How to Tell When Your Toyota Needs a Brake Repair

Good brakes give you the security of knowing when you drive that you can control your car’s speed at any time. If your brakes aren’t working correctly, every journey has the potential for danger. Your brakes are very important, so it’s essential to take care of them so they can take care of you. If your brakes are giving you trouble, come and see your friendly Toyota dealer for a brake repair.

Do You Need a Brake Repair at Your Toyota Dealer?

Screeching Brakes

Brake pads are an important part of your braking system. They provide the extra friction resistance to bring your car to a stop. These pads, however, will wear out. When you apply your brakes, fluid is forced into the brake hoses. This fluid exerts hydraulic pressure on the calipers that are attached above your wheel rotors. The calipers will then clamp against the rotors and bring them to a stop.

Each time the brake pads are used, a small amount of the friction material wears off. As a reminder to change your pads, the manufacturers of the pads fit a metal shim into the material. Once it’s time to change the pads, this shim will become visible. When you apply the brakes, this shim will scrape against the rotor and make a hideous screeching sound. When you hear this sound, it’s time to visit us for new pads.

Pulling to One Side

When your car veers towards one side when you apply the brakes, you have a brake problem. Your car should come to a complete stop without moving to either side. This problem occurs due to either a jammed caliper or a blocked or damaged brake hose. Either of these issues means that the brake on the affected side of the car isn’t working.

An air bubble in the hose or a brake fluid leak can prevent the caliper on one side of your car from working. A jammed caliper pin can prevent the caliper from grabbing the rotor. The brake on one side of your car will work correctly, but the brake on the other side won’t work. When you use the brakes, your car will automatically pull towards the side that has a working brake.

Boiling Brake Fluid

This situation occurs most frequently if you have old brake fluid. It will also occur if you’ve had to brake often and sharply over a short distance. When you use the brakes, brake fluid is forced into the hoses under pressure. The fluid flows back to the brake fluid reservoir when you release the brake. The more frequently you use the brakes over a short distance, the hotter the fluid will get.

Hot brake fluid loses its hydraulic properties, and your brakes won’t engage as they should. You’ll smell a burning chemical smell, which means the brake fluid is boiling. It’s vital to pull over and allow your brakes to cool down.

If you have any problem with your brakes, call us ASAP at Cloninger Toyota.

Tags: brake repair, toyota dealer
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