For the recent posts regarding some car parts, the safeness of a car was being highlighted. For obvious reasons, safety comes first. This does not only apply to cars but almost on everything. Lately, we’ve heard on the new of various car accidents. Almost everyday. Of course, common reasons emerges, it’s either one of the drivers is drunk or worst, both are, unmaintained windshield, careless driver, and problems with brakes. Brakes are pretty much the most important safety paraphernalia of a vehicle. Usually brakes just won’t go out of nowhere, they are needed when one is on the verge of accident. But brakes are commonly used on the everyday life, going to school, to the office, and then suddenly not noticing a sudden stop of the traffic, but thanks to brakes. They are pretty much handy even if one is not caught on the worst possible situation one could ever imagine.

Inspecting your brakes twice annually for possible damage and wear can protect the lives of the passenger and your life at the same time saving your money before the damage demands of the costly one. Basically, on many cars you can easily inspect a brake without removing its wheels. If your car posses an alloy wheels with spaces at the middle, you can get good and enough assessment by just peeping through the holes on your wheel, or just take the wheels off but making sure you have clear view of the brake pads and the big shiny disc.

The Disc

First off in the line of inspection is the disc. The disc should be shiny from the inside up to the outer edge, and it should be in uniform. If you can see some thin lines that’s been clinging to its outline, don’t worry that’s pretty normal. You should only worry yourself if rough spots or grooves are evident in the disc. You SHOULD replace your brake if you value your life. In changing the disc of your vehicle’s brakes, it should be done in pairs in order to not to compromise your car’s drivability and safety.

The Pads

Next, take some look at the pads. You will have to peek up in order to see them, but if you try to follow and trace the surface of the disc on top using your fingers, you will easily see the outside pad touching the disc.  Upon checking, if there is 1/8” or less remaining on the brake pads, then it is a call to change for a new one. 1/8” is about the height two coins stacked. No need to worry yourself upon brake pads, they are cheap and no sweat is required to put these things up.

Finally, are your car’s brake lines. The rubber coated lines is supposed to be soft and supple, outside from that description like cracked and rigid, it needs to be replaced. If you notice cracks in flexible brake lines, replacement is the best option. To include, be sure to check the hard metal lines, these will become eventually corroded, especially on rainy season, the same case here in Cebu.

See below related images for brakes.