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It’s important to inspect your brakes regularly and look for these signs of trouble:
Muddy brown colored brake fluid means it is old and has
absorbed water. It needs to be changed, especially if the
brake light is on.
If you hear a high-pitch squealing or scraping noise when
braking, have your brakes inspected as soon as possible.
If you hear a grinding metal sound when applying the brakes,
you could be damaging the rotors and drums and definitely need
to have your brakes checked immediately!
A brake pedal that feels soft or mushy when pumping the brake
may indicate that there is a problem with the brake
hydraulics. A pedal that sinks all the way to the floor may
indicate a brake master cylinder problem. Either one is an
IMMEDIATE inspection issue!
If your car pulls to the side or if the brakes pulse when
braking, you could have warped brake rotors and/or drums or
problems with the hydraulic system.
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Page on: Brake
Repair, Service & Maintenance
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BRAKES & BRAKE REPAIR
We want our customers at Mr. Nobody Tire in Gastonia NC to have the opportunity to feel
comfortable in their car or light truck. You can leave the repairs and services to
our professional mechanics, but please don't hesitate to ask us questions about why
a service is needed or how it occurred. We will
be happy to speak with you. Here is some valuable information on brake
issues and corrective services:
Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement
Brake pad problems can usually be identified by squealing brakes. If your
brake pads deteriorate completely, you'll hear a grinding metal-on-metal
sound when braking, meaning that it's too late and you're ruining your
rotors or drums! Those with knowledge of auto repair may be able to fix
this at home, but you should always see an auto repair professional
immediately if you have brake problems.
Resurface Rotors
In a disc brake system, rotors are attached to your vehicle's wheels. When
the brake pads grip the rotor, they bring both the rotor and wheels to a
stop.
 However, the friction causes grooves and cracks to appear over time.
Resurfacing brings the rotor back to a "like-new" condition, reducing
squealing and wobbling. We will give your rotors a
thorough inspection and recommend your best course of action.
Caliper Replacement
The brake caliper houses your brake pads and fits around the rotor like a
clamp, pressing the pads against the rotor when you brake. A brake caliber
problem could cause uneven braking, making your car slide forward when you
brake. Uneven braking can also cause your vehicle to slide out of control
in bad weather conditions, so contact one of our two shops in Gastonia NC as soon as
possible.
Brake Hoses
A brake hose is a tube carrying pressurized brake fluid from the master
cylinder to the brakes. A crushed hose can cause a lagged or slow brake,
and a leak in the hose can cause the brake, or the entire brake system, to
fail. These don't need to be replaced often, but should be replaced at the
first sign of cracking or wear.
Brake Fluid Flushes
Brake fluid will absorb water from the air over time, causing the brake system to become less effective and the fluid to
become corrosive, possibly damaging the system. It is important to perform a brake fluid flush regularly to ensure that your
vehicle is using fresh fluid. Talk to our Gastonia North Carolina technicians at Mr Nobody Tire about when it's time for a
brake fluid flush.
Wheel Bearings
Wheel bearings are found inside of wheels, allowing the wheels to spin freely, and are connected to the brake system. They
can become worn over time, causing a vibrating suspension and noisy rubbing as the car is driven. If they break completely,
the vehicle will become very difficult to control and unsafe to drive. Replacement interval for wheel bearings varies
greatly, but they should be checked for leaks and wear periodically. At Mr. Nobody Tire in Gastonia NC, we can make sure that your bearings are
in good shape and let you know if they need replacement.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) ensure that the wheels don't stop rotating
during braking, preventing the car or truck from skidding and offering greater
control. If your ABS light comes on, visit one of our two auto repair shops in Gastonia NC and we
will be happy to diagnose and fix the problem.
Parking Brake:
The
Parking Brake uses Cables to mechanically apply the brakes (usually the
rear brake.) This is used to prevent the car from rolling when not being
driven.
 Cables
Your vehicle's brake system is a culmination of over 100 years of
technological innovation, transforming crude stopping mechanisms into
dependable and efficient equipment. While brake systems vary by make and
model, the basic system consists of disc brakes in front and either disk
or drum brakes in back. Connected by a series of tubes and hoses, your
brakes link to each wheel and to the master cylinder, which supply them
with vital brake fluid (hydraulic fluid).
We can summarize all of your braking equipment into two categories,
Hydraulics and Friction Material:
Hydraulics
Master Cylinder:
The master cylinder is like a pressure converter. When you press down on
the brake pedal (physical pressure), the master cylinder converts this to
hydraulic pressure, and brake fluid moves into the wheel brakes.
Brake Lines and Hoses:
Brake lines hoses deliver pressurized brake fluid to the braking unit(s)
at each wheel.
Wheel Cylinders and Calipers:
Wheel Cylinders surrounded by two rubber-sealed pistons connect the piston
with the brake shoe. Push the brakes and the pistons stop and the shoes
pushes into the drum. Calipers squeeze brake pads onto the rotor to stop
your car. Both components apply pressure to friction materials.
