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Periodic Inspection of Braking System Can Save Lives and Money When is the last time you drove your vehicle into a repair facility for a preventative brake check? Probably never, since most of s don't think about our brakes until they need attention: corrective vs. preventative maintenance. The "Free Brake Inspection" frequently advertised by the auto repair trade is an offer usually passed up by the public. Even though brake failure tops the list of mechanical failures feared by drivers. It also is the leading cause of traffic accidents attributable to mechanical defect. Brake failure is nearly always preventable. A thorough braking system checkup includes inspection of: pads & shoes for lining wear, drums & rotors for wear, wheel cylinders & callipers for leakage, hydraulic lines & hoses for leaks, kinks & blockages, and fluid in master cylinder for level and condition. An ideal time to have this inspection done is when the vehicle is on the lift for tire rotation or other service. If brake work is necessary, invest in quality. The "price" brake job seldom is a bargain. The better grade of friction materials (pads and/or linings), for example, will last longer and perform better than substandard grade. A Quality job will include flushing of the hydraulic system and installation of new, heavy duty fluid. Drums and rotors would be resurfaced; parts worn beyond safe limits replaced. Brake hardware, which includes dozens of springs, bushings and other parts, are subject to rust and corrosion and should be replaced. If safety and peace of mind are not incentive enough for having one's brakes inspected periodically, try this: the cost of waiting too long to renew disk brakes pads could mean an added expense for replacing a pair of damaged rotors. |
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