Tackling Your First Brake Job – DIY Vs. Garage Repairs

Tackling Your First Brake Job – DIY Vs. Garage Repairs

Whats that Noise?!

Hearing Sounds under your car, it might be time for a new brake job! It starts in the usual way, what’s that sound coming from the car every time I hit the brakes? If you are hearing a nasty screech when you press the brakes in your car or truck? Does it sound like metal scrapping across a chalkboard every time you are trying to slow down? Well, it may be time to change your brakes and sometime even your entire brake system if it is an older vehicle.

 

Brake Job

 

Here’s the How To…

 

 

How Does A Brake System Work?

A car’s brake system is one of the most important components in your driving safety, as it’s the only thing keeping you from crashing into that bus full of school kids on your last minute run to the sporting store. It’s a fairly simple hydraulic system that allows the force applied at the pedal to be translated to clamping force at the wheel.

 

Here’s a video explanation…

 

 

 

How Do I Know If I Need To Change My Brakes?

Top 4 Signs

 

Reduced responsiveness or fading. If your brakes are not as responsive as they should be or if the pedal “sinks” toward the floor, this could be an indication of a leak in the braking system. It could be an air leak (in the brake hose) or a brake fluid leak. One telltale sign of a brake fluid leak is the presence of a small puddle of fluid when the car is parked. Brake fluid looks similar to fresh motor oil, but with a less “slimy” texture.

Pulling. If your vehicle “pulls” to one side while braking, it may be a sign that the brake linings are wearing unevenly or that there is foreign matter in the brake fluid. Your vehicle may need a brake adjustment or to have the fluid drained and replaced.

Grinding or growling. This loud metallic sound means that you have worn down the pads completely, most likely beyond replacement. The grinding or growling noise is caused by the two pieces of metal (the disc and the caliper) rubbing together. This can “score,” or scratch your rotors, creating an uneven surface. If this happens, do not be surprised if your mechanic tells you that the rotors need to be “turned” (a process that evens out the rotor surface), or even replaced.

Vibration. A vibration or pulsating brake pedal is often a symptom of warped rotors (but can also indicate that your vehicle is out of alignment). The vibration can feel similar to the feedback in the brake pedal during a panic stop in a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes.

 

Attempting to Do the Repair Yourself Vs. Hiring a Garage

Keeping your car in running order requires some do-it-yourself tasks and maintenance that might seem like regular upkeep, but knowing when to have a qualified auto repair mechanic look at your car can save thousands of dollars later, and sometimes even people’s lives. If you’ve ignored potential do-it-yourself problems by not using the proper tools of technology available to professional garages.

 

Now the safety of others and your family is something to think about, but some DIY’ers are not even around to tell their story. Safety is a big factor in DIY car repairs, and is better left to the professional mechanic’s shop to worry about, unless you have had some proper vechicle repair training. Blocking up the wheels while trying to work under the car is an invitation to disaster; many people have been crushed to death because the car slipped and fell on them while they were on the ground, working underneath an unstable homemade hoist.

 

Brake System

 

Don’t get us wrong if you feel up to the brake job repair here is a good walk-through, and know that you have the confidence and skill set to do car repairs, you can source all of your parts directly online from our parts catalog. Find all the Brake Pads & Routers you would need to do any repair for any make or model of vehicle by clicking the link.

 

If you are going to bring in the car to a professional garage, do some research… ask around and check both online reviews and social media profiles for some auto repair shops that you feel are reputable and have a great track record for customer satisfaction.

 

Ultimatley you are going to want the same results no matter if you do the brake job yourself or hire a garage to do the repair and that is ensure the safety of your car and family for the long haul. Depending on the complexity of the job too, as most DIYer’s are comfortable changing some brake pads, but doing a complete brake lines replacement might not be something that they are quite comfortable with yet.

 

Conclusion:

DT Auto and CARQUEST have been helping both Garages and Do-it-Yourselfer’s get the best Auto Parts Online and ensure both customer satisfaction as well quality parts with warranties, so you know your job is done the first time you finish it.