Brakes making noise - replacement

You might wonder:

How do you know if I need new brake rotors?

When do you replace brake rotors?

How do you tell if the front or rear brakes are bad?

What are the symptoms of bad brake rotors?

Signs of brake problems often fall into one of two categories for Rochester, MN vehicles: making noise when the brake pedal is depressed or feeling a pulsation in the brake pedal. Let's start with the noise.

Most brake pads have an audible brake wear indicator—this is a small piece of metal that rubs on your brake rotor when the brake pads are worn to the point they should be replaced. The noise is a chirp or soft squeal. This noise gives Rochester drivers enough warning to get their brakes serviced while there is still enough brake pad left to enable you to stop safely.

Rochester drivers who ignore the noise—whether a squeal or chirp, will find that the sound progresses to a grinding noise. Grinding brakes are more serious. Grinding brakes mean that the friction material on your brake pad is worn away and metal parts of the brakes are grinding against the rotor when you press on the brakes. Obviously, this metal-on-metal grinding means that your brakes aren't going to be able to stop your vehicle very well. It also means that your rotor is being damaged causing the need to be resurfaced or even replaced.

Pedal pulsation is another noticeable problem. When your rotor is not in perfect alignment, it pushes against the brake pads unevenly as you apply the brakes. There could be a number of reasons for this. The rotor and wheel hub may not be mating well, causing the rotor to be spinning out of vertical alignment. This misalignment can be caused by either the rotor or the hub, or a combination of the two. If this persists, the rotor may even start to wear unevenly to the point that its thickness varies, causing an even more noticeable pulsation. This uneven mating of the brake pad and the rotor when braking means less contact and it will reduce braking power and safe braking.

Either unusual brake noise or pedal pulsation are signs for Rochester residents that there are brake problems. If you are having any of these symptoms, you must take them seriously. Your braking system is key to your safety, the safety of your family and the safety of other motorists. Our team at Babcock Auto Care in Rochester can determine the cause of the misalignment and remedy the problem. Our Service Advisors will explain to you our digital brake inspection process then our experienced mechanics will thoroughly assess your entire braking system – pads, rotors, calipers, brake fluid, and brake lines. Our Service Advisors will then educate you on the specific components of your braking system that need to be addressed for brake repair in Rochester, MN.

Perhaps you are interested in maintaining your braking system rather than fixing it after there are safety issues. This is ideal. Regular brake inspections will enable you to stay apprised on your brake system’s health so that you can take action before your brakes become a safety concern.

Babcock Auto Care is here to help! Take a break for a brake inspection today!