Your brakes are the most important safety feature of your car. If your brakes are working correctly you could avoid an accident and keep you, your passengers, and your car safe and undamaged. Without good brakes, a near miss can easily become a terrible accident. As your GMC Dealer in Martinsburg, WV we are here for you when you need a brake repair.
Do You Need a Brake Repair? Visit Your GMC Dealer and Chevy Dealer Today!
Clunking Noises
Unusual sounds from your car always mean something isn’t right. Clunking sounds from under your car are even more concerning. These sounds conjure images of serious damage and expensive repairs, but that doesn’t have to be true. If you hear a strange sound, it may be nothing important but if the sound persists it’s time to see your dealer right away. The earlier a problem is examined by our technicians, the greater the chance it can be easily fixed.
Clunking sounds can be caused by several different things. One common reason is a loose or worn bolt. Many of your brakes components are attached to your car by bolts. A loose bolt will cause parts of your brake system to shift when you brake.
Burning Chemical Smell
A foul chemical smell wafting through your window can mean that your brake fluid is way too hot. Brake fluid creates a hydraulic pressure to push the calipers that sit above your wheel rotors against the wheel rotors. When the calipers clamp against the rotors, the friction they generate brings your car to a stop. If your brake fluid is hot enough to give off a smell, it’s reached boiling point.
Excessive hard braking, especially in very hot weather is one of the main causes of boiling brake fluid. Hot brake fluid loses its ability to exert hydraulic pressure and this means that your brakes won’t work properly. If you smell hot brake fluid, we advise stopping your car and waiting until it cools down. Call our service department and our technicians will investigate the problem.
Soft Brake Pedal
Your brake pedal should offer resistance when you press it, and the harder you press the more resistance you should feel. If you have to press the pedal to the floor, there’s a problem with your brakes. The three main causes of a soft brake pedal are low brake fluid, the air in the hoses, or a damaged master cylinder. Brake fluid produces the hydraulic pressure to squeeze the calipers against the rotors. A leak will reduce this pressure and prevent your brakes from working properly.
Air can get into the brake hoses, and this air forms a blockage that prevents the brake fluid from exerting any pressure. Finally, a damaged master cylinder can prevent the release of any brake fluid. A master cylinder can’t be repaired, but we can replace it.
Brake problems are dangerous. To keep safe, if you have any signs of bad brakes, call us immediately at Opequon Motors.
Connect with us
