Is It Time For A Brake Service?

Posted on: 28 May 2020

Brakes are one of the most important safety features of your car. Without them, you can't slow or halt the vehicle safely. While properly functioning brakes are essential for safe car operation, brake failure can occur at any time.

Faulty brakes can cause an accident that may lead to expensive car damage and even leave you and other road users with serious injuries. Many factors can trigger brake malfunction. Read on to find out a few common culprits behind this problem.

Poor Brake Lubrication

Lubrication is required at every point in the brake system where parts rotate or slide. Brakes have hardware and internal moving components that need to be properly lubricated to keep the entire brake system working smoothly.

Failure to keep the system well-lubed can accelerate the wear of these components. This may arise when brake fluid leaks are left unattended for a long time or when the incorrect lubricants are used on the system.

To prevent brake failures arising from poor lubrication, you should make keep an eye out for brake fluid leaks. All leaks should be sealed and the brake fluid replenished before the brakes start running dry. Brake lubricant for hardware should be applied on a regular basis to keep the entire system healthy and working well. 

Rust on Brake Parts

Rust is an archenemy of most metallic components of your car. It is the unsightly, reddish-brown patch that can be found on metal surfaces that have been left exposed to oxygen and moisture. While a rust-proofing coating is often applied to metal components that are susceptible to rust damage, the coating can wear off over time, leaving the substrate metal exposed to the elements. 

Many brake parts, including calipers, rotors, discs, and cables are made of metal material, meaning that your brake system is highly susceptible to rust. When these parts catch rust, they may affect the overall performance of your brakes. When the brake disc gets rusty, for example, your brake system won't work smoothly and it may make lots of noise and vibration when you press down the brake pedal. Because rusting is an irreversible process, all rusty parts have to be replaced.

Rust-proofing your car can help slow the degradation of your vehicle, including the brake lines, which are highly susceptible to rust attacks.

If you experience any problems with your brakes, have them checked and repaired immediately. Timely brake repair is essential to extend the lifespan of your brakes.

For help with your European car, contact a European car mechanic.