Why Are My Brake Pads Wearing Unevenly ?
Brake pads can wear unevenly for several reasons. I will be referring to the top of the pad as the area closest to the bridge bolt of the caliper. If top is wearing more than the bottom, the brake pressure might be too high causing the caliper to spread apart at it’s weakest point which […]
Why Do My Rotors Look So Bad Compared To When They Were New?
The most common reasons are the brakes where not bed or bedded improperly, brake pressure is too low, the front to rear proportioning is incorrect, the size or type of brakes are inadequate , brake pad material is insufficient, or not pulling the chute. New brakes should always be bed. During this process, brake pad […]
I Don’t Like The Feel Of The Brake Pedal, What Could Be Wrong ?
I assume that the pedal is either too hard, too soft, or has a lot of travel. I would check the brake pressure first. Use a temporary pressure gauge like our P2360 to measure pressure directly at each caliper. It would be best for the actual driver of the vehicle to push on the brake […]
Why Is My Brake Pedal Pulsating ?
The most common reason is one or more of the rotors is warped. If you also feel it in the steering wheel, the check the front first. More uncommon is that wheel bearings are loose, front tire pressure is too low, or you lost a wheel weight. First consider if everything was fine until you […]
When Do I Need To Change My Brake Fluid ?
The brake fluid should be changed every year before the car is run for the season. Use either DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 and do not use silicone brake fluid. While in storage, condensation will accumulate in the system. One feature of brake fluid is the absorption of water. When replacing the fluid, you are […]
When Should I Rebuild My Calipers ?
Calipers should be rebuilt when the pistons appear to be sticking, there is leakage, subject to excessive heat such as a fire, the brake fluid is dirty, or it has been several years since the last rebuild. Rebuilds are relatively simple. Often it’s just an o-ring kit and cleaning. The pistons are stainless steel which […]
How Long Should My Pads & Rotors Last ?
It depends on vehicle weight, MPH, rotor to tire diameter, pad surface area and compound, number of caliper pistons, piston diameter, brake pressure, stopping distance, and any other assistance such as a chute. I’m not trying to be difficult, there’s just a lot of factors to consider. If the vehicle has four wheel disc brakes […]
What Brake Fluid Should I Use ?
We recommend DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 only, and stay away from silicone brake fluid. There are some Hi Temp versions of DOT 5.1 that offer higher protection against boiling the fluid. You must be careful with brake fluid as it will soften paint if spilled. The brake fluid should be changed every year before […]
When Do I Need A Residual Pressure Valve ?
In OEM vehicles, they are present in drum brake systems. 10 lbs of line pressure are required to keep the wheel cylinder cups expanded and ready to start moving the brake shoes. They were either located within the master cylinder behind the brass inserts at the exit ports, or down in the combination valve. Without […]
Do I Need a Proportioning Valve ?
Many believe you don’t need one, but your vehicle will never stop as good as it could. All factory cars came with them for a reason. Optimal braking occurs when all four tires want to lock-up at the same time. There are may differences between the front and rear of your vehicle. Weight, tire height, […]
