Brakes | Bridgend Garage

Common Signs of a Braking Issue

1. Brake Light Comes On – Perhaps a bit obvious, but your brake light coming on can mean it is time to book in for a service, or that there is an underlying problem with your brakes. Consulting your manufacturer’s manual may give you some ideas as to the cause of the problem, but we would recommend visiting us for diagnostics if immediate troubleshooting doesn’t cause the warning light to shut off.
2. Squealing, Squeaking & Grinding – Brakes are very expressive when it comes to making noise when something is wrong. Some common issues that can make for noisy brakes include a worn brake pad that needs to be replaced, or a foreign object that has become lodged in the brakes while driving.
3. Wobbling & Vibration – If you have noticed your steering wheel or vehicle vibrating or shaking when braking, it is a sign you are experiencing issues with your brake discs. One possibility that we regularly encounter when diagnosing faults is a worn rotor surface that has become uneven. Sometimes, they need to be replaced but, in many cases, the rotors can be evened out.
4. Pulling to One Side – This is often due to a caliper issue or a faulty brake hose, and signals that one brake is working properly while another is failing. You will pull in the direction of the working brake. Obviously, this can be somewhat dangerous if driving at speed so it is worth investigating for faults right away.
5. Soft or Spongy Brakes – Two common problems that can cause a lack of resistance underfoot are issues with the master cylinder and a build-up of moisture in the system. Soft brakes can feel far less responsive and take longer to activate in emergency situations, so never tolerate them.