Brakes are the most important safety system in your car. They allow you to control your speed at any time. The braking system requires regular maintenance to keep it operating at its best. As time passes, parts will wear out or suffer damage, and you’ll need a brake repair at your Ford dealer. These are some signs your Ford could have a brake problem.
Screeching Noises
Unexpected noises from your car are never a good sign. These noises are even worse if they seem to be coming from your brakes. When your brakes are working correctly, you don’t hear any sound at all. A high-pitched screeching from the brakes signifies that the covering on your brake pads is wearing off and the pads will need replacement very soon.
The pads have a friction material covering them. This material generates friction against the smooth wheel rotors, which brings your car to a halt. As the material slowly wears off, your brakes will take longer to slow your car. When the covering has worn down to 1/4″ thick, the pads will begin to screech. Our technicians can easily replace your pads to fix this problem.
Grinding Noises
A harsh grinding noise from your brakes may be caused by severely damaged brake pads or a foreign object caught in the brake caliper. A brake caliper is positioned above each wheel rotor. When you apply the brakes, the brake pads are forced against the rotors by pressure from the brake fluid. Due to the position of the calipers, a stone can lodge in a caliper and produce grinding sounds when you brake.
As we saw above, screeching noises mean your pads are worn. If the pads aren’t replaced, the material will eventually wear off. When this happens, the bare metal of the brake pads will close against the wheel rotors. These pads will gouge into the rotor surface and damage them. We would need to replace your pads immediately to prevent further damage.
Brake Fluid Leak
Your braking system depends on brake fluid. The fluid is highly pressurized, and this pressure is exerted to cause the calipers to close on the rotor. Over time, if your brakes haven’t had their scheduled service, the system could develop a leak. Rusted brake lines or worn brake hoses are two possible places fluid can leak from.
Brake fluid can be difficult to spot, but you’ll feel a lack of fluid when you step on the brake pedal. As your braking system loses fluid, your brakes will become more difficult to apply. Our technicians will trace the leak and seal it.
Driving with bad brakes can cause an accident. Call us today at Nielsen Ford of Morristown.
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