Auto Issues That Lead To Braking Problems

7 May 2019
 Categories: , Blog

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The brake is one of the most important parts of the car as far as road safety is concerned. You should be on the lookout for causes braking problems so that you can nip them in the bud as soon as they occur. The following are some of the problems that may lead to braking issues.

Worn Out Pads

Brake pads are metallic plates with friction materials that press upon the brake discs (rotors) to stop the car. When the friction material on the surface of the plates wear out, the friction between the pads and the discs reduce, and the braking ability suffers. All brake pads, even the best ones, eventually wear out and get to this point.

Worn Out Seals

Auto manufacturers use rubber seals, due to the airtight connections they can make, to seal different parts of the car. For example, the manufacturers use rubber seals to secure different parts of the brake system, including the brake master cylinder, and prevent fluid leaks.

The brake fluid transfers the braking power from the braking pedal to the wheels. Thus, when the rubber seals deteriorate and lose their sealing power, the brake fluid leaks and interfere with braking.

Poor Lubrication

Friction is both a good thing and a bad thing in your braking system; the determinant is where exactly the friction is felt. For example, friction between the brake pads and discs is necessary for braking, but friction between different parts of the drums brakes is unnecessary and dangerous. Different parts of the brake should be able to move smoothly for efficient braking and brake longevity, and inadequate lubrications interferes with all that.

Uneven Brake Discs

Maximum contact between the brake pads and discs is necessary for efficient braking. The maximum contact is only possible if the surface of the brake discs is even and it latches efficiently onto the friction material on the brake pads. The bake discs may develop unevenness due to wear and tear, physical damage, and corrosion can all interfere with the discs' evenness.

Moisture Contamination

Hydraulic brakes, which most cars use, work on the principle of incompressibility of the brake fluid. When you press the brake pedal, the fluid doesn't compress but transfers the pressure to the brake pads that stop the car. If moisture finds its way into the brake fluid, the water will boil (water has low boiling point than brake fluid). Since water vapor is compressible, some of the braking force you apply will compress the water vapor and reduce braking efficiency.

For more information, contact a brake service near you.