5 Signs Your Brakes Are Going Out

If you drive a diesel truck for commercial purposes, then you’re well aware of how important your brakes are.

Your brakes are what allow you to safely stop your vehicle, no matter how heavy it may be.

Without a functional brake system, you could find yourself in a very dangerous situation — for yourself and the drivers around you. Keeping your brakes maintained, and getting brake repair when necessary, is essential for all drivers.

So, how can you tell if you’re having brake problems? Here are 5 signs to look for:

Your Truck Takes Longer to Stop Than It Used to

If your vehicle is taking longer to stop than it used to, that’s a pretty clear sign that your brakes are going out.

The reason this starts to happen is that the parking brake pads begin to wear thin, and they don’t have as much contact with the rotors.

This means it takes longer for the truck to slow down or stop.

If you notice this happening, you should take your truck to a mechanic as soon as possible to have the brakes checked.

You Hear Grinding or Squealing When You Brake

If you hear grinding or squealing when you brake, it’s definitely time to have your brakes checked.

This happens when the brake pads are completely worn out, and they’re no longer making contact with the rotors.

At this point, the metal of the pads is grinding against the metal of the rotors, which is why it makes that loud noise.

It’s important to get this fixed right away because if you keep driving with worn-out brake pads, you could damage the rotors beyond repair.

Your Brake Pedal Feels “spongy” or Soft When You Press on It

This is also due to worn-out brake pads.

When the pads are worn out, they can’t create enough friction to stop the wheels, so you have to press the pedal down further to get them to work.

This is dangerous because it could lead to longer stopping distances and make it harder to stop in an emergency.

You See Brake Fluid Leaks Under Your Vehicle

This is a clear sign that something is wrong with your brakes.

Brake fluid is essential for the braking system to work, so if it’s leaking, it needs to be fixed immediately.

Your Truck is Pulling to One Side When You Brake

You may be noticing your truck and steering wheel are pulling to one side when you brake. This happens when the brake pads are worn out on one side.

It also could be due to a problem with the caliper or other brake components.

IBEX Diesel Repair Offers Truck Brake Repair

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have your brakes checked by a professional as soon as possible.

IBEX Diesel Repair repairs brakes on large diesel trucks every day —  we can help you, too.

We also offer preventative maintenance services to help avoid brake issues down the road.

We’ll set you up with new brake pads, brake pad wear indicators, fix brake lines and stop leaking fluid — we fix brake rotors and more!

To learn more or to schedule a service, contact us today!