Does Your Vehicle Need New Brakes?

New Brakes Are Essential

Every vehicle needs brakes to operate safely. Everything in a vehicle needs replacing at some point, but how do you know if you need new brakes?

Sierra Blanca Motors offers brake repair and vehicle service in Ruidoso, NM,  and the surrounding communities of Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Las Cruces, and Roswell. Sierra Blanca Motors is a family-owned dealership serving the area for over 50 years with dedication to excellent service.

How can you tell if your brakes need to be replaced? There are several warning signs, like hearing noises, the front of your vehicle pulling to one side, and the brake pedal vibrating when pressed. Read on to learn more, or schedule a service appointment today.

Brakes Make A Squealing Noise

When you apply the brakes when you drive, you should not hear any noises. Hearing a noise, especially a loud squealing sound, is a warning sign that your brakes might need replacing. There should not be any squealing sounds when your vehicle stops.

This sound means that metal is scratching against metal. If you hear this, you might need new brakes. This sound does not come from your rotors but from worn brake pads.

All brake pads have built-in wear indicators. These metal tabs near the tops of brake pads make noise when they are below a quarter-inch thick. When they wear down to this extent, the indicator tab rubs against the rotors, causing that squealing squeak telling you that it is time to bring your vehicle in for a brake inspection.

There Is A Clicking Noise

Working brake pads are essential to proper car maintenance, and they make noises to tell you when they no longer work right. If they make a clicking noise, it might be time to replace them.

Brake pads tend to fit snug and tight in your car, not designed to wobble or move around. If they become loose, it usually results from damage to parts from the hardware surrounding that area.

If your brake pads become loose, they will start to rattle. It sounds like a rattling or clicking sound when the brake is pushed on or released.

The Front of Your Vehicle Pulls to One Side When You Brake

Your brake pads will wear away near the end of their life, but they don’t always deteriorate at the same rate. One side can go a little faster than the other and cause problems. When this happens, the nose of your car will pull slightly left or right after stepping on the brakes.

If not repaired, this problem causes unnecessary strain on your steering rack, ball joints, wheel bearings, and steering knuckles. Sometimes this can happen with something minor like low tire pressure in a front-wheel or a malfunctioning brake caliper. If your car’s brake pads are worn out, you should install both new brakes simultaneously to avoid stress later on.

When Pressed, The Brake Pedal Vibrates

Vehicles naturally vibrate while you drive, but not all vibrations are the same, and not all vibrations are normal. If your brake pedal shakes when you press down on it, it could be a minor alignment issue or a more severe problem, like warped rotors.

When brake pads and rotors are even and well-balanced, braking is gentle and smooth. If either surface is uneven or warped, the inconsistent friction causes the brake pedal to vibrate and shake around.

Your brake pedal vibrating can also cause brake glazing, which happens when the brakes are overheated too frequently or too long. The materials of the pad itself can become crystalized and smooth, or the materials on the brake pads can partially liquify. This is dangerous, so don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle to the trusted mechanics at Sierra Blanca Motors to get new brakes.

Sierra Blanca Motors | Your Brake Repair Experts | Ruidoso, NM

If you’re wondering, “I need new brakes; where is there brake repair near me?” then look no more. Sierra Blanca Motors is your brake repair expert in and around the Ruidoso, NM area.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team can assist you with all your brake repair needs. Whether you need a complete replacement or a minor fixing, our certified service department can do the job for you, providing exceptional maintenance and repair at competitive prices. With our dedication to excellent service, you’re not just a customer here; you’re family.

Contact us at (575) 315-0145 today to schedule brake service with Sierra Blanca Motors.