Why brakes fail – CP Plus explains

The brakes are one of the most crucial components of any car, according to CP Plus, Ensuring that your brakes are functional and well maintained will go a long ways towards keep you safe whilst you’re on the road. 

There are few things more nerve-wracking for a driver than pressing on the brakes during an emergency, and discovering that they don’t work. Here, CP Plus explains some of the most common reasons behind brake failure, and how to avoid them. 

Corrosion plays a major part in the failure of brakes in a car. Although it’s normal to have to replace the front pads and discs in a car due to simple wear and tear, these parts often require replacement as a result of corrosion. Drivers who only use their cars once in a while and keep the vehicle in a garage are more likely to experience issues with rusting brake pads and discs. Cast iron is an excellent material which is almost always used for brake components, but it tends to corrode quite easily. With most of the braking force carried out by the car’s front brakes, any rust which has accumulated is quickly scraped off by the pads hitting against the discs. However braking on the rear is far less common, and may not be enough to scrape off corrosion on the rear disc surface. If left untreated, this build up of rust can result in surface pitting, causing damage to the car. 

Front discs will naturally wear out and become too thin after a certain amount of time. CP Plus says that car manufacturers will normally specify a minimum level of brake disc thickness and once this point is reached, the discs must be replaced. Pads should be replaced at the same time. Distortion is another common cause of brake failure. This is caused by the uneven cooling and heating of a disc, which causes it to change shape and causing braking problems. This issue can be identified as a ‘juddering’ noise through the brake pedal when it is pressed. Worn out, thinner discs are more likely to warp than newer ones – yet another reason to have discs and pads replaced on a regular basis.