Brake Service

Mountain Driving – Why There’s a Burning Smell Coming From Your Brakes

July 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Colorado driving brings all kinds of challenges to drivers. Here in Denver, you’ll deal with ice, snow, heatwaves, flooded roads, and sudden drops in temperatures that can have you turning on your air conditioner and heater all in one day.

One of the greatest challenges comes from mountain driving. You may start out at home in a relatively flat location. Hop on the highway, and in just a couple of hours, you can be climbing thousands of feet, change from dry roads to snow-packed highways, and you’re left navigating it all.

Whether you’re new to Colorado driving, or have been here for decades, it takes some getting used to.

A big challenge comes from navigating up and down the mountain. It takes a lot of power getting up some of those hills. It also takes a lot of power to keep your car under control as you drive down. If you’re driving and you suddenly notice a burning smell from your brakes, what does it mean? You know it’s not good,

Anytime you smell a burning smell while you’re driving, it’s not good. Of course, it can mean different things. Any change in your vehicle should be brought to a mechanic’s attention as soon as possible to ensure it’s not a serious problem.

What could a burning smell from the brakes mean?

When you smell a burning smell coming from your brakes, it can mean a variety of things, depending on what you’re doing at the time you notice it.

Mountain Driving - Why There’s a Burning Smell Coming From Your Brakes

New brakes

If you’ve just picked up your car where new brakes have been installed, it can be a little disheartening when you notice a burning smell as you tap on the brakes just a few miles from the shop. In this case, the burning smell isn’t a bad thing at all. A slight burning smell coming from new brakes is harmless, meaning the resin coating built into the brake pad is coming off, and the brakes are settling into use. Consider this the break-in period to allow your brake pads to adjust to your vehicle.

Different brands and types will have a different break-in period. Some might not smell at all, while others have a noticeable odor for an extended period of time. If you’re not sure, give us a call. We can assure you everything will be alright, or if we feel there may be a problem, we’ll recommend you return so we can check everything out.

Your parking brake may be engaged

We’ve been taught that the parking brake is just for parking, but it actually has a lot more uses than that. The parking brake is part of your overall braking system. When engaged, it presses against the rear brakes with less force than the regular braking pads. It’s a secondary system that was designed as a safety feature in case the braking system failed, yet today it’s primarily used to keep a vehicle in place while parked, especially if you’re on a steep incline.

To engage a parking brake, you usually have one of four types of parking brakes.

Stick lever – this can be located on the steering column of older models
Center lever – located between the two front seats
Foot pedal – located to the left of the other pedals
Push button – located on the console on newer vehicles

Manufacturers suggest using the parking brake as a safety precaution every time you stop. If you follow these guidelines, sometimes the parking brake feature might not disengage all the way when you release it before you start driving again. If so, this brake function is pressing against the rear brakes, and can cause a slight burning smell.

Do you notice other problems? Do you hear a squealing or grinding noise? Are you having trouble accelerating? All can point to a problem with the parking brake releasing.

Brakes are overheating

When you press down on your brake pedal, it engages the brake pads against the rotors, working hard to bring your wheels to a stop. This friction can produce a lot of heat in a short period of time. Aggressive or frequent braking can continually build heat rather than giving the braking system a chance to cool and dissipate some of the heat it’s generated as you drive. Eventually, this can cause the entire system to overheat.

Now think about what happens when coming home from a day in the mountains. It’s miles of road at steep grades bringing you safely down thousands of feet at a rapid pace. Tapping the brakes to slow, over and over again, continues the process of allowing the brakes to generate heat. Especially as you’re navigating a long line of traffic heading in the same direction.

In today’s world, most of us no longer use manual transmissions to get where we’re going. We rely on automatic transmissions to do the work for us. Yet even if you drive an automatic, have you noticed a “2” and “1” on your automatic gear shift? It’s built for these conditions.

Instead of leaving your gears engaged for everyday forward driving, by shifting down to a lower gear, it will take the effort of slowing your vehicle off your braking system, and put it on the power of the engine instead.

If you’re traveling under 50 mph, you can shift into 2nd gear on the fly, meaning you don’t have to pull over. You’ll hear the engine downshift, and the vehicle will begin to safely slow on its own. You need to use the brakes should be significantly reduced.

For an exceptionally steep hill, you can further reduce your speed by moving it into 1st gear – as long as you’re traveling 30 mph or less.

Then eventually move it back into automatic when the steep incline is gone.

Do you notice a burning smell coming from your brakes? Try one of these three techniques and keep a watchful eye out to see if further problems develop. If they do, we’re only a phone call away. Schedule your appointment today, and we’ll ensure your brakes will keep you safe for as long as you own your vehicle.

Here’s What Can Happen If You Drive With Worn Brakes

July 10, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

What’s one of the most important systems on your vehicle? While it’s easy to make a case for several, moving the brake system towards the top of the list is apparent. Imagine sailing down the highway after a day of skiing, only to find your brakes no longer work. That would be a scary experience at best.

Yet a lot can happen to the brake system between being brand new and complete failure. Worn brakes occur after a lot of miles put on your car. It happens over time. And as the miles add up, your brakes deteriorate, they don’t work quite the way they do when they were new.

They also start providing telltale signs they are wearing down. Notice the warning signs and you can fix your brakes long before they present you with a problem.

Understanding the brake system

Before we get into the many ways you’ll start to notice worn brakes, it’s important to understand how a car’s brake system works.

