Jeep Brake Services Pittsburgh PA

There are a few different ways to tell if your brakes require replacing. Most commonly, you’ll notice decreased stopping power. If you feel it taking longer and more pressure on the brake pedal to bring the car to a complete stop, it may be time for new brakes. Another common symptom is unusual noises coming when you press the brake pedal. Some noises you may hear are grinding or metal on metal squealing. This is a more severe symptom, as it means your brake pads have worn down to the point where metal is pressing against the brake rotor when you step on the brake pedal. Another symptom you might notice is a vibration when you step on the brake pedal. You should get your brakes looked at if you feel a vibration in the brake pedal and/or steering wheel when you press the brake pedal. If things don’t feel or sound quite right when you press the brake pedal, bring your Jeep down to the service professionals here at Three Rivers CDJR to get them looked at and taken care of. 

Modern Jeep’s employ a four-wheel disc brake system using calipers, pads, and rotors. Here’s a brief overview of how disc brakes work. First, when you press the brake pedal, the brake booster uses brake fluid to turn that energy into hydraulic pressure. Next, the brake fluid is pumped through the lines to the caliper. Finally, the pressure in the caliper squeezes the pad against the rotor to bring the car to a halt. On average, brake pads and rotors should be replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. However, this number will vary depending on driving habits and conditions. This is because the friction between the pads and rotors causes the pads to wear down over time, leading to the symptoms listed above. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to replace the rotors at the same time to prevent uneven wear. Calipers, however, can go longer without replacing. But they aren’t completely invincible, as they can seize, causing a caliper piston to remain pressing the pad against the rotor, causing uneven and premature wear to a brake pad.

As we mentioned above, the modern braking system is a hydraulic one. The brake fluid in the reservoir that is pumped through the brake lines is just like any other fluid in your car and needs to be replaced every now and then. This is because it can break down over time and become contaminated with water and copper. When these contaminants are present in your brake fluid, it can cause decreased stopping power and a soft or “spongey” brake pedal. This feeling of having to apply more pressure to the pedal than usual is caused by a lack of hydraulic pressure in your brake lines. As the fluid breaks down over time, it can decrease the stopping power, as there is not enough fluid to create the right amount of pressure. A sensor inside the brake fluid reservoir will trigger the brake light on your dashboard if the fluid level drops too low. 

When things don’t sound or feel right when you hit your Jeep’s brake pedal, don’t wait to bring your car to the service center here at Three Rivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Here, an expert mechanic will test and inspect your braking system to diagnose any issue and make the necessary repairs to keep you safe. Our mechanics only use genuine Mopar parts to ensure the highest quality and fit for your Jeep. To schedule an appointment with our service center, you can call our service center directly or easily schedule an appointment right here on our website. We look forward to serving you!