Friction Materials
Disc Brake Pads and Drum Brake Shoes:
A disc brake uses fluid (released by the master cylinder) to force
pressure into a caliper, where it presses against a piston. The piston
then squeezes two brake pads against the rotor, forcing it to stop. Brake
shoes consist of a steel shoe with friction material bonded to it.
How It Comes Together:
When you first step on the brake pedal, you are triggering the release of
brake fluid into the system of tubes and hoses, which travel to the
braking unit at each wheel. You actually push against a plunger in the
master cylinder, releasing fluid. Brake fluid can't be compressed. It
moves through the network of tubes and hoses in the exact same motion and
pressure that initiated it. When it comes to stopping a heavy steel
machine at high speed, this consistency is a good thing. The performance
of your brakes can be affected when air gets into the fluid; since air can
compress, it creates sponginess in the pedal, which disrupts consistency,
and results in bad braking efficiency. "Bleeder screws" (located at each
wheel cylinder) remove unwanted air in your system.
A car or truck without functioning brakes is dangerous. In many cases, warning
signs will tell you if your car's brakes may need service.
Warning signs include:
 Squealing or grinding noises when
using brakes. This could mean your brakes need to be adjusted or that your
brake pads are worn and need replacement.
 Your dashboard's Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) light turns on. This indicates that your brake fluid is low.
You may have a leak in your brake line. Get it inspected.
 While braking, your car pulls to one
side. This means that your brakes need adjustment, there is brake fluid
leakage, or your brakes are worn out and need replacement.
 Your brakes are hard to press down or
feel "spongy." Usually this means air has gotten into your brake lines or
you may have low brake fluid.
 When applying your brakes, your
steering wheel, brake pedal, or entire vehicle begins to shake. If this
happens, your brake rotors could be warped and need replacement.
 When
you notice any brake warning signs, contact our professional staff by
phone, or email, immediately and we'll take care of it.
BENEFITS
OF BRAKE SERVICE & REPAIR
Bad brakes display warning signs for impending brake maintenance. For
example, if your brakes squeal or grind when in use, then your brake pads
may be worn and require replacements. If your vehicle pulls to one side
when braking, then this may point to worn brakes, a malfunctioning
caliper, or low brake fluid in the brake lines. If your brake pedal
presses down too easily—also known as “spongy” brakes—then this may be an
indication of too much air in the hydraulic brake lines. Sometimes, your
vehicle’s electronic diagnostic system will alert you to a potential brake
issue by a service indicator light (see below) on the dashboard. While
these are only some of the most common signs of potential problems with
your vehicle’s brake system, noticing these signs of faulty brakes and
seeking out a brake service can save you money down the line. Our staff in
Gastonia North Carolina is trained in maintaining and servicing front and rear
brake systems and all accompanying brake system components like brake
pads, brake shoes, parking brakes, rotors, drums, and hydraulic systems.
If you experience any of the above signs or symptoms of bad brakes, like
unusual squealing or grinding noises, then contact us online or call us
today to have your brakes inspected immediately.
Contact Mr. Nobody Tire for Brake Service today.
 Brake Light
- Dashboard Warning Light
The Brake Service Light can be activated for a number of reasons. The
simplest cause is that the parking brake is engaged. If the brake
service light is still illuminated after the parking brake has been fully
disengaged, there could be a more serious issue. Lack of hydraulic
pressure or a low fluid level due to leaking will both generate your
Brake Light – and both issues indicate an immediate need for
brake service. Brake fluid leaks are particularly dangerous as they can
cause your brakes to fail and contaminate different components of
your brake system. Make sure your brakes are still stopping your
vehicle if you are attempting to drive. If there is no brake
pressure at all, it is safest to stop driving and call for a tow.
Contact Mr. Nobody Tire for Brake Service today.
 Anti-Lock Brake System Light
The Anti-Lock Brake System Light, also known as the ABS Light,
indicates that there is a malfunction in your vehicle’s anti-lock
brake system. The malfunction is logged by your vehicle’s onboard
computer system and the applicable OBD2 codes are readable only with
diagnostic tools. Issues triggering your Anti-Lock Brake System
Light can range in nature from a dirty wheel sensor to loss of
voltage. When the ABS light triggers, your anti-lock brake system
disengages and does not turn back on until your vehicle is serviced.
Even if the ABS light is on, you should have normal brake pedal and
stopping capabilities. Contact Mr. Nobody Tire for Brake Service today.
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Disc brakes consist of a disc brake rotor, which is attached to the wheel,
and a Caliper, which holds the disc brake pads. Hydraulic
pressure from the master cylinder causes the caliper piston to clamp the
disc brake rotor between the disc brake pads. This creates friction
between the pads and rotor, causing your car or truck to slow down or stop.
Disc brake rotors and pads
Calipers and hardware
Brake
Drums and Shoes
Wheel
Cylinders
Brake Return
Springs