If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle, you have a basic understanding of how a brake system works. A bike has two wheels, with a brake attached to both. To control the speed, you press down on a hand brake, which applies pressure to each wheel and slows it down. The harder you push, the more force is used until eventually, the bike comes to a complete stop.

The same applies to a vehicle, using four wheels instead. Cars have brakes on all four wheels, which is operated through a hydraulic system to make it easy to stop without a lot of work on your part.

Here’s What Can Happen If You Drive With Worn Brakes

When your foot pushes down on the brake pedal, hydraulic force is sent into the system to start the braking process. A piston moves into a cylinder and squeezes hydraulic fluid into the braking system. It moves through a series of brake lines and hoses to lubricate and produce a reaction. Pressure is transmitted to all four brake lines, which forces friction between the brake rotors and brake pads. As this pressure continues, it slows the vehicle until it eventually comes to a full stop.

If any piece of this process starts to wear, it impacts the drive of your car.

Of course, some are more noticeable than others. What can happen if you continue to drive with worn brakes?

You can experience unpleasant sounds and smells

There’s no ignoring worn brakes. That’s by design. One of the most common repairs within the brake system is to replace worn out brake pads. Manufacturers design brake pads with a warning signal built in. As you get towards the end of the brake pad, metal is revealed which, when it connects with the brake rotor, will create a loud squealing sound.

You might also notice a burning smell. If your brakes are new, that burning smell might simply be the resin used in production burning away as the brakes settle in. But if you’ve been driving for a while and you start to notice a burning smell, it can be from other complications. Brake fluid leaking can settle onto the brake pads, and when it’s heated from the friction of stopping, it can produce a burning smell. This is where it pays to know your car well.

You can feel your car vibrate as you brake

When your vehicle is working properly, every process works smoothly. When you tap on the brakes, your vehicle slows until eventually coming to a stop.

But when your brake pads have excessive wear or are damaged in any way, they don’t make a solid connection with the rotors. And without a solid connection, it can trigger an on-off connection, meaning you’ll feel a vibration as it works its way up through the system.

If the car shakes or you feel vibrations through the steering wheel as you apply the brakes, and it stops as you take your foot back off the brake pedal, there’s a good chance it’s time to have your brakes serviced.

You notice it takes longer for your car to come to a complete stop

Remember when your brakes were new? You tapped on the brake pedal and it felt like your car could stop on a dime?

Over the years, you have to apply more pressure to get the same reaction. It’s essential to pay attention to response time. How much give is there as you press on the brake pedal? Do you feel your vehicle slowing with a tap, or are you having to press it all the way down?

If you don’t have as much control through pushing on the brake pedal, it can slow your reaction time, putting you in more danger. If they don’t engage or disengage, the pads aren’t gripping properly or uniformly, which impacts how well you control your car. This can put you in a variety of dangerous positions, especially if you add inclement weather into the mix too.

You notice your tires wearing down

Your tires are one of the most important parts of the brake system. They are what connects your vehicle to the road. Without the proper tire pressure and tread levels, they won’t have gripping power. And that can mean putting you at risk as you drive.

You can do a few things to check your tires. Check the tire pressure at least once a month, more as we move through heatwaves and cold spells. If your car doesn’t have a tire pressure gauge built in, you can check it regularly at your local service station.

You should also do a visual test regularly. Before getting in and driving away, walk around your vehicle and inspect your tires. Is one flatter than the others? Do you see any signs of damage? The faster you take action on potential problems, the better chance you have of fixing it before it needs full replacement.

Keep an eye on tread levels as well. You can do this easily with a penny test. Place a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you into the tread of the shallowest part of the tire. If you can see the top of his head, your tires have worn down and need to be replaced.

Can you drive on worn brakes? You do so every day. But when they reach a point of putting you, your passengers, and others around you at risk, it’s time to take action.

Drum Brakes

June 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Brakes that work properly are essential to your safety. You want to carefully maintain your brakes. In vehicles that are equipped with drum brakes, the brake components are housed inside a drum that rotates with the wheel. When you step on the brake pedal, brake shoes push out against the inside of the drum, slowing the wheel.

Brake shoes will wear away with use from rubbing on the drum as you brake. When it’s time to replace brake shoes, it’s a straight-forward repair.

If you hear squealing or grinding when you are braking, have your service adviser check them out. He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done. He’ll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re working properly.

He can tell you it it’s time to replace the shoes or if there are other issues with your drum brakes that should be addressed. Some people ignore the warning signs and keep on driving long after the shoes are completely worn out. When this happens, metal brake components will grind against the drum, damaging it enough that it must be resurfaced or replaced.

When you push on your brake pedal, the wheel cylinder is activated, and it pushes the shoes against the drum to slow the vehicle. This cylinder, and various springs within the brake, can wear out affecting your ability to stop. The worn components can be easily replaced.

The new shoes we put on your vehicle will restore your brakes to manufacturers’ specifications. Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust. We have several options to meet your braking requirements as well as your budget.

Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and you can also prevent premature brake repairs from happening down the road.

Give us a call or come in and see us and let us know how we can help you.

Brake Check Checklist To Ensure Your Passengers Safety

April 25, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

When it comes to vehicle safety, there are many tasks you shouldn’t ignore. Motor oil is important; experts suggest replacing it about every 3,000 miles. If your tires wear out, not only will they provide a very bumpy ride, but they may also suffer a blowout, putting you and your passengers at risk.

