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Does Your Vehicle Stop the Way It Should?
Your braking system is one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle.
Brake wear can happen gradually, which means you may notice small changes long before a major problem develops. A faint squeak, different pedal feel, vibration, or increased stopping distance can all be reasons to have the system checked.
At Viking Automotive, brake repair and brake inspections are part of the shop's full-service automotive offerings in Midvale. The shop's technicians can evaluate the braking system and determine what service is appropriate.
Don't ignore changes such as:
Not every symptom has the same cause.
A proper inspection helps determine whether the concern involves the brake pads, rotors, calipers, hydraulic system, or another vehicle component.
Brake pads are designed to wear as they do their job.
Every time you slow down, friction is generated between the brake pad and braking surface. Eventually, the friction material becomes too thin to continue providing the expected performance.
How quickly pads wear depends on your driving conditions.
Frequent stop-and-go traffic, hills, heavier vehicles, and repeated hard braking can all affect brake life.
Rotors provide the surface against which the brake pads operate.
They experience repeated heating and cooling throughout the life of the vehicle. Over time, wear or other conditions can affect how smoothly the braking system operates.
If you experience vibration or pulsation while braking, the rotors may be one area that needs inspection, although tires, wheels, suspension, and steering components can also create similar sensations.
A squeak doesn't automatically mean that your brakes are dangerously worn.
Noise can result from brake-pad material, moisture, surface conditions, wear, or other factors.
However, a new or persistent noise deserves attention—especially when it is accompanied by changes in braking performance.
Grinding is more concerning than an occasional squeak.
It may indicate that brake components are severely worn or that metal surfaces are contacting where they shouldn't.
Continuing to drive with grinding brakes can increase component damage.
If grinding continues every time you stop, have the vehicle inspected promptly.
If your vehicle moves toward one side when you apply the brakes, something may be affecting how the vehicle stops.
Uneven braking can cause pulling, but tire condition, alignment, steering, and suspension components can also play a role.
A complete inspection can help separate a brake problem from another issue affecting vehicle stability.
The brake pedal should have a predictable feel.
If it suddenly becomes soft, spongy, or travels significantly farther than it used to, schedule an inspection.
The hydraulic braking system depends on proper fluid pressure to transfer pedal force to the brakes at the wheels.
A change in pedal feel can indicate a condition that requires attention.
One advantage of using a full-service repair facility is that brake problems don't always have to be viewed in isolation.
Viking Automotive also provides suspension repair, wheel alignments, shocks and struts, tire services, fluid services, and other maintenance.
This can be important when symptoms overlap between braking, steering, suspension, and tires.
A brake inspection can be worthwhile before a road trip, especially if:
Finding developing wear before a long trip is much easier than discovering a problem once you're far from home.
If your brakes have started making noise or simply don't feel the same, don't wait until stopping becomes a serious concern.
Contact Viking Automotive for brake inspection and repair in Midvale.
Call (801) 838-8898 or visit 6905 S State St, Midvale, UT 84047 to schedule service.
The shop's current posted hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.