| Worn brake pads can adversely impact your | | | | be a wonderful opportunity to have someone else |
| ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be | | | | inspect your system to confirm your findings. |
| especially dangerous in an emergency situation | | | | Ask your mechanic for a complete diagnosis of |
| when adequately working brakes are a must to | | | | your brake system and an estimate on what |
| help you stop your car promptly. There are some | | | | parts and repairs will cost you. A good garage will |
| telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you | | | | give you a print out showing a fairly close |
| know what they are? Awareness of a problem is | | | | estimate of what your costs will be. Throw in |
| the key to avoiding potential harmful | | | | your local taxes and the price quoted should be |
| consequences; let's examine some well known | | | | within 95% of the final cost, barring an |
| warning signs. | | | | unforeseen additional problem being detected [for |
| Signs of pending brake trouble include the | | | | example, brake master cylinder failure]. |
| following: | | | | If you feel reasonably confident that you can do |
| Squealing brakes | | | | the work yourself, you stand to save yourself |
| Pulling of the car from one side to the other | | | | plenty of money, at least in labor costs. You can |
| Wheel grabs | | | | save money with parts, too, by shopping around; |
| Brake pedal pumping | | | | the highest prices you pay will likely be through |
| Sudden and hard brake pedal | | | | your dealer's parts department. Prices at a |
| Spongy brake pedals | | | | national auto parts supply store should be lower, |
| Grinding of the brakes | | | | while prices through an online wholesaler should be |
| While some of these problems may necessitate | | | | about the lowest available as they purchase |
| you replacing other brake components, an | | | | directly from the manufacturer. |
| inspection of your brake pads should reveal that | | | | If you decide to purchase online, only obtain parts |
| they are worn and are in need of immediate | | | | from a reputable dealer selling parts from trusted |
| replacement. | | | | manufacturers. Be careful of those sites selling |
| Your next course of action depends on your | | | | generic parts from overseas merchants. Make |
| expertise, your time, and on your wallet. Most | | | | sure that you can return what you purchase, if |
| garages offer a free brake inspection and this can | | | | needed, to address in based in the U.S. |