If you don’t trust your vehicle’s brakes, you probably shouldn’t be driving. They are your lifeline, after all, ensuring that you don’t accidentally slam into your garage, another car, or even a person. Although your accelerator allows you to fulfill the purpose of your vehicle (i.e., movement), your brakes allow you to control that movement so that you can proceed safely. Without brakes, no one would step foot in a car, which is why you must take brake repairs and maintenance seriously. Don’t procrastinate, don’t ignore warning signs, and don’t underestimate the importance of your brakes.

Brake Repairs and Maintenance

BRAKE MAINTENANCE

To ensure that your brakes are in good condition, maintain them through proper care and professional assistance.

Your vehicle’s brake system should be inspected every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Some auto shops offer free inspections of brake systems and brake fluids, in which the technician will examine all the major parts of the system: pads and shoes, rotors, calipers, hardware, fluid, etc. Following the inspection, you can feel confident that your vehicle is safe and ready to drive. If any replacements or repairs are needed, your mechanic should explain the problem and provide a written estimate so that you can approve the service before work begins.

We encourage you to stay on top of your vehicle’s brake maintenance. After all, maintenance is much less stressful and costly than a full-blown repair. You can learn to perform the following maintenance tasks at home:

• Inspect the master cylinder for damage
• Inspect the brake lines for damage
• Inspect the cleanliness of the brake fluid
• Inspect the calipers for wear or damage
• Inspect the brake pads for wear
• Inspect the brake rotors for irregular wear or damage

BRAKE REPAIRS

Have your brakes been making a grinding sound? Does your car pulse when you press on the brakes? Are your brakes extremely tight or too loose, making it difficult to smoothly control your vehicle? If you believe for any reason that your brakes are not in tip-top shape, contact your auto technician right away. Other symptoms of faulty brakes include the following:

• Wheels covered in brake dust
• Squealing noises
• Clicking noises
• Grinding noises
• Pulsing movement
• Dashboard brake warning light is on
• Excessive drag during acceleration
• Pulling to one side when you apply the brakes
• Slow-responding or “spongy” brakes
• A generally poor braking performance

Depending on the symptoms, your mechanic may prescribe one of these common repairs: replacing the brake pads and shoes, resurfacing or replacing the rotors and drums, servicing the hydraulics, or repairing a defective anti-lock braking system (ABS).

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Neglecting the maintenance of your braking system or putting off repairs is a costly, impractical, and (most importantly) dangerous mistake. If you need help with brake repairs and maintenance, give ASE-certified Seeburg Service Center a call. We offer a complete and thorough brake inspection, and our experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly mechanics will work hard to diagnose and solve any problems that arise. To get started, please contact us online or call your nearest location: Fayetteville (479-442-4242) or Rogers (479-636-6900). We look forward to hearing from you!