Besides the engine and steering, one of the most essential parts of your truck is the brake system. A lot of truck owners get into trouble when the brakes on their semi-truck fail. If the truck is loaded with cargo, the stopping distance becomes worse with bad brakes.

Make truck brake repair your number one priority as you haul cargo to your clients. Not sure where to begin? read the 9 warning signs that you need a truck brake repair.

Understanding different components of a brake system

When you step on the brake pedal as you are gently cruising down the highway, different components come together to allow your semi-truck to stop. Before you even talk of repair, get to understand what's involved during brake pedal presses.

Disc Brakes

A disc brake attaches to your wheels. It is composed of a disc brake rotor and caliper that hold brake pads. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure pushes the disks to the pad. The friction that is created is what stops or slows down your truck.

When doing repairs, the disc brake and brake pads are often replaced - the caliper hardware is serviced. Most trucks come with a disc brake system on all wheels while others only have it at the front.

Drum brakes

A brake drum system is different from disc brakes. With brake drums, you get a brake drum, brake shoe, wheel cylinder, and brake return springs. Just like disc brakes, hydraulic pressure causes pressure between the drum and shoes resulting in stopping or slowing down.

Master cylinder

A key component in brake systems is a master cylinder. It is what essentially translates the hydraulic pressure from the brake pads through the brake lines to the brake system - either disc brake or drum brake.

Brake fluid

Brake fluid is the liquid that flows through the brake line and carries the hydraulic pressure to the brake pads or drums. It is often referred to as hydraulic fluid. You cannot miss hydraulic fluids in a vehicle's brake system.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

An anti-lock system, better known as ABS, is a security feature in modern vehicles that prevents the brake system from locking your wheels when you brake suddenly. The system uses a speed sensor at the computer-controlled wheel.

9 Warning Signs that you need a truck brake repair

The brake repair warning signs can be broadly divided into looks, sound, and feel of the brake system as follows

Looks

Wear and tear

Most of the braking system components are easily accessible. Feel the disc brakes to feel if they are worn. You can also inspect a brake pad to see if it is worn out. The brake lines or brake hoses are easily accessible for inspection.

You'll need a certified technician to open your brake calipers and remove disc brake rotors for inspection. The same technician will follow the hydraulic brake lines if they are clogged.

Fluid leaks

Hydraulic fluid leaks are bad for your braking system. It means your brake systems lose the required pressure to stop or slow down your truck. It is a good thing brake fluid leaks are easily noticeable. Talk to a certified technician to check the hydraulic lines and all the accompanying brake system components.

Your parking brake will work even if you have fluid leaks.

Sound

Screeching

Do you hear unusual squealing when you apply your truck brakes? That's a good sign of a worn-out brake pad. Braking systems are designed to create a brake noise for worn brakes Get your brakes inspected immediately when you hear squealing brakes.

If you don't replace your pads, your worn brakes will lead to rotor wear - which is more expensive to repair.

Grinding

Another warning sound from your brake system is grinding noise. Grinding noises also signify worn-out brakes. Talk to certified technicians for brake service today and say goodbye to the grinding sound.

Ignoring grinding noises or failing to get brake pad and brake shoes replacements will wear out your rotors. Bear in mind that rotors are more expensive to replace. Grinding noises can also be a result of wheel bearings if not faulty brakes.

Feel

Vibration

Vibration in your wheels when you are driving indicates a serious problem with either your braking system or wheels. For the brake system, your rotors are not even. They may require replacements or be smoothed out by a mechanic.

If the braking rotors in your vehicle are okay, you can check the lug nuts. Lugs nuts that have not been tightened using the right torque settings or not placed in the right order will create a vibration.

Pulling to one side

Is your steering wheel pulling to one side? A vehicle pulls to the right when braking if the wheel cylinder or caliper piston is sticking out. You'll likely smell a burning smell from your vehicle's wheels.

Visit a technician next time your car pulls to one side to keep your vehicle in top shape.

Spongy Brakes

Spongy brakes are bad for emergencies. If you feel your brakes are soft or spongy, get brake service and replace brake pads and brake shoes immediately. Soft brakes signify too much air in the brake lines. Air in the brake lines prevents brake fluid from flowing properly causing a spongy brake pedal.

Have your hydraulic lines and the other braking system components for your vehicle checked to get rid of sponginess.

Performance

Insensitivity

Brake sensitivity varies between different vehicles. However, you can check the brake fluid level to improve sensitivity. Low brake fluid can reduce sensitivity. If the color is black, it is a sign of impending brake maintenance. Get truck repair from competent brake technicians today!

Regularly check the service indicator light to reduce brake issues such as a malfunctioning caliper. If your brake pads and brake shoes are worn, they can feel insensitive and affect your parking brake. The parking brake is highly dependent on rear brake systems.

Slow response

Slow response is similar to spongy brakes. It is a sign that it needs brake repair. monitor your abs light, rotors, brake pads, vehicle's wheels, hydraulic systems, parking brakes, brake caliper, and other components to ensure your braking works well.

Professional truck brake repair

Your vehicle has a lot of moving parts that ensure you get the best service. The braking system is one of the key elements. Truck repair should include your car's brakes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Get your brakes inspected to avoid brake problems. Brake inspection only takes a couple of mins but saves you a lot in brake services.

If your vehicle is part of the national fleet, you'd want to check the above signs to make sure your vehicle remains operational. Get rid of brakes squeal and grinding with timely brake services. Perform brake repairs and brake pad replacement on time to keep your brake rotors, brake pads working perfectly.

Call us today for complete brake pads replacement and brake service for your truck.