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How does moisture get into your brake fluid? Brake
fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts and absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere, usually through the brake master
cylinder reservoir and permeable brake hoses.
Moisture contamination lowers the boiling point of
your brake fluid, so even under ordinary driving
conditions, moisture could cause the fluid to boil and release vapor
into your brake system. When this vapor compresses inside the
system, you may find yourself facing a most dreaded driving crisis-
a dangerously low brake peddle or no brake peddle at all!
Moisture contamination can also result in very
costly repairs, into the thousands, if you have ABS type brakes.
When moisture contaminated brake fluid reaches very high
temperatures, as much as 450-500 degrees, an electrochemical
reaction makes the fluid highly acidic. The acid breaks down the
steel lines and rubber hoses and can cause early failure of the cast
iron and aluminum components in the brake system module.
Brake fluid contamination has become so much of a
concern, car manufacturers have added brake fluid service to their
required maintenance schedules.
Let our technicians
at Plymouth Auto & Tire Center perform this
important safety service for you today.
Power Brakes
The power brake system
helps you provide braking power so that you don’t
have to do all the work with your brake pedal.
The brakes themselves are applied
at the wheel using hydraulic pressure. When we step on the brake
pedal, we create pressure in the power booster that’s multiplied
by vacuum from the engine. The resulting pressure pushes
brake fluid through the master cylinder
into tubes and hoses that run to the brake at each wheel.
When there’s a problem, it’s
usually a fluid leak somewhere along the line. It
could be at a fitting or a hose, or even an internal leak
in the master cylinder. A leak gives the pressurized
fluid somewhere to go other than to the brakes, so stopping power
is hurt. Lose enough fluid and you can’t stop at all. Of course
that’s extremely dangerous.
 If you notice any decrease in stopping power or
if your pedal seems mushy, you could have a problem. There are
some preventive maintenance items for the power brake system that
will help them last longer.
Obviously you’d want to make sure
your brake fluid is filled to the recommended level. Low fluid in
the master cylinder could indicate a leak or worn brake material.
Master cylinder leaks are usually just because
it’s worn out but, leaks in the brake lines and connectors can be
minimized by replacing the brake fluid from time to time. Brake
fluid has additives that protect against corrosion that can damage
brake components.
Brake fluid also
attracts moisture which can lead to rust – not a good thing for
expensive anti-lock brake components. Also, significant amounts of
water in the brake fluid can affect stopping power because the
water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid. In the high
temperature environment of the brake system, the water can
vaporize – and steam doesn’t do a very good job of providing
hydraulic pressure.
A final word – make sure you use
the recommended type of brake fluid. There are
several kinds and using the wrong one can lead to total brake
failure. Our service advisor at Plymouth Auto & Tire Center can
help you.
TYPICAL DRUM BRAKE
Your brakes are extremely important as you drive
around Philadelphia. Having good brakes just keeps you out of
trouble. You’ll want to carefully maintain your brakes. With disc
brakes, brake pads rub on a disc – or rotor – to slow the wheels.
The
brake pads are attached to a caliper that squeezes the pads against
the rotor. It’s kind of like how squeezing the handbrake on a
bicycle pushes the brake pads against the wheel of the bike.
Now
pads just wear away with use – kind of like a pencil eraser wears
out. The good news is that replacing brake pads is
a straight-forward repair.
If you hear squealing or grinding when you use the
brakes, have your Plymouth Meeting service advisor check them out.
He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection
to see what needs to be done. He’ll check for signs of brake
problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re
working properly.
He
can tell you if it’s time to replace the pads or if there are other
issues with your brakes that should be addressed. Some people
ignore the warning signs and keep driving long
after the pads are completely worn out. When that happens, metal
brake components will grind on the rotor, damaging it enough that it
needs to be resurfaced or replaced.
Rotors can also warp or crack, in which case
they’ll need to be replaced. Brake calipers also
wear out over time. They can develop leaks or the caliper pistons
can freeze open or closed – either way it’s not good. When this
happens it’s time to replace the calipers. A thorough brake
inspection will reveal worn bearings or seals as
well.
The
new brake pads we put on your vehicle will restore your
brakes to manufacturers’ specifications. Or, we can install
upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake
noise and brake dust. We have several options to meet your braking
requirements and your budget.
Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and you could
prevent premature brake repairs down the road.
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