PETER’S AUTO WORKS

VOLVO

BRAKES

Brake problems can occur in these areas:

  1. Warped brake rotors are caused by sustained high heat - constant braking without letting up on the brake pedal and/or improperly torqing the wheels.

    • It can also be caused by machining the front rotors down to the legal minimum thickness (the less mass there is to the brake rotor the greater tendency to warp)

    • The symptom is the steering wheel will move side to side and the brake pedal will pulsate.

    • If the rear brake rotors are warped the vibration will be felt through the whole car.

    • Brake rotors should always be machined when replacing brake pads.

    • Front brake rotors should be replaced if they approach minimum thickness after machining.
       

  2. Squealing brakes is usually caused by an audible vibration set up by the brake pad.

    • This can be caused by the material in the brake pad reacting to the brake rotor.

    • It can also be a result of misalignment of the brake caliper to the brake rotor.

    • Squealing can occur if the brake pads were replaced but the rotors were not machined.
       

  3. A soft or spongy brake pedal can mean that air has been introduced into the brake fluid. (Air can be compressed but brake fluid can't)

    • It can also be a caliper problem (frozen pistons or loose caliper mounting).
       

  4. Uneven brake pad wear can be caused by the pistons in a caliper on one side (left or right) being frozen and not retracting when you let off the brakes.

    • It can also be a caliper that is frozen and not moving properly when the brakes are
      applied.
       

  5. Car pulls left or right when braking is usually caused by a frozen brake caliper. (e.g. pulls left, right caliper is frozen)

    • This symptom is only evident with the front brakes.
       

  6. The brake failure light on always indicates a problem with the brake hydraulics, an external brake fluid leak or a problem with the brake master cylinder.
    (see Instruments and Warning lights )
     

  7. Brake dust on front wheels is brake pad material and is virtually unavoidable.

    • I have not found a brake pad yet that is dust free without side effects.
       

  8. Grinding usually indicates that the brake pad material has worn off and the metal backing plate is contacting the rotor. There is no warning before this symptom occurs.

Please call 503-684-3188 to schedule an appointment

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