Capitalize on Brake Maintenance

[Counterman]

The key to brake system longevity is maintenance. Many vehicle owners don’t realize their brakes should be serviced on a regular basis and there are two primary procedures: maintenance at the wheel and brake fluid changes. As a counter-professional, you can capitalize on selling brake service essentials, and, in addition, proper maintenance will reduce warranty claims caused by lack of this often-forgotten service.

Disc brakes require the most maintenance because they are completely exposed to the elements. Even if you don’t notice it, rust and corrosion slowly begin to build up and restrict the movement of the brake pads. Most brake systems today utilize floating calipers that are mounted and move freely on slide pins, and the pads rest on the caliper bracket. On fixed-caliper applications, the calipers do not move, and the pads are supported by the caliper itself, as well as pad retention pins.

Either way, the pads must be able to move freely, allowing them to wear evenly. In the case of slide-pin calipers, the calipers must be able to slide freely on the pins. Restricted movement of either the pads or caliper causes uneven and accelerated pad wear and can cause a low brake pedal and reduced brake effectiveness. With normal brake wear and use, it’s not uncommon for the pads to become restricted in as little as six months or 7,000-10,000 miles. Proper maintenance includes removing the caliper, cleaning all pad contact surfaces and slides, cleaning and lubricating caliper slides and replacing any worn boots or pad clips.

Drum brakes have similar maintenance requirements. Since they are enclosed by the drum, they are not as affected by the elements and can go longer in between service, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. The drums should be removed for inspection at minimum once a year. The brake shoes rest on the backing plates at two or three contact points, and over time these contact points can build up with rust and corrosion and restrict the movement of the shoes.

In addition, brake shoe adjusters should be inspected to make sure they are clean and operating freely, and all the self-adjusting and parking brake components should be inspected. The wheel cylinders, which are the hydraulic component of drum brakes, are hidden from view, and with the drum removed, they can be inspected for leaks and operation.

Brake life depends on many factors, and driving habits can be a huge contributor, but maintenance is one of the biggest factors. Even the highest quality brake pads or shoes can be destroyed in a short period of time due to lack of maintenance.

When maintenance is ignored on disc brakes, the pads begin to wear unevenly, and frequently one may even get stuck, creating uneven braking between the inboard and outboard pads. In addition, this will accelerate wear on the rotors, affect fuel economy and build excess heat in the brake calipers, which can shorten their lifespan. The majority of premature or incorrect brake wear is the result of poor maintenance.

It may seem like a lot of work to perform regular brake service, but it has an advantage in addition to extending the life of the brakes. When regular brake maintenance is performed, it becomes very easy, only requiring light cleaning and lubrication. The longer the time in between maintenance, the more difficult it gets.

Brake fluid should be flushed at least every two years. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture and becomes extremely corrosive. Not only does this degrade the performance of the brakes, but it slowly begins to deteriorate the hydraulic components of the system including the master cylinder, ABS components, calipers, wheel cylinders and hoses. Flushing brake fluid will drastically extend the life of these components.

Brake maintenance supplies consist of brake cleaner, brake lubricant, hardware kits, brake fluid, a drain pan, shop rags and protective gloves. Overall, it’s time and money well spent, and perhaps the most important factor is the increased safety benefit of keeping brakes in top operating condition.

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