What most people don’t realize is that owning an automobile is a long term investment. It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle our purchase as long as you pledge to keep your vehicle in good working condition. This includes regular maintenance, replacing faulty parts at the earliest and keeping track of the overall condition of the vehicle. Brake rotors replacementis one such often overlooked feature that most vehicle owner’s fall trap to. Brakes are among the most important safety features of a vehicle and they should be serviced and replaced as per the manufacturer’s instructions in order to ensure optimal stopping power for your vehicle.
Has your rotor run its life?
The rotor is the eternal part of the braking system. It is shaped like a slat bottomed bowl; it houses the brake shoes, spring and the caliper system within it. When you apply the brakes, the brake shoes expand and clasp the Rotors, which in turn slow down the vehicle. Both the rotors and the Brake Pads are designed to evenly dissipate heat generated during the braking action. Braking action is also quite abrasive, and the friction will wear out the brake pads and the rotors eventually, even with normal use of brakes.
Thus it is important to have brake rotors replacementat high priority, especially during your timely maintenance works. This will help keep your vehicle in optimal drivable condition which will keep you extra safe when you need to brake unexpectedly while on the move. Remember, failure to replace faulty brakes at the earliest can prove costly in more ways than one. It will not only decrease your vehicle’s stopping power- which can result in fatal accidents, but will also wear out your wheels and affect the suspensions as well. Thus you will be putting your vehicle and its occupants/ cargo in grave danger when you opt to drive around with a spent braking system in place.
Detecting bad rotors
Being able to look for and accurately identify how bad the rotors are is an essential skill for any vehicle owner. As a driver, you will be taking out the vehicle on a regular basis and hence it will become difficult for you to find when the brake pads and rotors have gone beyond safe values. Brake pads need to be replaced even if they wear out even 1/4thof an inch. For this very reason, brake manufacturers incorporate a tiny metal plate beneath the braking abrasive of the brake pads. As the brake pad material erodes with time, this metal shim makes a high pitched sound when it comes in contact with the brake rotors, thus indicating that it is time to replace your brakes.
Another way to find out if your brakes are wearing is by taking your vehicle out on an empty road for a test drive. Once you get up to 30mph, brake heavily. A good set of brakes should hold well and not lead to vibrations or squealing of tires during this test. Else, it is time to replace your brakes at the earliest.
Why you need to replace brake pads regularly
Replacing your brakes at regular intervals before your brakes are pushed to the ultimate limit is essential to avoid bigger damages to your braking unit. Faulty brake rotors can severely hamper how the brake pads and other associated units operate. Ignoring the symptoms that brake pads presents can lead to bigger mechanical problems that might get out of hand faster than you’d expect.
Choosing the right rotors
In some cases, you might not always find it convenient to replace your rotors even though it has been worn out. Most people resort to replacing their rotors with cheaper ones or they may even forgo replacing rotors in favor of just the brake pads, hoping that something is better than nothing. This however, is only a temporary relief. In fact, this can actually be more detrimental to your vehicle’s safety in the long run.
Since brake pads rely on friction for optimal performance, substandard or damaged brake rotors that use inferior material in manufacturing will only wear out faster, thus putting your vehicle at a safety risk. Damaged rotors do not offer the necessary stopping power for your vehicle, even with brand new or quality brake pads.
When brakes are applied, the brake pads expand to meet the inner walls of the rotors. Logic dictates that the brake pads come in contact with the closest surface of the brake rotors. Improper contact between the brake rotors and the brake pads will also increase the heat generated during the braking action, which will further foster the wearing of your braking system. Thus, any defect in the rotors will misshapen the rotors and the brake pads will not have enough surface area contact, which will not only speed up wearing of the brake pads but will also reduce your braking action.
How to choose the right brake rotors
If you are unsure of what you need to buy then your best bet would be to hire the services of an expert. Your local mechanic should be of service when choosing the right brake parts. He will dismantle your brake set up and will assess the specific component requirement. If you own an older model of braking system, then your mechanic will be able to find a suitable replacement that offers the same or better quality braking.
When looking for a brake rotors replacement, it is important to adhere to the specifications provided by the vehicle manufacturers. You may also opt for a higher grade rotor as well, as long as it is a snug fit for your vehicle. Choosing an apt set of brake pads and rotors will help keep your vehicle in good working condition while increasing the safety levels on the road. Even after replacing your brake rotors and pads you should always take care of all kinds of technical maintenance in order to keep your brakes in good working order.
So, are you ready to deploy these tips and tricks to keep your automobile in good order? You may want to get in touch with professional technicians to get the job underway; contact one today.
This post first appeared on Semi-metallic Brake Pads – The New Age Replacement Components!, please read the originial post: here
