Every vehicle owner at some point has to change their brake pads and rotors. It is not fun when you hear that squealing sound and you know that it’s your brakes that are going bad. Before it’s too late, your pads are getting worn down and you must take the car in now to be serviced. Thankfully, having your brake pads changed and either new rotors or having them cut is not a difficult job. It just takes time to inspect the entire braking system and then do the job.
Brake pads are a fairly easy fix and many vehicle owners know how to change them on their own which saves lots of money. A lot of the costs of fixing brakes is the labor which ends up driving the bill a lot higher. But if you understand the braking system, taking off the old pads and replacing them with new ones is a very simple fix. The issues arise when you need new rotors.
It is important to remember that you have other brake components and not just pads. Brake rotors are a crucial element of the braking system because it is what stops your vehicle. The brake pads clamp down on the rotors which in turn causes your vehicle to slow down.
Rotors are a very important component of a vehicle’s braking system and the wrong ones could prove to be detrimental to the overall health of your vehicle. It is very important that you learn about the different rotors, slotted or not and what each one can do for you. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, plus the type of driving you will probably determine the type of rotors you end up buying.
Many high-performance vehicles use slotted rotors which have holes in them. The main purpose of this is to allow the heat to pass through. The downside is that it can wear down the brake pads much quicker. It is a tradeoff that you need to decide, but if you do have a high-performance vehicle, then you will probably go with the slotted rotors. Keeping in mind that you may have to change them much more often.
Shopping around for brake pads and rotors is simple enough because every auto parts store and garage is trying to sell you on getting it done. The good news is that there is usually a special on brakes at almost every mechanics garage. The bad news is that not everybody that fixes brakes does it the right way. Many people like to cut corners and forget to tighten screws or align the wheels back properly. Some even forget to tighten the lug nuts. All of these issues can be dangerous, so it is in your best interests to shop around, read lots of online reviews, check out websites and see who offers the best deal on quality parts.
There is plenty of helpful advice when it comes to installing brake systems. Don’t forget about the other braking components and regularly change the pads. If you drive a performance car, make sure you buy the right brake pads to keep the braking system from getting too hot.