Does Your Lincoln Need a Brake Repair?

To keep you and your Lincoln safe, your brakes must always be in good working condition. Parts of the braking system car jam, wear, or break due to usage over time. If any of these things happen, you’ll need a repair. In Abingdon, VA, your Lincoln dealer can help you with any repairs you need. These are a few signs that you’re going to need a brake repair.

Your Car Pulls to One Side

When you hit the brakes, you expect your Lincoln to stop immediately. If your car pulls to one side before it comes to a grudging stop, you have a brake problem. Pressure on the brake pedal pushes brake fluid into the brake hoses. This fluid exerts hydraulic pressure on the brake calipers. These calipers will close either side of the wheel rotors and stop your car.

If your car pulls to one side, this means there’s a problem with the brakes on the opposite side. Hydraulic pressure pushes the pin out of the brake caliper, but a pin can jam and the caliper won’t close. Another possible explanation is that there is a blockage in the brake hose leading to the caliper. This blockage prevents the fluid from exerting pressure on the caliper. Our technicians will check the system for you.

Worn Brake Pads

The brake pads fit inside the calipers, and they provide the friction resistance needed to stop your car. The pads have a friction material covering which acts against the wheel rotors and stops them. The material covering gradually wears off, and eventually, you’ll need to get new brake pads. It’s important to fit new pads when the thickness of the old pas drops to 1/4″ thick.

If you haven’t checked your pads, they’ll still warn you that it’s time to change them. At 1/4″ thick, a metal spike becomes visible in the pad material. This spike will scratch against the metal wheel rotor and produce an awful screeching sound. This is a clear warning that it’s time to change those pads.

The Brake Light Is On

Your car has two brake lights, one represents the ABS, and the other represents your emergency brake. Both of these lights come on when your engine starts and then should go out. If either light stays on, you have a potential problem. It can be easy to forget to release the emergency brake. If this light is on, check and release the brake, which should solve the problem.

The ABS is a safety feature that prevents your wheels from locking if you start to skid. If this light comes on, it means there’s a fault in the system. You can drive with the ABS light on, but it’s advisable to get it checked ASAP. Our technicians will test the ABS and find and fix the cause of the problem.

If your brakes don’t feel right, come in and get them checked at Empire Lincoln.

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