Brake Repair: How To Diagnose

By Austin Morris 01/19/2023 8:00am

Quick Facts About Diagnosing Brake Problems

• Don’t delay any brake repair, as it’s critical for your safety to get it done immediately.
• A squeaking noise indicates that your brakes are worn and likely need replacement.
• Your brakes are made up of multiple parts, including rotors, brake pads, and calipers.

Like any other moving part of your vehicle, the brakes could one day need repair. Unlike some car parts that can wait for repairs, it’s essential to get your brakes repaired immediately if you suspect an issue, and a mechanic can help diagnose the exact problem. Well-maintained brakes can mean the difference between stopping quickly and a rear-ending accident.

Luckily, there are some signs to know when you need a brake repair. Continue reading to learn how to diagnose bad brakes and how to get them fixed.

How Long Do Brakes Last?

Your brakes and brake pads can last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles or more. This number can vary drastically depending on a few key factors. The most important factor when determining brake life is your daily driving commute. If most of your travel is on the highway, there is less need for you to use your brakes constantly. This means your brakes will last at least 50,000 miles or sometimes longer.

However, if you’re a city dweller, the lifespan of your brakes will likely be shorter. When driving through the city, you put more pressure and strain on the brakes due to stopping and starting. For example, when you stop at a red light or stop sign or press your brake pedal to make a turn — it causes them to wear faster than if you were driving steadily on a highway.

How To Know if Your Brakes Need Repair

When your brakes get close to the end of their lifecycle, they will usually signal that they’re going bad with a few warning signs. For example, listening to the sound of your brakes is the best way to know if your brake pads need repair. Once you realize your brakes may have an issue, it’s best to head to a trusted mechanic for a brake inspection. Read on to find out the key indicators for brake repair.

1. Squeaking Noise

If you hear a squeaking or squealing noise from your car whenever you brake, you should get it checked immediately. Any noise can be a sign that your brakes are thin and worn. However, the sound could also come from worn brake pads, meaning the metal is rubbing against metal. The sound can come from a built-in wear indicator on the pads that makes a loud noise when it’s time for new brake pads.

You may hear other noises like clicking or grinding when stepping on the brakes. These sounds correlate with the brake pads or the brake shoes, which happen when they start to get worn.

Even if you can’t tell which part of the brakes the sound comes from, it is a high possibility that the brakes will need to be replaced.

2. Burning Smell

Your sense of smell can also let you know that you may be having brake issues. If you smell burning when you hold your brakes or press them repeatedly, it likely means they’re overheated. In this case, pull over when and where it’s safe to do so and let your brakes cool down, as no part of your car works well when overheated.

If there is a burning smell combined with smoke coming from the wheels, there may be a more significant issue with the brakes. Call for help if you see smoke, as the car is likely unsafe to drive.

3. Brake Fluid Leak

A brake fluid leak is yet another cause for repair. Brake fluid helps keep your brakes working properly and is needed to bring your car to a stop safely. Leaking fluid usually means brake damage and can impact your ability to brake. You’ll be able to identify that it’s brake fluid if you see a light-yellow tint in any wet spots under your car. 

Another sign to look for is brown liquid leaking underneath your vehicle, which typically means the brake fluid is expired. You can manually check the brake fluid by propping open the hood and unscrewing the brake fluid cap. Brake fluid typically lasts four to five years. To keep your car running properly and safely, check your brake fluid every time you get an oil change or at least once a year.

4. Warning Light

Another indicator of needing a brake repair is the brake system warning light. The warning indicator is present in most cars, and a light on your dashboard will illuminate. This is a sign to get your brakes checked, as it could mean your car is low on brake fluid. It could also mean your emergency brake is on or there’s a malfunction with the sensors.

The brake system warning light is separate from your ABS (antilock brake system) light, which has to do with your car’s traction.

5. Brake Pedal Problems

If you press the brake pedal and it feels weird, your brakes will need to be checked immediately. Brake pedal problems can directly lead to a car taking longer to stop than usual.

A common problem is spongy or soft brakes. This occurs when you step on your brake pedal and it goes all the way to the floor. Unless you are slamming on your brakes in an emergency, the pedal should offer some resistance. If there is none, get the brakes inspected.

On the other hand, if the pedal feels too hard, that could also indicate a problem with the brakes. Don’t delay getting any brake pedal problems checked out and diagnosed.

6. Vibrating or Pulling When Braking

When stopping the car, the brakes should allow you to glide to a smooth stop. The car or the steering wheel will sometimes vibrate when the brakes are bad. Vibration is usually due to a problem with the rotors wearing unevenly, resulting in a shaky car.

If your car pulls to one side when stepping on the brakes, that should be immediate cause for concern. If the problem is with the front brakes, this could mean one of the brakes is not working, and the other is carrying the weight of stopping you.

What Happens if You Don’t Fix Bad Brakes

If you notice something is wrong with your brakes, you should take the car to get inspected immediately. While some car repairs can wait, anything having to do with stopping a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds is not one of those repairs to delay. For your safety and the safety of others, make sure to get your brakes inspected and repaired if you suspect a problem.

Neglecting a brake repair is a safety issue, but it can also cost you more money if you delay fixing the problem. Your brakes consist of multiple moving parts, such as rotors, calipers, brake pads, and more. Once one system goes down, it’s only a matter of time until it affects the other parts of the system. For example, waiting to fix brake pads can cause the rotors to wear down faster.

Depending on your vehicle, a complete brake repair, including rotors, calipers, and brake pads, can cost as much as $1,000, sometimes more. However, the cost can rise if you neglect the necessary repairs. Suppose you drive a luxury vehicle, like a Mercedes-Benz AMG performance model. Kelley Blue Book’s expert mechanics say you may pay at least $15,000 for brake pad and rotor replacement for a carbon-ceramic rotor-equipped vehicle. Use our brake repair pricing tool to find out what you can expect to pay.

Fixing and replacing your car’s brakes when needed not only keeps your vehicle operating safely, but can help you get the most for your car when you trade or sell it. For more ways to maximize your car’s value, see how to maintain your car’s value.