While it is important that your fleet vehicle can move forward, it is also imperative that it can stop! Brakes are pretty much the most important safety device on your fleet vehicle. If you’ve ever partially lost your brakes in the past, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your truck. Additionally, it will help you save money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly. The team at Bob’s Truck Repair and Car Care Center can help you set an inspection schedule to ensure your brakes are in top condition at all times. If your fleet vehicle is due for a brake inspection or brake service, bring it to Bob’s Truck Repair and Car Care Center, and our expert team will inspect and diagnose any problems.

Your brake system is comprised of a long list of parts, and all of them are under a great deal of stress much of which depends on how you drive as each of us is very different in that regard.  Some of us are more aggressive than others in both starting and stopping our vehicles, we tend to "ride our brakes" and you may carry heavy loads or pull a trailer which will also impact the life of your brakes. The important aspect of your brakes and what their expected life span is that you are absolutely certain that they are working at 100% when you call on them to stop your vehicle at any given time.The task of stopping a car, truck, or SUV which weighs thousands of pounds is certainly not easy and the last thing anyone wants is to find out their brakes have failed catastrophically.

Trucks are stopped by air brakes (also called compressed air brake systems). These brakes operate when compressed air presses on a piston, which applies pressure to the brake pad. The entire brake system consists of service brakes, parking brakes, a control pedal and an air storage tank. If any of these components fails, it can cause brakes to malfunction, endangering the driver and surrounding vehicles.

What kind of driver are you? Aggressive with hard turns and fast stops?  Stopping the brakes or soft taps?  Your brake life directly ties into how you drive and brake pads will need to be changed more often based on your driving habits and the number of miles you travel.  It isn't just how long it has been since your last brake job.

What brand of brakes did you use last time?   The material in brake pads can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. There are pads that are composites of organic compounds, semi-metallic pads, and ceramic pads, and their wear rates are all different.

Do you often tow a trailer, haul heavy loads, or drive through steep terrain? The extra braking force needed for any of those will wear out brake pads faster. With all that in mind, brake pads typically last anywhere from 35,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on the above factors. What's maybe more important to know, though, is the warning signs that you do need new brakes.

Brake problems come in a variety of forms. Worn brake pads cause squeaking or grinding noises, especially when the brakes are applied, but sometimes constantly. Typically, the sound will vary with the speed of your car, and braking will alter the noise you hear. Bad brakes affect performance too. If you feel like you have to hit the pedal harder than normal to stop your vehicle, the brakes feel weak, or your car pulls to one side whenever you depress the pedal, you likely have a malfunctioning master cylinder, sticking brake caliper, or collapsed hoses. Symptoms may be erratic, sometimes only popping up occasionally, but should not be ignored. Warped or worn rotors damaged by high heat or worn brake pads will cause your car to pulse or vibrate whenever you hit the brakes. This can be damaging to other components, decrease brake performance, and is generally annoying.

Things to watch out for include:

Longer stopping distances.  If it takes longer you have a problem.  
Low brake fluid—your brakes are worn out or you have a leak!
Excessive brake pedal travel.  If you are pushing your brake pedal further towards the floor, there is an issue.
Brake pedal feels "soft" or "spongy" underfoot Vehicle pulls to one side while braking
Pulsation or vibrations through the brake pedal or steering wheel while braking.
The tendency for one or more wheels to lock up and skid while braking means one of your brakes is working harder than the other.  *Your brakes don't always wear at the same pace.
Loud Noises!  Groaning, screeching, squealing, or grinding sound while braking is never a good sign.

When your brake system shows signs of damage, such as decreased reaction time or odd noises when braking, bring your fleet vehicle to Bob’s Truck Repair and Car Care Center for quick, effective service. Our expert team will inspect and diagnose any problems. Our shop can replace brake pads and shoes and resurface your vehicle’s drums and rotors, improving the performance of your brakes. Once the issue is diagnosed, we will fix and resolve the problem quickly and effectively so your fleet vehicle can get on the road again, worry-free.

Whether you're a resident or just visiting our community in Port Huron, Bob's Truck Repair & Car Care Center, you can count on our team of technicians to ensure your brake system is keeping you and your family safe on the roads.

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