BRAKE
REPAIR
One of the main functions that our car has are the brakes. The brakes are that fundamental mechanism that prevents us from moving forward and stopping in daily driving and we must pay attention to the first strange sensations and take our safety into account; especially if we are heading through places that are difficult to navigate, downhill, wet floors and rocky places. Therefore, taking care of and carrying out a perfect brake repair is a priority.
It is necessary to speak with the driver to know the sensory details that are perceived and to be able to give a diagnosis about what needs to be repaired.
However, a complete review of the braking system will tell us where to act to make a repair correctly, taking into account the review of:
Review of the pills. You must check that bolts, staples and supports are in good condition and well installed. Additionally, you should check if the friction material is well adhered to the support, without cracks or abnormal wear. The usual thing is to replace them when there are 3 millimeters of usable pad left.
Brake fluid check. Check that the level is adequate and that the tank is clean. Of course, check for fluid leaks. This can be indicated to us if there is moisture near the connections or the clamping nut. Whenever liquid needs to be refilled, consult the manufacturer's instructions, especially regarding quality.
Master cylinder check. Also known as brake master cylinder. Check that the ventilation holes in the cylinder tank cover are clean and open.
Check hoses and connections. Check that there are no leaks. Pay attention to possible tears or cracks in the sleeves, as well as scratches near terminals or fittings.
Brake noise or difficulty braking could be a sign of worn pads or other brake issues, and should be addressed immediately as worn pads have less stopping power and can cause unsafe driving conditions. In addition, Waiting too long to replace your brakes can result in damaged rotors.
Knowing everything that needs to be explored is the first step towards a perfect brake repair. The following is to know the most frequent breakdowns that you may face and their solutions:
Circuit leaks. Check it completely, try to repair the leak and, if not possible, replace the defective part.
Air in the system. The entire system must be purged.
Low fluid level or contaminated fluid. Fill with liquid of the same quality, preferably the one recommended by the manufacturer. If it has been refilled with inappropriate fluid, clean the system with methyl alcohol and then refill with the appropriate fluid.
Worn pads or discs. They may be either worn or stained with grease or brake fluid. In the case of wear, replacement is the most recommended. If they are stained it means there is a leak, so find it first and repair it. Then clean the stained areas. It leaves the pieces perfect, without oily residue, so there is no need to wipe with a cloth to clean later.
Failures in the master cylinder. The rubber may be swollen, so dust covers and seals would have to be replaced, as well as the system cleaned, and then refilled with liquid.
Stuck caliper piston. The piston chamber is cleaned, lubricated and the seal is replaced. It may also be that it does not reverse correctly, so you should repair the caliper. If the pads rub against such a caliper, the pad supports must be lubricated.