But few would argue at the top of the safety list is your car braking system. The head of the Car Care Council said it best when he stated, “If brake service is neglected, you’re gambling with your safety, and the safety of your passengers and other drivers.”

For all those reasons and more, it’s important to keep a brake check checklist handy, and refer to it from time to time to ensure your car’s braking system is operating the way it should. It’s the best way to keep you and those around you safe and secure.

A good brake check inspection will allow you to recognize when things go wrong, as well as allow you to take action before bigger problems arise. If you have an older car and you haven’t paid much attention to the brakes lately, do this now.

Step 1: Schedule a brake inspection

A car’s brake system is made up of a variety of different components.

The brake master cylinder pushes hydraulic fluid into the brake lines. Most master cylinders have two components for safety reasons, one section to control the front brakes, the other for the rear brake. It works by controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid released in order to maintain the pressure used to slow down the vehicle.

The brake rotor (or brake drum on older cars) spins while the car is operating. The brake pad and caliper push against the brake rotor to cause friction necessary to slow down and stop the vehicle.

In a disc brake system, the brake pad and caliper are used to control the speed by pressing up against a spinning brake disc. Brake calipers provide a clamping force that pushes the brake pad against the rotor.

The alternative to this is a brake shoe that is used for slowing and stopping drum brakes. The brake shoe rubs against the interior of the drum brake to control speed.

The brake pedal is the connector to give you control of how much pressure is applied within the braking system.

Many vehicles today are equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Each wheel has a sensor that detects how fast each wheel is spinning. If your wheels lock and one or more wheel spins at different speeds, the ABS module turns on to help you safely control and stop your car. This is run by an ABS module that programs the speeds and keeps the system working.
Brakes lines move brake fluid throughout the system to allow ease when you tap on the brakes.

While these are the main components of the braking system, there are many more parts that go into making up each individual component. If any of these parts wear down, break, or leak, it can put your braking system in jeopardy.

When you schedule a brake inspection, a mechanic will look at the entire braking system thoroughly. They move through the entire process, ensuring parts are in good condition, fluid is at the right levels, and every piece is working as it should. If you’re heading out on a road trip, this is an important step before you leave to give you added insurance your car is safe for the road.

Step 2: Never ignore warning signs

As a part of your brake check checklist, you should become aware of how your vehicle runs when it’s working at its best. How does it act? How does it sound?

Being aware of what your car sounds like in good working condition will help you pick up on the signs when something goes bad.

Do you hear a squealing, squeaking, or grinding noise? The brake pads are built with an internal indicator to create sound when they reach the end of their lifespan. They provide you with plenty of warnings to schedule an appointment and get your car in for servicing. A grinding noise might also mean dirt or debris has made its way into the brake line, and is causing havoc somewhere within the system. Bringing it in for servicing will allow a mechanic to thoroughly inspect the brakes and make corrections as needed.

Do you feel a vibration in the steering wheel? It could be uneven rotors. As the brake pads apply pressure to each of the four rotors, unevenness will send shockwaves through the system, and present itself as wobbling or a vibration.

Do you notice a spongy or soft brake? Over time, it can take more pressure applied to the brake pedal to slow and stop your vehicle. This could be a leak in the brake lines, or a problem with the master cylinder. This is also a sign you should schedule servicing as quickly as possible.

Do you smell something burning? If your brakes overheat as you use them, they have a sharp chemical smell you can’t miss. If your brakes get too hot, it can cause brake failure, meaning you’ll be driving without braking assistance. It’s important to pull over to safety immediately, and get your brake system checked out.

Step 3: Use your brakes correctly

This sounds almost obvious, but some drivers consistently put too much pressure on their vehicle’s braking system.

Speed is the enemy. If you drive too fast, follow too closely, and often find yourself slamming on the brakes, you’re putting too much pressure on the brake system. You’ll replace brake pads and other parts more frequently than if you slow down and drive less aggressively.

Coast when you can. Don’t hurry up just to stop again. And avoid being a two-footed driver. Having constant pressure on the brake pedal means your brake pads wear out that much faster.

If the brake warning light illuminates, don’t ignore it. Schedule your appointment with a mechanic today.

Step 4: Find a mechanic you can trust

While a trip to the service station often ends with you spending money on car repair, if you get to know your local mechanic, you can work in partnership to keep your vehicle safe.

If you have any questions about how to extend the life of your brake system, and how to get the most out of the parts you install, we’re here to provide the answers. Just call.

When Should You Use Your Parking Brake

April 10, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Your car’s braking system is one of the most essential mechanisms built in for safety. Imagine driving down the mountain after a day of skiing without it. Even coming to a stop for a stoplight would be a harrowing experience if something were to go wrong.

While your front and rear brakes make up the most important part of the braking system, there’s a third brake that doesn’t get as much attention yet is equally important: the parking brake. The parking brake is connected to the rear brake system, and is used mainly as a failsafe if something were to happen to your brakes during your normal drive.

The parking brake is a secondary brake system that is designed to be independent of the front and rear brakes. This is your safety feature. You’ll find the control for your parking brake in one of four places:

Center console – it’s a lever located between the two front seats
Foot pedal – it’s a pedal located on the floor on the far left of all other pedals
Stick – in older vehicles, you may find the emergency parking brake lever located on the instrument panel
Push button – on newer vehicles, a push button exists on the console with other components

The mechanism is available for easy access.

