Car Parts Plus

Overview Of A Car Brake Job

Your car’s brakes will wear out over time. When a brake system is new, the pads rub against the rotors, creating friction and slowing your car. Eventually, the pads and linings grow thin. If you allow them to wear down completely, the rotor can begin grinding. When that happens, it can cause damage to the other components that make up your brake system. And repairing such damage can be expensive.

You’ll also need to keep your rotors in good condition. If your car uses disc brakes, a caliper will clench onto the rotor when you press the brake pedal down. Over time, this can lead to scoring on the rotor. A mechanic will need to smooth it out by scraping off some of the metal.

Below, you’ll learn how your driving habits will affect how often you’ll need to have a brake job performed on your car. I’ll also describe some of the details involved in the procedure.

Driving Habits Matter

There’s no mileage point at which you need to have your brakes worked on. It depends largely on how you drive your car. Remember, a brake job is necessary when the parts become worn. The more you use your brakes, the more quickly they’ll wear down.

For example, if you do most of your driving on the freeway, you likely won’t be using your brakes very often (unless you’re stuck in heavy traffic). In that case, the linings on your brakes might last nearly 80,000 miles. On the other hand, if you drive mostly on city streets, you’re probably using your brakes more frequently. And of course, if you have a habit of riding your brakes, they’ll wear down even more quickly. Asking your mechanic to check them after 30,000 miles may be a good idea.

What Does A Brake Job Involve?

The simplest brake jobs only involve replacing the front pads. However, a complete brake job entails much more. The front pads, rear shoes, and rotor are replaced. Hardware, springs, calipers, and even the master cylinder may be replaced while the wheel cylinder may be rebuilt. Bearings and seals are examined, along with brake hoses, lines, and cables. And the brake fluid is drained before being replaced. After the entire job has been completed, the car is usually taken for a test drive to ensure the integrity of the entire brake system.

A lot of drivers try to save money by taking advantage of brake specials that only involve replacing the front pads. While that may be appropriate occasionally, your car will eventually need to have other the components rebuilt or replaced. It will cost more and take more time, but a properly-working brake system is infinitely safer.

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