I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
When it comes to worn rotors, the signs of a problem aren't quite as loud and blaring as worn pads. However, as one of the most vital components of a braking system, worn rotors can cause your stopping power to decline significantly and put you at an increased risk for an accident. Make sure you know how to recognize the signs your rotors might need to be replaced.
Ridges
A quick touch of your rotors might also alert you of a problem. If you have an open-spoke wheel style, after your car has been parked and had time to cool, stand on the side of your tire and run your finger along the edge of the rotor. A rotor in good condition should be smooth to the touch. If you feel ridges or groves along the surface, this means the rotor is worn down and needs to be replaced.
Grinding
Similar to brake pads, a bad rotor can also produce noise in the form of a grinding like sound. When stopping, it will sound like your brakes are digging into something. When you start to hear this sound, this means that all the padding surface material on the rotor is pretty much worn and what you hear is the sound of the pads grinding together.
Abrupt Stops
When it comes to stopping your vehicle, the greater the pressure you place on the pedal, the more abruptly you will stop. When your vehicle stops abruptly no matter how much pressure you place on the pedal, this likely means your rotors are worn. When the rotors are worn, the brake pads compress quickly, causing you stop abruptly. Failing to address this problem will only cause your pads to wear at an accelerated rate.
Pulsating
One of the easiest ways to tell you have a problem with your rotors is a pulsating type of sensation when you press on the brakes. This sensation is often an indication that your rotor is warped. Since the surface is bumpy, this causes an uneven transfer of fraction between your rotor and your pads when stopping. As the problem progresses it will be hard to ignore as it will literally feel like the steering wheel is vibrating out of control whenever you try to stop.
If you suspect a problem with your rotors, make sure you are taking your vehicle in to a repair technician as soon as possible. In the event there is a real problem, prolonging replacement of the rotor will only make matters worse so swift action is suggested. For more information, talk to a brake service.
Share22 December 2015