If you drive a manual transmission, you may be used to using a parking brake to keep your car from rolling. But that doesn’t make a parking brake on an automatic transmission any less important. In truth, everyone should be familiar with the uses of a parking brake, and utilize it to make your driving experience safer.

How a parking brake works

Your vehicle’s brakes are designed to bring your car to a stop. The more pressure you apply to the brake pedal, the more tension is transferred from the brake pad to the wheel, slowing your car until it eventually stops.

When you engage the parking brake, discs inside your rear wheel squeeze up against the inner part of the wheel in much the same way. This action slows the wheel, eventually stopping it and keeping it from rolling away.

While parking brakes work in a slightly different manner from vehicle to vehicle, to engage the parking brake, fully engage the rear brake system by pressing down on the brake pedal. Only then should you pull the lever or press the button for the parking brake system. Once the parking brake is in place, shift your car into park. Then release the brake pedal. This allows the hydraulic system to activate and do its work without putting added stress on the transmission.

Why your vehicle has a parking brake

In everyday situations, you might be tempted to only utilize your vehicle’s braking system. When you place your vehicle in park, a parking pawl is pushed into one of the grooves of the transmission gear to keep it from moving. A parking pawl is nothing more than a hammer-shaped pin that drops into place. While it might be enough force in everyday situations, it can weaken over time, especially if you’re on steep inclines or hills. One small pin stopping a several ton vehicle will only work for so long.

If you don’t use your parking brake regularly, this parking pawl weakens over time. That can impact your transmission system, or cause accidents as your vehicle rolls away. That can lead to expensive repairs.

Get in the practice of using your parking brake

Even if you infrequently drive, even if you park in relatively flat areas across the Front Range, your vehicle can still be at risk. If you’re putting your car in park, it’s a good idea to engage the parking brake too.

We advise using a parking brake no matter where you park your vehicle, but especially as your risk level increases.

Are you parallel parking on a hill? Engage your parking brake.

Are you filling up your vehicle at a gas station? Engage your parking brake.

Will you be leaving your car in a parking garage for hours at a time while you head into the office? Engage your parking brake.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. And a parking brake gives you added insurance to ensure your vehicle stays safe.

In many cases, people refer to a parking brake as an emergency brake. That title may be a bit misleading, making you think you only need it in emergency situations. The parking brake not only keeps your vehicle from moving, but it also saves your transmission from wear and tear. And that can save on repair bills down the road.

Using a parking brake in an emergency

Your car’s braking system is a complex mechanical system. Over time, it can fail, and that could be catastrophic depending on where it happens. That’s where the emergency brake comes into play. If you’ve ever referred to the parking brake as an emergency brake, this is why.

In the case of brake failure, you have seconds to react. A natural reaction is to stomp on the parking brake pedal, or pull up on the parking brake lever as hard as possible. Resist that urge. That will send your car into a tailspin, and possibly put you in even more danger.

Instead, slowly engage the emergency brake as your car comes to a stop. The parking brake is designed to hold your car in place, not stop it. As it engages, it slows your vehicle down until the point you can gain control.

Get a full brake inspection

If the concept of using your parking brake regularly is still new to you, put it into practice today. It can help your vehicle have a longer lifespan, as well as keep it safer over time.

Have a question about how well your brakes work? It’s time for a complete brake inspection. It’s the easiest way to determine how safe your entire braking system really is. By bringing it in, we can tell you how much wear is left on your brake pads, and give you tips on better driving and maintenance. If you pinpoint issues early, you’ll stay safer in the long run.

When was the last time you had a full brake inspection?

Is It Time To Replace The Brake Fluid?

March 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

As drivers, we put a lot of trust in our brakes. We assume they’ll work in every road condition. We trust in their abilities as we pull up to a stoplight, and think nothing about the process as we slow down for traffic.

But when you experience brake failure, fear runs through your veins. You apply pressure to the brake pedal and nothing is there. Ever had that happen when you hit a patch of ice?

As Coloradoans, we’ve learned to pay attention to driving conditions, especially in the winter. We slow down on icy roads, and become more cautious as the snowpack builds.

What about brake failure? Under the best of conditions, your brakes will only last so long. Over time, parts wear down, fluids leak, and defects become more prominent, until you reach a point where they aren’t performing the job as best as they can.

That’s when you face more risk, and potential failure.

What is brake fluid?

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluids are designed to provide energy transmission, which permits work and motion throughout the system. Hydraulic fluid is responsible for lubrication as well as heat transfer, and will prevent contaminants from entering inside the system.

Today’s modern vehicles wouldn’t work without the use of hydraulic fluids. In the brake system, it transfers force into the system, and amplifies the braking force.

Brake fluid operates under high temperatures and high pressure. It’s what gives you ease when you press down on your brake pedal, yet adds power to the process and brings your vehicle to a stop. That makes brake fluid one of the most important fluids you’ll find inside your vehicle. Without the right amount, the right kinds, and in the right condition, your vehicle would cease to run.

How do you know if your brake fluid isn’t operating well?

Like every system inside your vehicle, the brake system is designed with safeguards to warn you of potential problems. Pay attention to these signs. They will tell you when it’s time to replace your brake fluid.

ABS icon lights up

Luckily, today’s vehicles come with a computerized system that senses when changes occur within. When a problem is detected, the sensor triggers a light to the icons on your dashboard.

