounds to a halt. To make this system work, it needs the pressure provided by the brake booster. The booster uses a vacuum system to generate 10x human strength to engage the braking system. A damaged booster can’t provide this pressure, and your pedal won’t move without it. We can repair or replace the booster to fix this problem.
Burning Rubber Smell
If you smell burning rubber, the usual response is to check your tires for damage. The problem, however, could be the brake fluid, not the tires. Brake fluid is essential as it provides the power to engage the braking system. This fluid needs to be changed regularly according to your service schedule to keep it working efficiently.
Old brake fluid becomes prone to overheating. Using the brakes generates a large amount of pressure, increasing the heat in the braking system. The old fluid can overheat and even boil. Boiling brake fluid produces a nasty smell like burning rubber. Burnt brake fluid is dangerous as it doesn’t provide the hydraulic pressure the braking system needs. We can flush the system to remove the burnt fluid residue and refill it.
Screeching Brakes
High-pitched screeching noises from the brakes mean your brake pads are worn and need replacement. The brake pads fit into the calipers and provide the friction that stops the wheel rotors. The friction material on the pads gradually wears off as you use the brakes.
When the pads have reached their replacement time, you’ll hear screeching each time you brake. The screeching sound is caused by a metal spike in the pad scratching against the rotor. When you hear a screech, it’s time to come in and have the pads changed.
If your brakes aren’t working as well as they should, call us ASAP at Hank Graff Chevrolet.
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