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Expert Tips for Identifying Failing Brakes
No one wants to risk it all with brakes that threaten to fail, but how will you know when this critical system is in distress? In this blog post, Jim Krueger Automotive Repair’s brake specialists take a close look at the common symptoms of automotive brake failure so you can catch them before they become a real roadblock. From strange noises to a spongy brake pedal, we’ll break down the signs that your brakes might be signaling “SOS.”
Don’t let a minor brake issue turn into a major headache. Pay attention to your vehicle’s cues so you can cruise down the road with confidence.
Why Is it Important to Recognize Issues That Can Cause Brake Failure?
Staying alert to the early warning signs of brake failure helps ensure you’re driving a safe, reliable vehicle. Faulty brakes don’t just put you at risk—they also endanger your passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. A small brake problem—like worn pads or low fluid—can quickly escalate into complete brake failure, making it harder to stop your vehicle in time.
Now that you know the risks of overlooking braking hiccups, let’s review some of the most common brake problems you should know.
Common Brake Problems
This section discusses the most common brake problems and how to identify them, from brakes that screech and squeal to problems with a squishy pedal to figuring out why you need to give yourself more time to come to a complete stop.
Read on to find out what’s causing your braking issue. We’ll start by examining all the symptoms you might be experiencing, beginning with screeching and grinding noises.
Unusual Noises While Braking
Screeching and grinding brakes are a pretty clear sign that something’s amiss. Screeching usually boils down to worn brake pads or rotors, which can create a high-pitched squeal as they rub against each other. Grinding often indicates metal-on-metal contact, suggesting that your brake pads have worn down to the point where they’re touching your metal rotors.
These noises are annoying, but they’re also a sign of a safety hazard, letting you know to expect a significant reduction in your vehicle’s braking performance. That’s not all that can affect your ability to come to a stop as expected. In the next section, we’ll tell you more about what’s behind a brake pedal that vibrates or shakes.
Vibrations or Shaking When You Hit Your Brakes
Feeling vibrations or shaking when you hit your brakes is like a jolt of unease. This sensation often indicates that your brake rotors are warped, causing them to pulsate or vibrate as they come into contact with your brake pads. Warped rotors can be caused by overheating (from heavy braking or prolonged use), uneven wear, or impact damage. These vibrations can compromise braking performance and create a dangerous driving situation.
Vibrations can be alarming, but there’s something that’s even more cause for concern. Next, we examine what causes unresponsive brakes, a soft pedal, and increased stopping distances.
Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal and Longer Stopping Distances
A spongy brake pedal feels a bit like stepping on a deflated balloon. It’s soft and squishy, offering less resistance than a firm, responsive pedal. This sensation is usually caused by air in your brake lines or worn-out brake pads. When air is present, it can compress and reduce the pressure you apply to your brakes, making it harder to stop.
Similarly, worn brake pads may not provide the same level of friction, resulting in a longer stopping distance and a softer pedal feel.
Car Pulling to One Side While Braking
When your car starts pulling to one side while driving, it can feel like your steering wheel is being tugged in one direction, forcing you to constantly adjust just to keep your vehicle straight. It’s an unsettling experience, especially if you’re driving at higher speeds or trying to stop. This issue is often a sign that something is off with your braking system.
The most common cause is uneven brake pad wear or a sticking brake caliper, which causes one side of your car to brake more forcefully than the other. Other possible causes include misaligned wheels or uneven tire pressure, but if the pulling occurs when you brake, it’s almost always a brake-related issue that requires immediate attention.
Brake Warning Lights on Your Dashboard
A brake warning light on your dashboard usually looks like a red or yellow circle with an exclamation point or the word “BRAKE” in bold letters. This light is your vehicle’s way of telling you something is wrong with your braking system. It could be as simple as leaving your parking brake on, or it could point to more serious issues like low brake fluid, worn brake pads, or a malfunctioning sensor.
When the light comes on while you’re driving, pull over safely and check whether your parking brake is still on. If it isn’t, you should inspect your brake fluid level next—if it’s low, top it off, but be sure to have your system checked by a mechanic, as leaks could be the underlying problem. If your brake light remains on, have your brakes inspected as soon as possible to prevent potential failure.
What Causes Bad Brakes?
Your brakes have a lot of moving parts. Now that you know how to identify the problem you’re experiencing when you drive, it’s time to go over what the root cause of these issues could be. In the next section, we examine what components of your braking system might be responsible for causing your bad brakes.
Worn Brake Pads
When you apply your brakes, your pads create the friction to slow down and stop your car by pressing against the brake rotors. Over time, this constant friction causes your brake pads to wear down, reducing their effectiveness. When brake pads become too thin, they can’t generate enough friction to stop your car as quickly, leading to longer stopping distances and potential safety hazards.
Worn pads also put extra stress on other brake components, like rotors, which can lead to early rotor deterioration. You should inspect your brake pads biannually or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles and replace them when they reach around 1/8th of an inch in thickness or sooner if you notice signs of wear like squealing or reduced braking power.
Damaged Rotors or Drums
Rotors are characteristic of disc brake systems, while drums are part of drum brake setups. When you apply your brakes, brake pads or shoes press against the surface of your rotors or drums, generating the friction you need to slow your wheels. When these components become damaged—often due to excessive heat, wear, or corrosion—their surfaces can warp or become uneven. This can lead to reduced braking efficiency, vibrations when braking, and longer stopping distances.
Damaged rotors or drums also wear down your brake pads faster. That’s why it’s important to get them checked out and repaired or replaced whenever you suspect there’s a problem.
Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid passes on the force from your foot on your pedal to the brake components that slow your vehicle. It operates under high pressure, ensuring your brakes respond quickly and efficiently. When brake fluid leaks, the system loses pressure, which makes your pedal feel like it’s gone soft and spongey, and causes and causes a delayed response when you try to stop.
In severe cases, a significant loss of brake fluid can cause total brake failure, making driving dangerous. Leaks can occur because of damaged brake lines, worn seals, or corrosion and should be addressed immediately to avoid compromising your safety and the effectiveness of your brakes.
Faulty Brake Calipers
Calipers are part of disc braking systems that squeeze brake pads against rotors and reduce driving speed. When you depress your brake pedal, hydraulic pressure forces your calipers to clamp down on your rotor and slow your vehicle down. When your calipers become faulty—due to corrosion, debris, or wear—they can stick or fail to engage correctly. This can cause uneven braking, where one of your wheels brakes more forcefully than the other, leading to your car pulling to one side.
Addressing these issues early is the best way to prevent further damage to your braking system, so when you identify a problem, you won’t want to put off scheduling a maintenance inspection.
Don’t Delay Brake Maintenance
Staying vigilant about your brake system’s health will help you recognize the symptoms of bad brakes sooner rather than later. Regular brake maintenance keeps you and your passengers safe and extends your vehicle’s life by preventing wear on other components. Don’t wait for your brakes to fail—take action at the first sign of trouble and ensure your vehicle remains reliable and road-ready.
Do you need a reliable brake service expert to diagnose and solve your braking problems? Jim Krueger Automotive Repair’s mechanics are friendly technicians who believe in going the extra mile to keep you safe behind your wheel.
Call us at (610) 779-9733 to tell us more about your brake troubles, and we’ll tell you more about what makes us the right choice for the job.
