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The braking system in your Ford gives you control over your speed. It allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want. This system, however, requires regular services to keep it in good condition. Driving conditions, the environment, and heat and pressure in the system can all lead to damage. As your Ford dealer, we can repair any problem for you. These are signs that you may need a brake repair soon.
Burning Chemical Smell
If you smell a sickly chemical odor when you brake, this is a sign you have a brake problem. Brake fluid is essential for your brakes to provide the hydraulic power that enables the braking system to function. Brake fluid needs to be changed at regular intervals according to your car manual. If the fluid isn’t changed when it’s due, it will slowly develop problems.
The fluid gradually loses its heat-resistant properties. The pressure in the braking system will heat the fluid, which can start to burn. This produces a chemical smell. It’s important to visit us ASAP before this happens, as burnt brake fluid prevents your braking system from working.
Hard Brake Pedal
You always expect resistance when you step on the brake pedal, but not total resistance. A hard brake pedal is a situation where the brake pedal almost won’t move when you step on it. It requires far more effort than it should depress the pedal. This is dangerous, as it reduces your ability to stop suddenly should you need to.
The hard pedal is caused by the failure of the brake pedal booster. The booster uses a vacuum system to provide 10x human strength to engage the brakes. Any failure of the booster due to wear or damage can compromise the vacuum. If the vacuum is damaged, the booster won’t work. Our technicians can test the booster and install a new one if it’s damaged.
Braking Vibrations
If you feel a vibration through the pedal each time you brake, we need to check your rotors and brake pads. The most likely cause of this problem is worn brake pads. The heat from braking can liquify some of the adhesives on one of the worn pads. The liquid adhesive is then spread across the rotor.
The adhesive will dry very quickly but leaves an uneven surface on the rotor. More adhesive will be added to the surface each time you brake. The vibrations you feel are caused by a brake caliper grabbing an uneven rotor surface. We can replace the damaged pads and clean the rotor to fix the problem.
Worn or damaged brakes are dangerous. Call us today at Gates Ford Lincoln.
Image courtesy of Ford
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