Brake checks Coventry

Your brakes are the most important system on your car so it is worth having a little knowledge of the key issues.

Your brake pads will last on average around c30,000 miles. Front brakes on FWD vehicles usually take about 75% of the braking effort so will usually wear out first. Brake discs should be reviewed at c60,000 miles for wear and corrosion and replaced together with the pads when due.

Most braking systems have electrical wear sensors to determine pad wear but others have mechanical devices designed to make a noise when the pad wear limit is reached.

Always be cautious when you hear unusual brake noises or the brakes do not feel as good. 

Brake pads can seize in their carrier resulting in brake binding and excess heat. Brake discs may then warp resulting in brake judder at higher speeds.

Small hydraulic brake fluid leaks may not always be immediately felt but will result in poorer brake efficiency and the eventual total loss of braking.

Rear drum brakes are serviced on major services where the shoes are cleaned and reset to optimise the braking effort and the handbrake efficiency.

Brakes will always sound noisier when the car is left stationary for any period of time but this will clear after a few braking sessions. Prolonged brake noises must always be dealt with.