Car Brakes

A screeching noise indicates that your brake pads are wearing away and are scraping against your vehicle’s wear indicators. The wear indicators are there to let you know when there’s a problem, so, when you hear a screeching noise, don’t ignore it. Book your car in for a service before the problem deteriorates.

You will know the problem has become worse when you hear a squeaky noise – this is the sound of your brake pads rubbing against rust. You may also hear a grinding noise, which will damage the rotors and cause the brakes to stick. At this point, your brake pads are likely beyond repair, making your vehicle dangerous to drive.

It’s likely that one of your vehicle’s brake pads has worn away at a faster rate than the other, causing your car to pull to one side when braking. If this happens, speak to a professional as it may also be a symptom of uneven tyre pressure or a faulty wheel bearing.

One of the best checks you can perform on your vehicle is inspecting the thickness of your brake pads through the spokes of your car wheel. If the thickness is less than a quarter of an inch, you should replace your brake pads.

Vibrations when braking usually indicate misalignment of your vehicle or warped rotors. Bringing your car to a stop takes longer than it used to. This is due to applying the brakes over a long distance without bringing the car to a complete stop.

Brake fluid may develop under the side of your parked car. If you see this, come to MBS Exeter or give us a ring and we’ll advise on the next steps.