Is your car emitting an unusual vibe? It could be coming from the rotors, and are what your brake pads grab to stop your vehicle. A vibe is more than just a sensation when it comes to your car. It could be one of four indicators that it’s time to repair your rotors.
How Do Brake-Rotors Work?
In its most basic form, rotors are pressed by brake pads to stop and slow a vehicle, but it’s not quite that easy. Let’s take a step-by-step overview at how the whole system fits together.
The driver wishes to come to a complete stop and steps on the brake pedal. The main cylinder’s plunger pulls brake fluid from the tank. The hydraulic is routed to the wheels through solid brake lines. The fluid is then carried into the callipers by flexible brake lines. The hydrostatic flow in the callipers forces the brake pistons out.
The brake pads’ backing plate is pressed against by the pistons. The brake pads and rotors begin to brush against one another, with the pad linings pressing the rotor surface from both the inside and outside. The resistance causes the vehicle to slow down or come to a halt. The brake pads and rotors warm up to a high temperature as a huge amount of heat is produced.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
When you try to slow, you can notice vibrating in the brake pedal and in the steering wheel, which may indicate a problem with your rotors. When you step on the brakes, the brake pads apply pressure on the rotors, causing them to become incredibly hot. Normally, the heat can cause the rotors to wear, warp, and become inconsistent over time. Since your brake pads will be rubbing against a rough surface, your steering and braking will be jerky. What was the end result? A steering wheel that vibrates.
Intermittent Squealing
Intermittent screeching while braking is, in our opinion, worse than nails on a blackboard. As the braking mechanism interacts with rotors that have formed grooves over time, this screeching occurs. It’s the same idea that underpins the sound needles makes when inserted into the ridges of a vinyl record, and it’s the best you’ll get from your car when you ask, “Would I need new rotors?”
Blue Coloration
You might just get the blues from time to time, but when we think about your rotors, we expect something entirely different! Excessive heat, rather than depression, is the most probable cause of blue brake rotors.
Lie down next to one of your wheels and search behind the spokes for blue rotors. Do you see a disc-like object? It’s a rotor! If things seem blue, it’s time for a brake test at the very least. The same heat that caused such discoloration may have harmed your brake pads.
Excessive Wear Over Time
Rotors, like any other components of the engine, wear out over time. Investigate the rotors for ridges or scoring if you suspect you’re working with poor rotors (which can cause the screeching we mentioned earlier). Also, look at your service history to recall the last time you had your brake-rotors tested and replaced. Rotors should be replaced every 15,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on your car’s performance, brake pads, and car.