Your brakes allow you to control your speed and stop anytime. They depend on friction, heat, and pressure to work effectively, and over time, components will age or become damaged. Since all the system parts work together, any damage reduces braking efficiency and could cause an accident. As your Ford dealer, we want to ensure that you have all the information you need to keep your car running strong. With that in mind, check out a few signs you need to visit us for a brake repair.
Pulling to One Side
When you hit the brakes, the calipers descend on the wheel rotors and clamp against them. The brake pads inside the calipers generate friction against the spinning rotors, stopping your wheels. All four calipers grab the rotors simultaneously, ensuring your vehicle stops as quickly as possible. If you brake and feel your Ford turning toward one side, this is a sign of brake trouble.
The problem is caused by a caliper failing to grab its rotor, and the affected wheel continues to move until stopped by the other wheels. The fault could be caused by a rusted caliper or a blockage in the brake hose leading to the caliper. A blocked hose prevents brake fluid from reaching the caliper and forcing it to close as it should. We’ll investigate and clear the blockage or replace the caliper to fix this problem.
Hard Brake Pedal
When you push down on the brake pedal, you expect resistance. This resistance is generated by the pressurized brake fluid, and the harder you press down the more resistance. A hard brake pedal is a situation where the pedal refuses to move unless you apply significant force. This can be tiring, and it’s dangerous as it prevents you from engaging your brakes as quickly as you may need.
The extreme resistance is caused by a brake pedal booster failure. The booster is positioned between your pedal and the rest of the braking system. It uses vacuum pressure to magnify the force exerted on the pedal by 10x. This extra power enables you to easily press the pedal when needed. Damage to the vacuum prevents the booster from working. We’ll examine the booster and repair or replace it, so your brakes will work smoothly again.
Brake Fluid Leak
As we’ve seen, brakes depend on brake fluid to deliver the hydraulic pressure to force them to engage. If your brakes aren’t regularly serviced, brake lines can rust, and brake hoses can leak. As the system loses brake fluid, you’ll feel less resistance from the pedal, the braking distance will increase, and your brakes will become less responsive.
Our technicians will examine your braking system, repair the leak, and then refill the fluid, so your brakes will work effectively again. If you have a brake problem, contact our service department ASAP at Auffenberg Ford North in O’Fallon, IL.
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