Your brakes are one of the most important safety features in your vehicle and therefore should not take a backseat when it comes to regular car servicing. It’s important to have your local brake specialist ensure that your brakes are functioning properly. A detailed inspection, along with a speedy repair, can be a potential life saver. Knowing the signs of bad car brakes can help you avoid disaster on the road.
1. Car Brakes are squealing or grinding
Brake pads come equipped with a wear sensor that squeals when your pads need replacing. If you can hear a harsh grinding sound, this means that you’ve gone completely through your car brake pads and the metal of the calipers is grinding against the metal of the rotors.
2. Worn brake pads
Brake pads wear thin over time. This means that they become less effective at slowing and stopping your car. To check your car brake pads, look between the wheel spokes to spot the shiny metal rotor inside. When you see it, look around the outer edge where you’ll see the metal caliper. Between the rotor and the caliper, you’ll see the brake pad. If your pads are thinner than 6mm, it’s time to get them changed.
3. The car is pulling to one side or the other
When a car pulls to one side or the other while braking, it’s often misdiagnosed as an alignment issue, but it could indicate a serious problem with the vehicle’s braking system. Either way, you should get your brakes checked by an experienced mechanic as soon as possible.
4. Brake vibration
Also referred to as a shaking or pulsation, brake vibration is often the result of parts of the disc brake’s rotor being thinner than others instead of uniform all around. As you hit the brakes, the pads will be pressed by the calipers against high and low spots that you feel through the pedal or steering wheel. Rust and dirt can cause issues too. The debris can build up on a rotor and cause minor vibrations in the vehicle. In serious cases of warped rotors, the whole vehicle can shake or the steering can pull when you apply the brakes. In some cases, warped rotors can be resurfaced (machined) on a brake lathe to create a smooth rotor finish to stop the shaking – provided there is enough thickness left in the rotor.
5. Brake pedal problems
Spongy brake pedals can be caused by air in the brake line(s). Air can make its way to the brake lines when repairs are done, when fluid is added, or as the car is operating. If your brake pedal goes down to the floor, you could be running low on brake fluid or have a leak in one of the lines. It could also mean your brake booster is failing. It could also be your master cylinder – the main valve that pumps brake fluid into the brake lines.
Keep your car brakes functioning efficiently with Moorooka Automotive
Is your vehicle due for a service? Our team at Moorooka Automotive pride ourselves on being your trusted Brisbane local mechanic for car, 4WD and light truck repairs and services. Based in Moorooka, our highly skilled mechanics have over 60 years’ collective experience in the industry. Find out more about us here or give us a call today on (07) 3892 1153. You can send an email to or complete a contact form online.