Brakes, Belts, Bearings, Why Should I Worry?
Someone once said that if it has wheels, belts, or brakes then you will have trouble with it eventually.
Turns out that whoever said that they weren’t all that far off!
While brakes, belts, and wheel bearings may not be the most exciting subject in the world, you will certainly take more interest if one of these items should decide to go south and stop working.
Let’s take a look at the three B’s and what it means if these parts should break.
What Are Those Squealing Sounds?
One of the first signs that your car is having problems is those annoying squealing noises. Yes, many people tend to just turn up the radio, but you really shouldn’t.
There can be many reasons behind why your car is making a squealing sound, but if you pay a little attention to that irritating sound, you might be able to discover what the problem is.
The Brakes
The brakes on your car are made up of many parts that work in combination to stop your car safely.
If you hear squeaking sounds when you step on the brake pedal, this could be a sign that your car is ready for new brake pads.
Car brakes tend to make squealing sounds when there is a problem. The trick can be trying to determine if you need new brake pads or if there is simply an accumulation of brake dust or if there is a small rock or other pieces of debris rubbing on the rotor or trapped between the pad and the rotor.
When you press on the brake pedal, it pushes the brake pads onto the brake rotors, similar to the way that your fingers would grab a spinning plate to stop it from turning.
As they wear down, brake pads make dust. Both the brake pads and rotors become extremely hot as well, which causes a chemical change in these parts, which can sometimes make them squeak or squeal.
It can be dangerous (not to mention very expensive) if you decide to ignore that brake squeal. Cleaning off brake dust or changing the brake pads isn’t nearly as expensive as replacing brake rotors and rebuilding or replacing brake calipers.
If your brakes start squeaking or squealing, see the professionals at Hong Kong Auto Service before you hear a grinding sound.
The Belts
Depending on the year and model of your vehicle, you may have one or more belts. Sometimes called drive belts, serpentine belts, V-belts, these belts run various parts of your vehicle.
Sometimes you will hear people refer to a belt by the part that it operates, such as an air-conditioning belt or an alternator belt. Some car models use one belt to run everything, other models have separate belts to run each item.
The belts on your vehicle are made from a mix of compounds, with the majority of them being made of rubber. Over time, belts will stretch and wear out due to heat, cold, and just from being used.
Most newer model cars, trucks, and SUVs use a single belt, called a serpentine belt, to run everything on your car. If the belt should break, you will instantly lose your power steering, the battery will no longer be charged, and the fan that cools the engine and moves the fluid to the radiator will no longer work. In other words, you will find yourself stranded.
The good news about belts is that, frequently, they start to make squealing sounds before they break. While belts will still work even if they squeal, you shouldn’t trust that belt for too long.
Most belts last between 3-5 years. If you aren’t sure about the age of your belt(s), especially if they start squeaking when you start the car or rev the motor, you should have them inspected.
Wheel Bearings
One of the problems with wheel bearings is that they also tend to make a squealing sound when they first start to fail. This is sometimes confused for brake pad squeal and gets dismissed.
If the noise goes away at certain speeds, or if it only occurs at certain speeds, or if you hear it when turning corners, that’s usually a good sign that it is a wheel bearing about to go out, rather than the brake pad sensors.
Occasionally, a sticking brake caliper will make a squealing sound but, in most instances, the squealing stops when you step lightly on the brakes.
If not caught early, the sound that a failing wheel bearing will make changes. It moves from a squealing, squeaking sound to more of a deep rumble. Similar to the sound that a few marbles rolled around quickly inside a metal can make.
If your vehicle has constant velocity joints, commonly called CV joints, you will usually hear a clicking sound when you make turns.
Occasionally, you can actually feel the steering wheel shaking or vibrating at certain speeds when a wheel bearing is going bad. This is sometimes written off as a bad tire, a tire that needs to be rebalanced, or even a front suspension problem, but it might be the wheel bearing.
Like squealing brakes and belts, diagnosing and repairing a bad wheel bearing can save you tons of trouble and further expense down the road.
Wheel bearings that are not replaced promptly can cause damage to the hub and in extreme cases, the entire wheel can sheer off, which would cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
The Bottom Line
We aren’t trying to frighten anyone with the above descriptions of possible complications, but these are facts, and they happen to people every day.
Checking the brakes, belts, and wheel bearings on your vehicle is fairly quick and easy to do.
If you are hearing any strange noises from your vehicle, if you aren’t sure about the age of your belts or brakes, or if you are feeling vibrations in the steering wheel, drop by Hong Kong Auto Service.
Our professional mechanics will be more than happy to inspect your vehicle for signs of wear and give you a detailed list of what needs to be repaired if anything.
Even if we don’t find any problems with your brakes, belts, or bearings, you will sleep better tonight and drive more confidently tomorrow knowing that these parts are still doing their job.
Call us today for an appointment or stop by with your questions. At Hong Kong Auto Service, we want you to feel safe and secure wherever you drive!