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Brakes are one of the most important components in your car. If your brakes are in good condition, you’re taking a risk each time you get behind the wheel. As your Chrysler dealer, we’d like you to know some of the signs that you may need a brake repair soon.
Screeching Brakes
Any unusual noises from your car are worrying, and an awful screeching noise when you mash the brakes is the worst. When you apply the brakes, brake fluid is forced into the brake hoses. This fluid is under pressure, and it exerts a hydraulic force on the brake calipers. These calipers are attached above your wheel rotors. The force from the fluid squeezes the calipers against the rotors and stops your wheels.
The calipers have brake pads with a friction material covering attached to them. This material wears down a little each time you use your brakes. As a warning that your pads need to be changed, the manufacturers insert a metal shim into each pad. When the pad has reached the level that it needs to be changed, this metal shim will scrape against the rotor. This terrible screeching means it’s time to change those pads.
Brake Fluid Leak
Brake fluid, as we’ve seen, is essential for your braking system to operate effectively. Without it, there would be no hydraulic pressure to close the calipers, and your brakes wouldn’t engage. Brake fluid is kept in the brake fluid reservoir near the master brake cylinder. If this fluid starts leaking out, your brakes will be in serious trouble.
Fluid can leak from the metal brake lines, the rubber brake hoses, and the reservoir itself. The rubber hoses will become less flexible with age, and they can start to crack. The brake lines are exposed to water splashing up from the ground, and this can cause rust. Finally, the reservoir can leak fluid from a damaged seal or worn connection. A puddle of slightly yellow cooking oil-like liquid on the ground means there’s a fluid leak.
Clunking Sounds
Another disturbing sound that can signal a brake problem is a clunking noise from underneath your car. While several different parts of your car can go clunk when they have problems, two possibilities are a loosening in part of your brake system or damaged parts of your suspension. Your braking system is held together by nuts and bolts. If one or more of the bolts have sheared off or loosened, they make a noise as you drive.
Damaged suspension components can also make a noise. A broken tie rod, a worn ball joint, or even a damaged wheel bearing will all make worrying sounds. Not attending to these sounds will cause more damage. Our technicians will investigate and fix the cause of the problem.
If you’re having a brake problem, call us right away at Price Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Our highly-trained technicians can fix any brake problem quickly and efficiently.
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