3 Signs Your Ford Needs a Brake Repair

Vibrations When You Brake

When you apply the brakes, hydraulic pressure from the brake fluid forces the brake calipers to close against the wheel rotors. The pads inside the calipers generate friction against the rotors, which stops your car. The rotors are the flat smooth discs attached behind your wheels. Their flat surfaces provide the most efficient surface for braking.

The friction material is attached to the pads by a strong adhesive. When your brakes heat up, some of this adhesive can liquify. Liquified adhesive can smear across the rotor surface, where it dries quickly in the heat. The dried adhesive, however, will produce uneven sections on the rotor. If the brake calipers clamp against these uneven sections, you’ll feel vibrations.

Screeching and Grinding

Your brake pads slowly wear down each time you use the brakes. The pad manufacturers build a reminder into each pad in the shape of a metal spike. This spike will scratch against the rotor, and its loud screeching noise shows it’s time to change your pads.

If you don’t replace your ads when they start to screech, the friction material will continue to wear. When the material has worn off, the next time you use your brakes the bare metal of the pads will be forced against the rotors. This contact produces loud grinding noises as the brake pads cut into and damage the rotor’s surface. Your pads will need to be replaced immediately to prevent further damage.

Soft Brakes

Your braking system is highly-pressurized. When you step on the brakes, you’ll immediately feel resistance from the fluid. This resistance is normal and a sign that your brakes are working well. If you receive little resistance from the pedal, this is a sign that you have a brake problem.

The lack of resistance means that your brakes don’t have the level of pressure they should have. The pressure could be low due to a brake fluid leak or a blockage in the braking system. Our technicians will examine your brakes and fix the cause of the problem.

If you’re experiencing brake problems, Schedule a Service Appointment ASAP with us at Coughlin Ford of Circleville or give us a call at 740-571-4378. Our expert technicians will fix the problem and you’ll be driving safely on the road again in no time. If you’re interested in looking at the new model year Ford vehicles we have available on our lot, then head to our New Inventory!

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