Sunol, CA – Brakes Squeaking / Grinding on your Nissan Altima, Maxima, or Rogue

Grinding or squeaking brakes are only one symptom of impending brake failure. Here are the others:

• Brake warning lights that will turn on to notify you of a possible issue 
• Pulsation or vibrating in the steering wheel or brake pedal 
• Pulling to one side while braking 
• Burning odor 
• Should you encounter these, bring your Nissan in for service immediately.

We recommend that you schedule a brake inspection when you bring your Altima, Maxima, or Rogue in for an oil change. You can head off brake difficulties with this easy and cheap procedure. We recommend this service every six-month or 5,000 miles.

Brakes work by forcing pads against a rotor bolted to each wheel. Rotors are disk-shaped parts spinning at the speed of the wheel. Pads are flat components placed in calipers that wrap around each rotor. The friction generated by this action converts motion to heat energy. In preserving your safety, expect to replace brake components periodically.

Clients sometimes want to replace worn pads only; this is a misplaced economy. Old rotors may increase wear on new pads. You will end up where you started. Nissan specifies a wear cap; when pads or rotors arrive at this number, change both. Both sets of pads and rotors on an axle should be replaced simultaneously to prevent uneven braking. Everyone’s brakes wear at different speeds. Frequent inspections should be important to you. 

Brake fluid requires replacement every two years. Much heat produced during braking ends up in the brake fluid; it needs a high boiling point to do its job. Since brake fluid absorbs water, a regular fluid flush is mandatory. 

Suppose contaminated brake fluid endures in your brake lines. Water causes rust in the brake parts and makes brake fluid boiling during hard service more likely. A regular brake fluid flush is as significant as engine oil changes.

Brake fade happens when brake fluid boils during hard use. Because of bubbles in the liquid, the brake pedal must travel farther to brake the same. When the brake pedal reaches the floor, your brakes no longer slow you down.

Wheel speed sensors communicate with the ABS and stability control systems to maintain control on a slick road. Our technician will ensure correct operation. 

During brake service, we will complete hand brake adjustment. As the brakes wear, slack forms in the E-brake cables. Our technician must remove the slack in the hand (emergency) brake system for this system to operate as it should. 

At Fremont Foreign Auto, we have dedicated brake repair experts. Call us at 510-793-6067 or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for a brake inspection or any service on your Corolla you require.