Brake Repair After A Collision

5 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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When you are in an auto collision due to failed brakes, it's critical to have your vehicle inspected by an auto collision specialist to determine the cause and solution to your problem. Here's what you need to know about getting brakes fixed after a brake failure. 

Potential Causes of Brake Failure

When you're looking for auto brake repair in your area, note that there are many potential problems the repair specialist will need to evaluate before giving you a repair plan. 

First of all, your brake failure may be due to what's called friction fade. If you noticed the brake pedal going all the way to the floor without much increase in your braking power, then this is a potential source of your issue. There are a couple of reasons that the brake friction can be reduced in a vehicle. For one, if your brake backing plates are misaligned, it can create an uneven surface to brake on. Bent or twisted brake shoes can cause similar issues. Old brake drums may cause a poor surface as well. 

Fluid fade can also be an issue if your car uses a hydraulic brake system and the fluids were low at the time of the crash. Your auto brake repair specialist will check to make sure the fluids are at appropriate levels and the delivery systems are in working order. 

Domino fade is another issue; when some brakes have more power than others, it can have unintended consequences on the way you brake. Domino fade can occur when brakes weren't repaired at the same time or to the same quality. 

The Auto Repair Technician's Role

Your auto repair technician should do some forensics to determine the root causes or your brake failure and fix them specifically. But at the same time, they make recommend that you do a full brake maintenance and/or replacement while you're in the shop. When you have brakes that have failed, one of the best things you can do is to have a full overhaul to correct any potential hidden issues. But you can also get away with repairing the most vulnerable parts as suggested by your auto collision repair technician. 

Balancing Cost and Safety

When you're repairing brakes after a crash, you may be concerned about the cost of a brake replacement. While safety is paramount, there are ways that you can cut the cost while still getting a quality repair. For instance, using generic brake pads and reusing certain parts in the new system can help cut the cost. Contact a company like Belmont Husky Service for more information.