Five signs your brakes need a check

Brakes wear slowly, so the warning signs creep up on you. These are the five we see most often in the workshop, starting with the least urgent.

1. A high squeal when you stop

Most brake pads have a small metal tab that touches the disc when the pad is nearly worn out. The squeal is that tab. It is not dangerous yet, but book a check within the next couple of weeks.

2. A grinding sound

Grinding means metal on metal: the pad is gone and the backing plate is cutting into the disc. Every stop now damages the disc. Drive gently and book as soon as you can.

3. The pedal feels soft or sinks

A spongy pedal usually means air or water in the brake fluid, or a leak. Brake fluid absorbs water over time, which is why we change it every two years. If the pedal sinks towards the floor, stop driving and call us.

4. The car pulls to one side when braking

A sticking caliper or uneven pad wear makes one wheel brake harder than the other. You may also smell hot brakes after a short drive.

5. A shaking steering wheel

Vibration through the wheel or the pedal when you brake from speed often means warped discs. It is common after long downhill runs, like the road down to the Dead Sea.

What we check

A brake check covers pad thickness, disc condition, fluid level and moisture, hoses and the handbrake. It takes about 30 minutes and you get photos of what we find on WhatsApp.