Eight Critical Brake System Inspection Points 

When inspecting brakes, make sure you check both the front and rear brake systems to ensure proper maintenance. Because of vehicle weight distribution and friction needed to stop vehicle inertia, the front brakes tend to wear quicker than the rears.

Proper brake system maintenance should address every component that stops your car.  Here is a quick check list of what to inspect for proper safety and optimal performance.

1) Inspect all the mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components in both the front and rear brakes (calipers, caliper hardware, wheel cylinder, drum hardware, parking brake and brake pad wear sensors).

2) Check the brake fluid level. Changing the fluid is recommended if moisture or contamination is present. The type of brake fluid required will depend on the vehicle application. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations in the vehicles owner’s manual.

3) Inspect the brake system for leaks in the hoses, lines, wheel cylinders, calipers and master cylinder. Brake hoses must withstand pressure of up to 2,500 psi for the so make sure there are no cracks, bulges, or damage to the hoses. Brake calipers and wheel cylinders should be checked for leaks, corrosion or damage and rebuilt or replaced if a problem is found. If a master cylinder is leaking externally or internally the pedal will be spongy and slowly sinks to floor when the brakes are applied. If this is the case, it must be rebuilt or replaced.

4) Check the brake pads in the front and, if your car has them, the brake shoes. There should be more than a 1/4” thickness of pad depth for proper operation and they should not be cause groove into the brake rotor or brake drum.

5) Inspect the brake rotors. Brake rotors require a clean, smooth, flat surface to perform properly. A rough surface will accelerate pad wear and increase the risk of noise or excessive heat that causes warping. An uneven surface or variations in rotor thickness can cause vibrations, noise and annoying brake pedal pulsations. Brakes drums that have grooves or any kind of damage should be replaced immediately.

6) Inspect the wheel bearings or repacking on older vehicles. Lubricate all critical areas such as caliper slides and shoe pads with high temperature brake grease.

7) Check and adjust the parking brake tension if necessary.

8) Inspect the brake pad wear sensor on the pad for cracks or damage. In many newer model car and trucks, a sensor tells of the condition of the brake pads. If the warning light comes on inspect the brakes as suggested above.

For proper maintenance and safe driving, it is critical to check the condition of your brakes on a regular basis. However, there's no excuse for not inspecting each and every component in the brake system. Any worn or damaged brake system component should always be replaced to restore performance and safety to like-new condition

At MoparUSA, we carry a full line of Mopar brake parts for your car. We sell quality Mopar parts at aftermarket prices. Your get the reliability or OEM Mopar parts at a great price that can’t be beat.