Modern disc brakes provide excellent performance on the road, along with reliability and relatively low maintenance costs. Although you may face some brake system repairs on older cars, you can usually get by simply by replacing your brake pads and rotors as needed. However, this approach doesn't do much more than keep your brakes working. Going a step further can ensure they remain at peak performance.
What Happens During a Routine Disc Brake Service?
A routine disc brake service keeps your brakes adequately lubricated and cleaned while also helping to spot any developing issues before they become too severe. The most straightforward disc brake systems consist of a rotor, brake pads, a caliper, and a flexible brake hose to supply the caliper with hydraulic fluid. Each of these items can develop problems or occasionally require attention.
During a thorough service, a technician will remove the pads from the rotor and measure their thickness. This step gives you a relatively good estimate of how much life your brake pads have left. They may also clean the caliper bracket and lubricate the caliper's slide pins while the pads are off. These simple tasks help to reduce potential sources of noise in your braking system.
Finally, the technician will inspect the caliper operation, brake fluid hoses, and brake fluid condition. Problems with your calipers or brake fluids can cause your brakes to stick or, in a worst-case scenario, cause a loss of braking pressure. These checks help to ensure that everything appears to be operating correctly.
Why Should You Schedule Routine Brake Services?
Ignoring your brake pads until they wear out might seem like a cost-effective option, but it's an excellent way to create more headaches and the potential for expensive repairs. Depending on driving conditions, brake pads can last upwards of 70,000 miles, putting a significant amount of time between replacement jobs.
Routine disc brake servicing and inspection appointments fill in these gaps. You'll give technicians a chance to detect any issues with your braking system before they become hazards on the road, and you'll also have a better idea of how much life your pads have left. Finding and resolving problems this way is often much cheaper than waiting for failures to occur.
Brakes also tend to pick up a lot of dirt, dust, and debris after many years of service. These contaminants can create noise or even cause your brakes to perform poorly. Routine lubrication and cleaning can prevent these problems, keeping your brakes quiet and smooth no matter how long you typically go between brake pad replacements.
Look for a mechanic who offers free brake inspections to check on your brakes.
Share26 October 2021
After trying in vain to fix my car for a few months, I realized that I needed to hire a professional. I was tired of dealing with repairs that I was unfamiliar with, and I knew that I needed to get some help. I started looking around for a great auto mechanic, and even though one business was more expensive than others, I decided to work with them. They worked hard to fix my car, and I was really pleased with how great of a job they did. This blog is all about investing in proper auto service so that you don't have to deal with problems in the future.
