Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Commercial Truck Brake Repairs - Don't Let it Wait

When cash is tight, or you're just trying to run a business, it's important to find ways to save money whenever you can.  But some expenses should never be put off, such as vehicle brake repairs.  The risks to your own Mitsubishi, Isuzu or Hino freightliner trucks, as well as to others are simply too great.  Here’s why:

1. Brake problems quickly get worse when not taken care of.  When pads wear past a certain point, they make a scraping sound that can be heard by the driver.  This is the time to get the car into the shop. If you decide to wait to fix the problem, the worn pads begin to affect the brake drums or brake rotors, cutting deep gouges into them that can’t be repaired.  At that point the only option is to replace the damaged components with new ones—an expensive proposition that could have been avoided had the owner put the car in the shop at the first sign of trouble.

2. Having a driver’s license is a privilege, not a right.  And like all privileges, it comes with certain responsibilities, like helping to ensure the safety of other motorists.  When you drive with bad brakes you greatly increase yours odds of getting in a wreck.  That doesn’t just pose a hazard to you; it also creates risks for other drivers.

Related: What Drivers Should Know About Brake Problems

We urge you not to take chances with failing brakes. After the winter storms we have seen this year, chance are you've put a lot of pressure on your brakes and you need to repair them. Your life may literally depend on it.

Here are a few signs that you may need to get your brakes repaired:

Brake Light
If the ABS warning light on the dashboard of your truck turns on, it could mean a lot of different things. The vehicle could be low on brake fluid or there could be a malfunction in the brake system. Before you start to worry, check to make sure the parking brake is released. If the light turns off after it’s fully released, the system is operating normally. If not, you should check your brakes for problems and get them repaired immediately.

Increased Stopping Time
If you find yourself braking earlier than you usually do in order to avoid an accident, it’s a good idea to check those brakes.

Worn Pads
Everyday wear on your brake pads is normal. But when they wear out completely, they can cause expensive damage to your brake rotors. For continued safe and efficient driving, know when it’s time to have your pads replaced and stick to the schedule. If you wait and drive on worn brake pads, it could cause some serious damage and increase your stopping distance, making your drives a potential hazard for all.

Related: Top 10 Foundation Brake Problems

Strange Sounds
Some brakes are equipped with sensors that emit a high-pitched squealing sound as pads get too thin. The sound is loud enough to hear from inside the car with the windows up, and it should be taken seriously. If you hear your brake sensors squealing, check them as soon as you can. Your brakes can also make a much harsher noise. It sounds like metal grinding on metal. In fact, that’s exactly what it is. If your pads wear down all the way, you will be left with just the pad backing plates pressing against the brake rotor to stop the truck.

Finally, there are catastrophic failures caused by a sudden loss of brake fluid. Unfortunately, it is occurring more frequently as transportation departments increasingly use corrosive chemicals to treat roads in the winter.

You will always need to check your brakes regularly. Knowing when and why can be helpful and in the end save you money.


Search our New & Used Brake Parts Now

If you or a co-worker needs replacement brakes or brake parts (booster, cable, calipers, rotor, etc.)  for your medium or heavy duty commercial truck, call us at (803) 564-3228 or (877) 564-6307. If you have any difficulties getting through our phone system, please use our Contact Form or Parts Request Form, or email sales@busbeetruckparts.com.

We have hundreds of Salvaged Medium Duty Trucks and Commercial Box Trucks for Parts including: Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, UD, and GMC. With thousands of parts, including our most popular Isuzu NPR Truck Parts, we should have any part that you need in stock. Our sales professionals will be glad to assist you.  We are located at 4107 Festival Trail Rd, Wagener, SC 29164.


Be sure to Subscribe to the Busbee Blog for more helpful tips and tricks for safe and easy driving. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for our Free Monthly Newsletters.

No comments:

Post a Comment