United Tire and Service News

There is no other system more important for your car than your brake system. Having good quality brakes is essential for your safety and everyone else on the road, including pedestrians. Are you aware of the quality condition of your brakes? When was the last time they were inspected by a technician? Our team can help you get to the bottom of why your car pulls when you brake.

 

The most effective way to ensure that your brake system remains in peak condition and to safeguard against brake failure is to have a brake inspection once a 

year. You may think that it's a waste of time or money, but no price or time is not worth your safety, your passenger's safety, and others on the road. We certainly understand that your time and money are valuable, so follow our recommendation. The most convenient and economical way to have a brake inspection is when having routine maintenance completed, such as tire rotations, oil changes, or tire replacements. Have you tried our Drop N' Go service?

 

One of the issues that a brake inspection can detect is brake calipers sticking, which may be a big part of why you feel a pulling when you brake. There are symptoms that you can observe to know if your brake calipers are sticking. But, with a periodic brake inspection, a technician can determine if there are hot spots in the brake rotor or if a leak is coming from the brake line. Those are two clear indicators of brake calipers sticking.

 

Related: How to Extend the Life of Your Brakes

 

There are typically two brake calipers on the front wheels unless you have a four-disk brake system. Primarily, they stick because of the piston's inability to consistently flow back and forth the way it should. The role of the piston, which is inside the brake caliper, is to push hydraulic fluid into the brake system. That is vital for the brake pads to make contact with your brake rotors. It helps your car come to a complete stop. When the caliper sticks, it is usually caused by a leak of brake fluid from the brake hose, or the rubber cushion that protects the piston becomes worn or tears. Without the proper amount of hydraulic fluid, the piston is essentially useless. That can happen for several reasons, but it's usually just normal wear and tear, or the brake caliper is defective.  

 

 

You can identify the symptoms while driving to determine if your brake calipers are sticking. The first thing to observe is how your car reacts when applying the brake pedal. Does your car pull to one side? Do you hear any grinding sounds as the brakes are engaged? Those are symptoms that most commonly indicate a brake caliper is sticking. Although it can happen in pairs, most often, it is one brake caliper that sticks. However, even if it is determined that only one caliper is the culprit, a brake caliper replacement for both sides of the axle is recommended. The reason is that the hydraulic fluid and brake friction need to be equal on both sides of the drive axle. If both brake calipers are not replaced, you may end up with the same problem on the reverse side.

 

Other symptoms include:

 

 

With more cars being made with driver-assist technologies, it's easy to get used to these systems doing everything and being less observant than we used to be. But knowing what to look for certainly helps and empowers you to react. Timing is everything for your safety and reducing the chances of other out-of-pocket expenses.

 

For more information about this topic, reach out to us. Use our online scheduler to make an appointment for brake repairs or a brake inspection. And don't forget, United Tire & Service has 13 independent locations for your convenience.