BRAKES CHECK AND REPLACEMENT

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DO I NEED A BRAKE INSPECTION?

There is number of ways of telling that your brakes need checking.
This is normally when brake pads are heavily worn, this can result in a grinding noise as the brake pad has worn down to the brake capliers. This will likely damage the brake disc with grinding the brake disc(s).
It could suggest the brake caliper has stuck and the brakes pad remains partially applied to the disc but some pads have wear indicators that squeal when worn to let the driver know the brakes need changing.
If a brake warning light appears on your instrument panel either continuously or when you apply the brakes it usually means the brake fluid level is critically low. This could also indicate a leak in the brake hoses.
If your car pulls to the left or right when you apply the brakes this is usually indicates sticking of hydraulic or mechanical component such as a seized caliper.
The brake pedal feels spongy and the brakes seem unresponsive. This is a sign that air has entered the brakes lines and is preventing the brake fluid from flowing through this system effectively.
If the handbrake is pulling up higher than it normally does it may need adjusting. In modern cars, this is usually anything more than 6 to 8 clicks. If the handbrake lever reaches the end of its travel it will fail the MOT.
If your brake fluid is over 2 years old it may be losing its effectiveness, this is normally because it absorbs moisture over time and affecting its braking ability. Brake fluid should be changed approximately every two years but check your manufacturers handbook.
If the brake pedal is limp and goes all the way to the floor, this indicates a serious braking system fault which you should have inspected immediately. A brake pedal that is soft and can be applied all the way to the floor usually means the brake fluid need replacing but there can be several other potential reasons such as a master cylinder fault.
If you feel a continuous pulsating/juddering from the brake pedal whenever you apply the brakes, this indicates the brake disc has become warped due to excessive heat. Pulsation/juddering occurs because the brake disc is distorted and no longer provides a perfectly flat surface when the brake pad makes contact. If this only occurs when you apply the brakes firmly, it could just be the ABS kicking in but you should have this checked out if you are concerned.

YOUR FREE BRAKE CHECK AT QCD AUTOCENTRE

Regular brake checks are an important part of any vehicle preventative maintenance plan. Brake checks can identify a problem before it begins to impact on your braking efficiency, thus providing an opportunity to restore the effectiveness of your vehicle’s braking system to its intended operating performance. At QCD Autocentre we know how important the regular inspection and maintenance of your brakes can be to ensure your brakes continue to work effectively. Our technicians who are fully trained and committed to maintaining your brakes in a transparent manor.

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR BRAKES

For example, a set of brake pads could last up to 60,000 miles or more on a car driven mostly on the motorway. However, the brakes on the same car driven mostly in busy city centre traffic may last only 25,000 miles or less.
Front brakes normally wear out before rear brakes because they handle a higher percentage of the braking load, especially on front-wheel drive cars.
It is often recommended that brake pads should be replaced if the pad material has worn down to a thickness of 3 millimetres. Brake disc thickness should be measured if they are at or below the manufacturer’s safe minimum thickness specification they should be replaced.