This week, we replaced brakes on a Dodge Charger. They were low, due to normal wear and tear.
But doing a complete brake job doesn’t just consist of putting brake pads in and letting the car go.
When working on the Dodge Charger, we measured the brake rotors and determined if they were machineable.
For most of these vehicles, it’s best to replace the rotors, even if they are machineable. That way, you don’t have to worry about warping or the brake pedal pulsating – which is when the car vibrates as a driver steps on the brake.
We recommend you use a good brake pad. Cheap does not equal good. There are businesses that will offer a lifetime warranty on brake pads, because they are cheap and can be thrown on anytime. However, these places will always find something wrong with your car.
You should also ensure that the caliper slides move. It’s also a good idea to clean them up and use the correct lubrication, so they can move back and forth freely.
During a brake job, our technicians also replace the hardware, if present. Hardware is a spring tension piece of metal located between the brake pad and caliper bracket that prevents the pad from banging back and forth and reduces squealing. It needs to be lubricated correctly, as well.
Making sure the caliper piston boot isn’t torn or leaking is also important.
Once the brake system is reassembled, we test the brake fluid to see if there are any contaminants. Over time, moisture builds up in the brake fluid and old seals and metal cause contaminants to accumulate. That is why we perform brake fluid exchanges.
So, in summary, a complete brake job means:
- Replacing the brake pads and rotors
- Checking the caliper slides
- Replacing the brake hardware
- Performing a brake fluid exchange
- Doing a test drive
