A brake system to work correctly is one of the most important safety features in your car. Regular maintenance of this system requires periodic inspection and maintenance of the components involved. Fix the brakes is not physically difficult, but it does require attention to detail and knowledge of the components involved.
Instructions
- Check the brake fluid level in the brake reservoir located under the hood next to the master cylinder and the firewall. This compartment shall have a minimum and maximum line injected into the plastic housing. Check that the fluid level is between the two brands. If it is low, remove the cap and fill to the max line, taking care that no dirt in the tank.
- Inspect brakes ranging from brake master cylinder to each of the four tires. If leaks are present, the line should be replaced. Any cracking or peeling of flexible rubber lines are indicators that these lines should also be replaced.
- Remove the four tires (one at a time, unless you have access to a garage with elevator) and inspect the brake pads. If the pads have been crystallized by overheating, if they are worn unevenly, if cracked, or worn to the point that the metal fasteners fail to see, then it’s time to change the brake pads.
- Examine each rotor or drum while the tires are removed to control uneven wear. If deep grooves, or if the surface is irregular or distorted appearance, then the drum or rotor needs to be a professional shop for brakes to make the process rotated. Rotating a rotor is the process where the uneven grooves are removed by a special metal lathe. In addition, practitioners should measure the rotor or drum to ensure that there is enough metal to coat the article and maintain the security of the minimum thicknesses.
- Do a test to feel for inconsistencies in the brakes. The soft or mushy brakes indicate that there is air in the brake lines and the brakes have to be purged. If the steering wheel pulls to one side when braking, this indicates that the front brakes should be adjusted and / or possibly replaced. The pulsating brake vibration or indicate that there is uneven wear on the brakes or the rotors and drums. In addition, the parking brake must be tested to avoid the vehicle to move forward or backward when applied.
Tips and Warnings
- These inspections and system checks include a service job normal brakes. Any problems or issues found during an inspection of standard brakes need additional work to complete. Many of these processes can be performed by the home mechanic. However, always keep in mind that the brakes are one of the most important vehicle safety systems. If you do not feel completely comfortable doing work of this nature on your own, take the vehicle to the shop.
- Never leave an unattended vehicle while suspended in cats.
- Any leak in a brake system requires immediate attention.