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