When Should A Brake Rotor Be Replaced?
Due to the daily use of the vehicle, parts of the brake system, especially the brake pads wear out. On the application of the brake, the calipers of the vehicle push the pad on the rotor, which in turn causes friction and make the car to stop smoothly. The friction causes the brake pads to wear down. If the size of the brake pad reduces by quarter of an inch due to wear and tear, it should be replaced. The most frequently used method to determine the thickness of brake pad is to look through the wheel space. Another way to determine the condition of the brake rotors is to see if there is a high-pitched sound heard when the brake is applied. The other methods that can be used are:
# 1. Growling Or Grinding
This is a metallic sound that comes out of the vehicle, which in turn indicates that the brake pads are worn out and are scratching the brake rotors.
# 2. Vibration
This is a kind of pulsation that is experienced when the driver applies the brake. If this pulsation is felt in the steering wheel or the pedal, it means that the vibration is occurring in the front brakes. And, if in the seat, it means that the vibration is occurring in the rear brakes.
# 3. Pulling
If the vehicle moves to one side on the application of a brake, it means that the brake has worn out unevenly or some impure particles has entered the brake fluid.
# 4. Fading
This is a phenomenon where the sinking or non-responsive effect is experienced. This is because there might be a leak in the brake system.
Since there is specific thickness to be maintained for brake rotors, the car owner has to ensure that the problem is detected early so that the mechanic is able to remove the brake rotors from the surface that is damaged. This is important to ensure that the thickness of the rotors is not reduced. If the warning signs are ignored, the brake rotors are damaged to an extent that compromises the overall effectiveness of the brake system.
Tips For Brake Rotor Replacement
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| Brake Rotor |
After reading the above warning signs, it shows that brake rotors need to be replaced even when there is a slight chance of wear and tear. Some of the tips for the replacement of brake rotors are:
# 1. Wearing Protective Gloves
Before starting the process of replacement of brake rotors, it is very important for the individual to wear protective gloves. Since vehicle maintenance is a very messy job, the repair technician or the user would like to protect their hands from the grime and grease.
# 2. Removing The Calipers
The calipers of the brakes are usually held in position with the help of two or three bolts, which are in turn threaded to the rear side of the caliper. To get to these bolts the service men might require a ratchet that has an extension. The bolts usually contain hex heads, or Allen-heads.
# 3. Removing The Brake rotors
Sometimes this process of removing the brake rotors is very simple. If the brake rotors have not been replaced for a long time, it is probably due to the corrosion, dirt, and rust that is present in the wheel hub and may be difficult to be removed. A hammer or a wooden tool might be required to bring out the brake rotors.
While replacing brake rotors it is very important for the mechanics to check the bearings and grease seals. If these parts are damaged, they need to be replaced in order to avoid short-term problems with the cars.
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