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. This light is designed to trigger when brake fluid is low or contaminated. When you see it, it’s a sign you need to bring your vehicle in for an inspection, and have a mechanic either top off your brake fluid, or replace it altogether.

Brake pedal operation

The brake system is designed to slow down and come to a complete stop with little pressure from you. As you tap the brake pedal, the action takes place quickly as hydraulic fluid transfers and adds power to the system.

When you press down and notice the action takes more effort, it’s a clear indication the brake fluid isn’t fully operational. It may be contaminated. It may be leaking somewhere in the system. That loss means you need to apply more pressure to get the job done.

If you notice a softer touch, you push down with little action at all, it’s essential to bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. This is a clear indication of a leak within the system.

Noises

When systems aren’t fully operational, you’ll find they make strange noises. They do so because parts don’t operate correctly, and action starts to shut down.

If contaminants are in the system, they can do a lot of damage to the system. Clogged lines, frozen caliper pistons, leaks in the seals, and master cylinder failure all create unique noises as they degrade due to lack of lubrication.

If your brakes make any noise at all, don’t take chances. Schedule an inspection as soon as possible to ensure they remain operational.

Problems with the brake pads

When was the last time you replaced your brake pads? Have you checked them and discovered they still have wear left on them, but your car is still making noises when you apply the brake pedal? It might be the brake fluid instead.

If the brake fluid is low, or if it’s contaminated with dirt and debris, it can impact the connection the brake pads make with the wheel, causing a squealing, grinding, or squeaking noise.

A burning smell

Have you ever slammed on the brakes and noticed a burning smell? Or if you ride your brakes coming down the mountain, is a chemical odor noticeable? It’s associated with hard braking, and is a sign of overheating with the brake system.

When you notice this, pull over immediately to allow your brakes to cool. If they continue operating at high temperature levels, you risk overheating the brake fluid. That’s one of the most common reasons for brake failure.

If you smell anything or see smoke, it’s a sign you might need new brake fluid. And there’s a potential for other damage in the braking system too.

How long does brake fluid last in a car?

When is the last time you read your owner’s manual? It’s not something most of us read on a regular basis. Yet it gives you guidelines for how best to operate your vehicle, including when to change your brake fluid.

There is no set time to change brake fluid. It doesn’t operate in the same manner as motor oil. It’s based on how the car was manufactured, as well as how you operate your vehicle.

A good rule of thumb is to check it regularly, even have it checked at the time you’re having your motor oil replaced. It often can last at least four to five years, or even longer. There is a benefit to using a local mechanic who gets to know you and your car well. You can establish a maintenance routine that both you and your car depend on to keep your vehicle in good operating condition.

When was the last time you had your brake fluid checked, topped off, or replaced?

Brake Shoes – Here’s What You Need To Know

February 14, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

When you put on a pair of shoes, you use them to move freely. A pair of running shoes can help you travel far distances, and even dress shoes can take you out for a night on the town.

When it comes to your vehicle, brake shoes serve a different purpose. Not all cars have brake shoes, but they are an essential element for some braking systems.

What are brake shoes?

Brake pads are one of the most common elements of a modern braking system. When brake pads are used, they are squeezed together by a caliper, pushing against a rotor disc, which is how they were named “disc brakes.” It’s the brake pads that create friction – energy – to control and stop a car.

But not all cars use disc brake systems. Some use drum brakes instead.

For a drum brake system, brake shoes are used to slow down a vehicle. Brake shoes are crescent-shaped with a rough material on one side. They sit inside a brake drum, and as the brake pedal adds pressure, they are forced outward, pushing against the brake drum to stop the vehicle.

With the popularity and ease of disc brakes, drum brakes are lessening and are usually found only on older cars. However, some vehicles do include drum brakes on the rear wheels of a vehicle in an attempt to lower the cost of manufacturing.

What are brake shoes made from?

Like brake pads, brake shoes are made from organic and metallic materials, tough enough to survive the friction required for the braking process. These materials are bonded together to keep them from shedding or breaking under intense heat and pressure. This material is packed into the brake shoe, and is created to fit precisely within the brake drum as well as the contact surface of the cylinder pistons.

If your vehicle uses brake shoes, they most likely sit only in the rear wheels. The drum brakes often incorporate the parking or emergency mechanism within the system as well.

What are the differences between brake shoes and brake pads?

Because a disc brake system in general, has more controlled stopping force when braking, they are almost always found on the front wheels of modern day vehicles. However, there are other differences between brake shoes and brake pads.

Braking action – one of the biggest differences between the two comes from the force they use to put braking in action. Brake shoes create force by pushing outward towards the drum. Brake pads squeeze together to connect with the rotor.

Stopping power – even though brake shoes are sized somewhat larger than most brake pads, they require more friction to bring the vehicle to a stop. That’s why disc brakes have increased in popularity, and you’ll find them used at the front of the vehicle, to allow the car to stop sooner with less force.

Lifespan – brake pads tend to wear faster because they are at the front of the vehicle, which absorbs more of the force of the braking process. Additionally, brake shoes are enclosed within the brake drum, giving them more protection from the elements, meaning they won’t rust, corrode, or wear down at the same rate as brake pads.

Service – brake shoes are enclosed within the brake drum, meaning they will stay cleaner longer, and require less maintenance overall. However, drum brakes still require servicing to ensure they are working at their best. In some ways, drum brakes are a more complex system, meaning they are more difficult to replace.

