Is Brake Service Necessary
Posted on March 12, 2020
Most people realize that car servicing is a necessary part of life, just like brushing your teeth or doing laundry. Some items are obvious requirements, including oil changes and tire rotations. Brake service, on the other hand, has many car owners wondering if it's necessary at all. At Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we take vehicle maintenance seriously, and want to share our knowledge on this subject.
Your Brakes Matter
As one of the most important systems on your car, you depend greatly on your brakes. Not being able to slow down or stop in time could be the difference between having a close call and getting into an accident.
Your brakes have several moving parts to them. Thanks to the brutal winters in Canada, the various metal parts can rust and otherwise corrode. You can look through the wheels on your car and perform a sort of information brake inspection, confirming that corrosion buildup is present.
Not only does corrosion not look good, it can cause the components in your brakes to stick. Again, this factor can be the difference between the brakes working properly or not. Brakes with limited motion might also wear down quickly, because the pads won't return to their normal position when you're not pushing on the pedal. Not only will the pads and discs wear out sooner, you're running another risk. The heat generated by constant contact between the pads and discs could result in vapor lock, which might render your brakes inoperable for a time.
What Brake Service Involves
Cleaning your brakes doesn't necessarily involve brake repair or brake replacement. Only if the technician uncovers a problem with the system will repair or replacement be part of the process. Hopefully, you're staying up on regular maintenance, and such problems aren't in the picture.
The first part of the brake service involves removing rust and other corrosion. This must be done manually with tools such as brushes and scrapers. Anything from the brake pad slider tracks to the disc edges can accumulate buildup that affects performance. Rust can even accumulate on the wheel hub and where it contacts the rotor.
The technician will also use a special cleaner to remove brake dust, dirt, and any other debris. This method helps ensure nothing that would negatively impact performance is left behind.
Finally, as the technician assembles the brake system components, he will apply a special lubricant. It keeps the moving parts from seizing or sticking, plus guards against rust and other corrosion building up. This lubricant can resist the extreme temperatures generated by your brakes, ensuring it doesn't boil off in a short amount of time.
Peace of Mind
If you have any question about brake service, know that more than anything it will give you peace of mind. Instead of guessing about the state of your brakes, you'll know everything is and will continue to work correctly. After all, the last thing you want is to learn in an emergency that your brakes are having problems.
Visit the service centre at Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for brake service and all your other needs.