Lesson 3

 Troubleshooting and
Maintenance of
Brake System

Here are five keys to brake maintenance that will help you stay safe on the
roads:

Check Brake Pads and Rotors

The brake pads and rotors are the point of contact between your braking system
and your tires. These elements deteriorate more easily than other components and
require more frequent maintenance. Friction between the tires and the brake pads
cause heat, and this heat wears down the brake pad. It is important to inspect the
quality and depth of the pads to make sure there is sufficient resistance.

If you notice you need to depress your brake pedal further or smell a burning
odor, or the distance it takes to stop increases drastically, it may be time to check and
replace your brake pads and rotors. To check your brake pads and rotors at home, you
need only remove the tire to assess the wear. If you notice wear or damage, replace
them immediately, or take them to an auto shop for a disc brake repair service.

Flush Your Brake Fluid

When you depress your brake pedal, pressure builds and is transferred through
the brake fluid from the master cylinder, through the brake lines, and into the calipers,
which transfer this pressure to the brake pads and rotors. Brake fluid is, therefore,
extremely important because it is the messenger between you and your car’s braking
system.
 Unfortunately, brake fluid attracts moisture, which can be highly damaging to
your braking system. Moisture in the brake fluid causes corrosion of the metal
components of the brakes and reduces the boiling point of the fluid and affects the
effectiveness of the brakes.

Brake fluid should be checked and changed every 25,000 miles. A cloudy or
milky quality indicates the fluid must be changed.

Bleed the Brake Lines

In addition to flushing the brake lines to change the brake fluid, it is also a good
idea to bleed the brake line to remove excess air. When small amounts of air become
trapped inside the brake line, it can reduce the efficacy of the braking system.

Bleeding the system removes the air from the brake line by depressing the brake pedal
while adjusting the bleeder valve, and this should be done every 2– 3 years. This can
be completed during a scheduled brake inspection service.

Repair or Upgrade Brake Pads

Sometimes it may be necessary to replace some elements in your braking

system, and this can be a good opportunity to upgrade to higher performance or
specialized components. Parts such as slotted disc brakes which are more heat resistant
or switching to ceramic pads, which are quieter and produce less brake dust, are
popular upgrades.

Upgrading and replacing brake parts when necessary will improve the longevity and
performance of your vehicle’s braking system.

Braking System Care

 One of the most effective ways to ensure the performance of your brakes is to look
after them. There are many external factors that contribute to brake deterioration, such
as:

 Carrying too much weight

 Unnecessary, late, or heavy braking
 Wet weather

Avoiding these, and other situations that can affect your braking performance where
possible, will keep your brakes performing better for longer and reduce the likelihood of
brake failure related incidents.

Final Thoughts

Your brakes are your safety on the road, and ensuring your brakes are in perfect
working order is essential to protect yourself and your passengers, as well as those
around you. Maintain all braking components and avoiding hazardous driving practices
will guarantee your brakes function efficiently.

How to Troubleshoot Brake Problems

To check for brake problems, you step on the pedal and press it down while
paying attention to how the pedal feels under your foot and evaluating the sensation.
The following steps tell you what to feel for.

Start your engine, but keep it in Park with the parking brake on. (If your vehicle
doesn’t have power brakes, it’s okay to do this check with the engine off.)

1. With the vehicle at rest, apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.
 Does it feel spongy? If so, you probably have air in your brake lines. Correcting
this problem isn’t difficult; unless your brakes have ABS or other sophisticated brake
systems, you can probably do the job yourself with the help of a friend.

Does the pedal stay firm when you continue applying pressure, or does it seem
to sink slowly to the floor? If the pedal sinks, your master cylinder may be defective,
and that’s unsafe.

2. Release the parking brake and drive around the block, stopping every
now and then.

Notice how much effort is required to bring your vehicle to a stop. With power
brakes, the pedal should stop 1 to 1-1⁄2 inches from the floor. (If you don’t have power
brakes, the pedal should stop more than 3 inches from the floor.)
If your vehicle has power brakes and stopping seems to take excessive effort, you may
need to have the power booster replaced.

3. If you feel that your brakes are low, pump the brake pedal a couple of
times as you drive around.

If pumping the pedal makes the car stop when the pedal’s higher up, either a
brake adjustment is in order or you need more brake fluid.

If the level of brake fluid in the master cylinder is low, buy the proper brake fluid
for your vehicle and add fluid to the “Full” line on your master cylinder. Check the fluid
level in the cylinder again in a few days.

If you find that you’re not low on fluid, drive carefully to a service facility and ask
them to remedy the situation. When they’ve worked their magic, the pedal shouldn’t
travel down as far before your vehicle stops.
As you drive around, notice how your total brake system performs, and ask
yourself these questions:

 Does the vehicle travel too far before coming to a stop in city traffic? If
it does, either your brakes need adjusting or you need new brake linings.

 Does the vehicle pull to one side when you brake? On vehicles with front
disc brakes, a stuck caliper and brake fluid leak can cause this problem.
 Does your brake pedal pulsate up and down when you stop in a non-
emergency situation? A pulsating brake pedal usually is caused by excessive
lateral run-out, which can happen because your brakes are overheating from
overuse.

 Does your steering wheel shake when you brake? If it does and you have
disc brakes, your front brake discs need to be professionally machined or
replaced.

 Do your brakes squeal when you stop fairly short? The squealing is a
high-pitched noise usually caused by vibration. Squealing can occur when the
brake linings are worn and need replacement, the brake drum or disc needs to
be machined, the front disc brake pads are loose or missing their anti-rattle clips,
the hardware that attaches the brake calipers is worn, or inferior brake linings
are in use.

 Do your brakes make a grinding noise that you can feel in the pedal? If
so, stop driving immediately and have your vehicle towed to a brake repair shop.
Further driving could damage the brake discs or drums. Grinding brakes are
caused by excessively worn brake linings; when the lining wears off, the metal
part of the brake pad or brake shoe contacts the brake disc or drum and can
quickly ruin the most expensive mechanical parts of the brake system.
 Does your vehicle bounce up and down when you stop short? Your shock
absorbers may need to be replaced.