Whether you have disc brakes, drum brakes, or both, none are immune to wear. Typically, you’ll find that servicing brake pads to be a faster job. Brake shoes may also require adjustments over time to ensure they are properly connecting with the drum.

The key, no matter what type of braking system you use, is to have them checked regularly. Your braking system is one of the most important systems on your vehicle – ensure they are always working at their best.

What causes brake shoes to fail?

Brake shoes usually fail for one of two reasons:

They fail from normal wear, caused by friction over time.
They are contaminated. This is usually caused when an axel leaks oil into the drum container.

As the brake shoes wear down, they produce a few symptoms to alert you they are failing.

Noise – like every part of your vehicle, brake shoes will make noises as they reach their end of life. When a brake shoe is worn, it will produce a scraping noise as the shoe contacts the drum. If a brake shoe is dusty, it can change the way the materials connect with one another, producing a squeaking noise instead.

Lack of response – as the brake shoe wears down, it will have to move closer to the drum in order to accomplish the same action. You’ll push down harder on the brake pedal to come to a full resting stop. The longer this goes on, the more dangerous it can be, especially when you reach highway speeds and have to come to a quick stop.

Loose parking brake – because the drum brakes also house the emergency brake, when you notice a loose parking brake, it can be a sign of brakes failing. As the brake shoes become worn or dusty, they may not hold the weight of the vehicle without slipping. Even after you apply the emergency brake, you might notice it rolling. Of course, this could be just a problem with the parking brake. But this provides you with time to get your braking system inspected to ensure the system is working at its best.

What’s your next step?

Whether you use brake pads, brake shoes, or a combination of the two, it’s important to note that neither will last forever.

Have your braking system regularly inspected, especially as you’re nearing the manufacturer’s guidelines on the lifespan of your braking system. If you notice one of the warning signs, it’s another reason to have your braking system checked out.

We’ll help you keep your car on the road, and ensure you have a safe vehicle for you and your family to drive.

How can we help you today?

Why Your Pickup Truck Should Have Good Brakes

January 14, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

One of the most essential systems built into any vehicle is the braking system. But for a pickup truck, good brakes are critical.

Imagine flying down the mountain after a weekend of camping, only to find your brakes don’t work. That can be extra scary if your boat or camper is attached and trailing behind you.

Or maybe your sailing down the highway, a bed filled with building materials for your next project. All that extra weight adds strain to your braking system, and you discover they aren’t working quite the way you anticipated when traffic comes to a sudden halt. That can put you in a very messy and dangerous situation.

Pickup trucks that tow need better brakes

That might not come as a surprise, but let’s talk about why pickup trucks that tow need a different braking system.

Any time you add weight onto a vehicle, it changes the operating conditions of the vehicle itself. That large load you pile into the bed, the boat you attach to the back end, or even just adding a larger tire/wheel combination will change the vehicle’s dynamics. Because the pickup truck no longer operates as it was designed, it may also change the functionality of the braking system. When that happens, it’s a good idea to have the entire braking system evaluated to determine if it’s reacting well to the conditions it’s put under on a daily basis.

One of our mechanics can help you select brakes for:

Better stopping power
Noise reduction
Lower brake dust residue
Reduce vibration
A faster break-in time frame
Longer life overall

The other reason brakes are important

A small pickup will have gross weight of anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 pounds. If you have a heavy duty pickup, gross weight can move up to 7,000 to 12,000 pounds. While manufacturer specs are needed to properly define actual weight, in any case you move a lot of mass around every time you sit behind the wheel.

Compare that to the average sedan on the road today, weighing in at 3,350 pounds, or the average SUV that weighs 4,800 pounds.

That makes the braking system on any pickup truck, especially if they are towing and adding weight to their load, even more important. You’re putting more than the risk of your passengers and load at risk every time you drive.

Maintain your pickup truck brakes properly

Whether your pickup truck uses disc pads at every wheel, or uses drum shoes in the rear, ensure they are working well by scheduling regular inspection and replacement. Depending on how you use your vehicle, your brakes may wear faster and not have as long a useful life as listed on the brake’s guidelines. Unlike motor oil, there isn’t a specific service guideline you should follow.

Brake pads come with wear indicators. They are designed to provide safety tactics built into the pads themselves. Just like on your family car, as the brake pad wears, it will reach the indicator, touch the rotor, and squeal when enough material has worn away.

Some brake pads used on pickup trucks may also have a wear bar that allows you to visually see how much material has worn away. Check this periodically to ensure there is plenty of pad left for normal driving conditions.

Keep in mind that brake pads are only part of your braking system. The rotors themselves can eventually wear down and need to be replaced. This can be more difficult to see, which is why it’s important to schedule regular maintenance visits with your local mechanic.

Is it important to buy the best brakes on the market?

As consumers, we often learn the “good, better, best” approach to purchasing often means we choose the product that costs the most to get the best product. With your pickup truck brakes, that’s not always the case.

According to Consumer Reports, the average stopping distance for compact pickups is 136 feet going from 60 mph back down to zero. Full sized pickups take approximately 140 feet. Compare that sports cars that can stop on average at 120 feet, or even a small luxury car that will stop at 131 feet.

While these are averages, it still brings into question the importance of being able to stop your vehicle easily, to avoid tragic consequences when maneuvering in day to day traffic.

