Of all the maintenance items you must handle to safely operate a vehicle, brake inspection, brake service, and brake repair may be the most important. Afterall, you can’t drive if you can’t stop, and your braking system is what allows you to do so. If you suspect a problem with your brakes, you may be asking yourself, “How do I repair brakes on my car without losing significant time on the road and money out of my pocket?” First, it’s important to understand your brake system, and find an honest mechanic who will give you straightforward advice for brake service and brake repair.
Understanding the Components of Your Brake System
Perhaps the most vital part of your braking system are the drums, shoes, and lining. These are likely the sources of your problem if you are noticing issues with your brakes are operating. The purpose of the brake drum is to house the braking mechanism, so that the lining and the shoe get shoved inside the wall of the drum when the brakes are active. This adhesion is what causes your car to slow down or stop. The engagement of your brakes produces heat taken in by the drums. The drums are made with the intent to take on heat, but how much heat depends on the usage of the brakes. Excessive amounts of heat could be detrimental to your brakes.
Don’t Wait to Replace Brakes
To test your brakes to see if you need a brake repair or brake service, after starting your car, build up the pressure to 90-110 lbs. Check your parking brake by:
- Applying the parking brake
- Shifting into gear
- Releasing the clutch
- Attempting to move
You should not move. Next, charge your air system and allow the airlines to fill. (It will take about a minute to be able to check for leaks.) Apply 90 pounds of pressure and hold for one minute. Three psi should be the maximum leakage. Pumping the brakes should cause the light/alarm to activate, and if you keep pumping, the protection valve should pop out. Then, running and in neutral, check to see how long it takes for the pressure to build back up to between 65 and 100 psi. As the pressure builds, the air governor should blow out.
Our Mechanics Are Brake Repair Experts
Because brakes don’t fail overnight, it isn’t always easy to know when your brakes have reached the point where they are dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to have your brakes checked regularly and to take care of any brake service or brake repair you need sooner rather than later. Audible awareness and recognizing when your system is out of whack should ignite immediate action as putting off repair may increase the wear and tear and needs for repair. If it’s time to replace brakes or any braking system components, make sure you go to a reputable auto repair shop that uses quality parts. You can trust our mechanics to keep your brakes in excellent condition, so you can drive with confidence.