Regularly checking a car’s brakes to ensure that they are in proper, working order is important for everyone, but it is especially important for those who live in the Seattle area. As Seattle residents know all too well, the area is full of hills and mountains, and all of these can tend to make brakes wear out much more quickly than they would for a person living in an area with flatter terrain. The constant pressure of having to go up and down hills is also known to cause problems with the brake rotors. Some common signs of problematic brake rotors include strangely shaped brake pads and a shaking steering wheel, but by the time these signs present themselves, you’ve likely already done some serious damage to your brakes and potentially even to your vehicle as whole. This is why it’s important that, in addition to regularly having brake service done by a mechanic, you keep your ears open. Yes, your ears! See, strange sounds often indicate the presence of a brake problem.
If you hear a squealing noise when you press down on the brake, for example, this could be indicative of a wide range of serious car problems. Potential issues include worn brake shoes, excess dust in the brake drums, bent or distorted brake backing plates, damaged brake linings, and many others. Since it’s impossible for you to tell, on your own, what, exactly, the squealing represents, just assume it means something’s wrong and take your vehicle in for brake service!
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Sometimes, brakes may make an unpleasant scraping sound. This frequently occurs when you’re traveling along at lower speeds and is thus easier to hear than certain other types of brake noise. Usually, that scraping sound means that you have worn and/or damaged brake pads. It could also indicate an issue with the wheel bearings. Scraping sounds are some of the most dangerous sounds you can hear, since they can often indicate brakes that are near failure. If you ignore the problem for too long, you could find yourself unable to stop when you need to, which can obviously be incredibly dangerous. If you hear a scraping sound, do not delay in seeking brake service for your vehicle.
You may also notice a rattling noise. Rattling sounds may or may not be something to be concerned about; it really depends on when you hear these sounds. If you hear that rattling sound when you let off the pedal, don’t panic; this is normal. If the rattling noise occurs while you’ve got your foot on the pedal, however, a problem could exist. Of course, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you’re unsure about when the rattling sound is occurring or about whether or not it could indicate a problem, take your vehicle in for brake service.
In fact, anytime you hear a strange noise—whether it’s emanating from the brakes or anywhere else in your vehicle—it’s best to see a mechanic. New sounds don’t start happening without reason, and that reason is usually a problem with your car.
When you bring your vehicle in for service at Mr Clutch, we do our best to remove any doubts, fears, or stress around the trust factor. Our goal is to educate you and answer any questions you have about servicing and caring for your car. We look forward to the opportunity to earn your trust.
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(888) 660-3492
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The experienced technicians, here at, Mr. Clutch are knowledgeable, dependable and qualified to handle any problem you may have with your Domestic, European or Asian vehicle.
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