Cheap brakes can have a host of problems. Pull up Youtube and you can search and find all sorts of videos showing you the consequences of installing cheap brake pads. Budget brake pads can experience glue failure. The material can break down easily under stressful situations. The material can separate from the brake pad plate with high amounts of heat – something that can quickly happen if you’re towing a large load and sailing down a mountain pass.

That being said, you don’t necessarily have to go to the other extreme and search for the most expensive brake pad you can find. Instead, it’s best to stick with a brand name with a proven track record, and rely on regular inspections to ensure your brakes are working fine.

Is it time for brake replacement?

Consider what you do during the year. Do you use your pickup truck for work? Do you carry heavy loads? Do you use it regularly to haul boats, campers, and other recreational equipment on your weekend getaways? Do you put hundreds – or thousands – of miles on your truck each season?

Then think for a moment how you drive. Are you slow and careful at every turn? Would you describe your driving as aggressive?

If you push your brakes and use them regularly while driving, your brake pads will have a shorter lifespan.

On the other hand, if you apply the brake pedal gradually, leaving plenty of space around you in all driving conditions, your brakes may last the lifespan suggested by the manufacturer.

This can help you decide how often to bring your pickup truck in for an inspection.

It can also help us make better recommendations for keeping you safe.

Good brakes are vital for any vehicle, but especially a pickup truck. For the safety of your passengers and the vehicles around you, be sure to get your braking system checked regularly.

It May Be Time To Replace Your Master Cylinder

December 10, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

When you get in your car and head out for the day, you have a lot on your mind. You might be thinking about the meeting you’re attending, or what errands you need to run on your way home.

What we don’t think about is the trouble we might face a few miles down the road. We assume our cars will work, and will protect us in the event of something going wrong.

How about your braking system? Think it’s working okay on your vehicle? A study put out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that 22 percent of accidents were caused by brake-related issues. That means they didn’t function correctly, and were the major cause of why the accident occurred.

The braking system is one of the major systems of your vehicle. And at the heart of the braking system is the master cylinder, in charge of sending brake fluid down through the brake lines to the brake caliper. This allows the caliper to control the brake pads, squeezing against the rotors to slow your vehicle down, keeping it in control and safe as you move throughout your day.

Like every part of your braking system, the master cylinder will only last for so long. And when it does, it causes disruption in the system and puts your vehicle at risk.

Luckily, there are warning signs to watch for before your master cylinder goes bad.

What is a master cylinder?

Before we get into some of the potential problems with your master cylinder, let’s get a clearer understanding of its importance to the brake system.

The brake system moves into action as you step on the brake pedal. Through hydraulics, the force of the brake pedal moves pressurized brake fluid through the line, down into the caliper. The caliper then squeezes the brake pads at each wheel into the brake rotor, which in turn causes friction at the base. This action is what slows down the wheel rotation, bringing it eventually to a stop.

None of this would be possible without the master cylinder providing the brake fluid into the braking system. If something is wrong with the master cylinder, it shows up in the form of a braking system that doesn’t work as intended.

The brake pedal is connected to a pushrod. By applying pressure to the brake pedal, it pushes the pushrod deeper into the master cylinder. Inside are two pistons and spring, which move into action as the pushrod connects.

Inside is a reservoir of brake fluid, which floods the master cylinder during this process. The reservoir stays shut when in motion, but as the pushrod releases the ports to the reservoir, it causes the fluid to rush in.

This fluid follows the brake line until it eventually sets the calipers into motion. As you release the brake pedal, the springs pop back into place, and the braking system returns to its original position, waiting for your next movement.

Signs of problems with the master cylinder

Just by understanding how the braking system works should allow you to see where potential problems can begin. This also helps you keep a watchful eye on ways to prevent problems before they start.

Brake pedal feels spongy

This is one of the easiest symptoms to notice. As you drive your car, notice how things feel when everything is running well. Then do a quick assessment every time you slip behind the wheel. Do you see differences from the last time you drove? Stepping on the pedal should always be a responsive move. If it feels squishy, almost like stepping on a sponge, it could be a problem with the master cylinder. The brake pedal may also sink closer to the floor, and not pop back into its regular position. This happens because of a problem with the seal inside. If they are worn or damaged, they can allow fluid to leak. That means there won’t be enough pressure to squeeze the pads into place.

Brake fluid is low

While you don’t need to replace your brake fluid regularly like you do motor oil, it can eventually be low enough it needs a refill. Different cars have different requirements. The easiest way to tell how often your brake fluid needs replacing is to check with your car’s manufacturer, or read your owner’s manual. Then stick with a schedule, and be sure to replace it in a timely manner. Without brake fluid, you could have total brake failure. That’s dangerous at best.

Brake warning light

Luckily, today’s vehicles are designed to give you advanced warning of potential problems. If you have a newer car, chances are it’s designed with pressure sensors that will alert you if brake fluid levels drop too low. Some cars have a “brake light” indicator, while others may illuminate a “check engine” light that can mean many different things. Don’t ignore warning lights. Stopping by and allowing us to check for potential problems can alert you to small problems that are easily fixed, avoiding bigger, more expensive problems down the road.

Fluid contamination

While the master cylinder is designed to be an enclosed system, as it wears down, seals can be damaged and allow contaminates inside. This usually coincides with a brake pedal that loses responsiveness, but you can also pay attention to the brake fluid color. Brake fluid is clear, possibly with a slight yellow tint. If it darkens to brown or black, then there may be a problem with the brake fluid. You might also notice gunk forming along the master cylinder casing.

