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Your brakes... they aren't pretty, they don't get you looks driving down the street, but they are the only thing keeping your freshly waxed ride from meeting the rear bumper of that car in front of you. If you care about your car at all, your brakes should be on the top of your list.
Stop and go traffic, aggressive driving, bigger wheels, added weight in your car, all can make your brakes wear faster than they should, especially the front, which is responsible for 70 percent of the work. When your brakes start to make noise, something is wrong. Normal brake operation should be silent. If your brakes start squeaking, take it to a shop right away, most shops offer a free brake check to let you know what you need. You'll be glad you did it now, because if you wait, it can end up costing you triple for procrastination. When brakes start squeaking, its most likely because the pads are low, glazed, overheated, or loose. All these conditions need to be corrected. If you let the pads wear all the way down to the backing, they will dig into the rotors which will then also need replacement. Another common complaint with brakes is a vibration. This is caused by a warped rotor, which can make your car take longer to stop. Any time your brakes feel spongy, or the pedal drops down suddenly then returns to normal height, take your car for repair immediately, as this is a sign your brakes could fail at any time.

Brakes should be checked at least every six months to see about any unusual wear patterns or leaks. If brakes are wearing more on the right or left side, the calipers or cylinders are binding. This is usually from a lack of lubrication on the sliding parts. If the difference is a great amount, the sticking parts should be replaced. Check hoses and lines for leakage. Also check hoses for chaffing and swelling. Hoses that swell under pressure can cause longer stopping distances, making your brakes less effective. Also check the master cylinder and any proportioning valves for leakage or seeping around the seals. Any wetness around any seals means that part should be replaced. Make sure you choose a shop that will do a complete brake inspection, and inform you of all problems found.
Don't be cheap with your brakes, use quality parts and make sure they are fixed right. Remember they are the only thing stopping you at the next light. Happy Motoring.

Learn more about this author, Sterling Holt- CEO and president absoluteautoworks.com.
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