Getting a Brake Repair for Your Ford

Over 300,000 crashes are caused each year in the US by brake failure. The braking systems in Ford vehicles are extremely reliable, but even the very best brakes require diligent maintenance to keep you safe on the road. Brakes should be serviced at least every six months at your local Ford dealer. Let’s take a look at the four major parts of a braking mechanism and how each one can sometimes require brake repair.

Getting Brake Repair at Your Local Ford Dealership

Brake Pad Repair

Each time you press the brake pedal, your brake pads clamp onto the rotors. The enormous friction generated brings your car to a halt. This friction gradually scrapes away at the friction layer of a brake pad, which is formed of various metallic or organic compounds bonded by heat-resistant resin.

Under ordinary urban driving conditions, brake pads last about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. When the friction layer is all but gone, you’ll hear a high-pitched squealing sound, signifying it’s time for replacement pads. If the friction layer is allowed to disappear altogether, you’ll hear metallic grinding when you brake, which means your rotor discs are being damaged.

Rotor Repair

Each rotor disc is connected firmly to the axle, allowing it to control the wheel’s speed. Rotors are usually made from high-carbon iron or ceramic materials and they generally last longer than brake pads: about 50,000 to 70,000 miles. It’s possible for over-used pads to score the surface of rotors. This will lead to odd vibrations when you brake.

Overheating can also warp rotors out of shape. Also, while overheating, the resin in brake pads occasionally melts, coating the rotor and hardening as a lumpy surface. Any such damage you’ll feel as vibrations through the brake pedal. Damaged rotors can sometimes be revived with resurfacing, but most often they need to be replaced.

Brake Hose Repair

The brake hoses transmit the braking signal from your foot to the calipers, which then clamp the brake pads onto the rotors. Your foot is able to exert such force because of the extremely high hydraulic pressure existing inside the brake hoses.

This hydraulic pressure is maintained by special brake fluid. If this brake fluid ever leaks or air gets into the hose, then your brakes will become soft and spongy. If this happens, slow down and pull over immediately before you get into an accident.

Caliper Repair

The caliper houses the entire braking mechanism. Calipers are extremely sturdy and durable and can be expected to last a good 75,000 to 100,000 miles.

On rare occasions, a screw or bolt might become jolted loose inside a caliper. In this case, you might hear the loose part clicking noisily whenever you brake.

Have your brakes serviced today by experienced professionals at Village Ford in Dearborn. We have courteous, knowledgeable staff on hand and a broad inventory of excellent Ford vehicles.

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