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 replacement
is 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 replacement
at 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 1/4th
of 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.