What does it mean to replace a master cylinder?

The cost of replacing your master cylinder depends on the make and model of your vehicle.

If you catch the problem early enough, it may be a simple process of flushing your braking system and inputting fresh, clean brake fluid back into the system.

If the master cylinder has sustained damage or is worn from age, it might be time to replace it altogether. This is something one of our mechanics can help you with, and make suggestions for the best way to repair your car and keep it safe.

Don’t ignore your master cylinder. At the first sign of trouble, stop by and have your brake system evaluated. It’s better to stop potential problems quickly and avoid bigger problems down the road.

Anti-Lock Brakes or Power Brakes – What’s The Difference?

November 29, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

On the simplest of terms, brakes are easy to understand. When you apply brakes, they help slow you down. Keep applying pressure and eventually, you’ll come to a complete stop.

Everything in motion uses some type of braking system. You’ll find it on heavy machinery, airplanes, bicycles, and of course, cars.

Depending on how old your car is, and how familiar you are with automotive history, you might be familiar with two types of braking systems on a car: power brakes and anti-lock brakes. What’s the difference? Why does it matter? And is one more preferable over the other?

Before we dive into that, let’s look a little deeper into how the braking system works.

How brakes on today’s cars work

If you want to slow down or come to a stop, you apply pressure to the brake pedal, and it goes into action. But while you can feel the motion taking place, a lot more is going on than you can see.

The brake pedal is connected to a rod that connects to the vehicle’s master cylinder, which is then bolted to a firewall. If you have power brakes, this rod is first bolted to a vacuum booster, which is then connected to the firewall.

This rod works as a piston inside the master cylinder. When the rod is pushed into place, it forces brake fluid through the lines. This creates action at the brake caliper level, which forces brake pads against the brake rotors, which slows the vehicle down. It’s the friction of this process, the connection between the brake pad and the brake rotor on the wheel that makes the vehicle slow down.

Understanding power brakes

If you went back in time, the braking process was rudimentary at best. Todays’ brakes are built around Pascal’s law of hydraulics, which is the law of fluids in motion and how they can be used to increase force. Pascal’s law states that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in confined fluid, there is an equal increase in pressure at every point inside the container.

That law has been transferred many times as the modern day braking system was designed and refined.

Power brakes were initially developed for heavy vehicles during WWII. It made this machinery easier to slow down and stop.

An engine naturally generates a great deal of vacuum. The concept of power brakes is designed to siphon off some of that power, and store it in a booster that is created to help with the braking process. By stepping on the brake pedal, this vacuum multiplies the effort your foot puts towards the pedal, making the entire braking process easier, with more power.

Vacuum boost power brakes became by far the most popular type of assisted brakes. That’s because it puts more power throughout the application of brake fluid, and less effort from the operator. It’s a simple system that’s reliable at the same time.

But of course, through invention and ingenuity, there is always room for improvement.

Understanding anti-lock brakes

Even as an experienced driver, there are times when your reaction speed doesn’t match the level of intensity you’re experiencing. You have to make split-decisions in order to keep your vehicle safe and on the road.

Accidents occur. And that made inventors go back to the drawing board, looking for ways to improve on the power brake system.

Even as an experienced driver, if something jumps out in front of you, or you face immediate danger, the natural reaction is to find yourself jumping on the brake pedal.

This is how anti-lock brakes, or ABS, were developed. It’s designed to prevent the wheels from locking up, which helps keep a grip on the road.

Anti-lock was first created for aircraft back in the 1950s. Sensors were used to monitor the rotational speed of each wheel, and send it in real time back to a processor. This processor controls a series of valves that meter the braking effort and force level used at each wheel. If one wheel slows down more than the others, or is on the verge of locking up and skidding, the processor reduces the hydraulic pressure in that brake line to stop the situation from happening. This works exceptionally well on wet pavement, where the car can go into a dangerous skid.

ABS reduces the risk of skidding even when you, the driver, faces excessive potential problems. Your instinct is to stop the car as quickly as possible, but with ABS, it judges how to do so safely given the current conditions. That is why it’s important to leave ample distance around you to allow ABS to do its job. Cars with ABS:

Are less likely to be in fatal accidents
Are less likely to have frontal collisions on wet or dry roads

That is why they are a standard feature on all of today’s vehicles.

Ensure your anti-lock brakes work through regular maintenance

Anti-lock brakes are designed to be there when you need them most. That means they require occasional maintenance to ensure they keep working their best.

One of the simplest steps you can take is by keeping your car clean. Brakes that are dirty, caked with oil and grime, can’t function how they were designed. Occasional washes are a good way to keep your car looking great and running equally as well.

You should also avoid overusing your anti-lock braking system. ABS isn’t something that was designed for daily use. The more aggressively you drive, the more chances you take while out on the road. Drive with care. Stay back from the vehicles in front of you so you have more time to react. Take extra care if the driving conditions change. Stay off the roads if you can avoid it in inclement weather.

You may also need to have the ABS speed sensors calibrated from time to time. Over time, they can become misaligned. One of our experienced mechanics can access the computer system at different speeds to reset and calibrate each sensor at each wheel. This should be done yearly, or any time you have maintenance work performed on your braking system.