28 Jul Do European Car Brakes Need Extra Attention?
The brake repair or replacement cost on European cars is usually higher than for domestic and Asian vehicles. In most cases, you must replace the rotor every time you replace the brake pads because of how European automakers manufacture the rotors.
These rotors are softer than that of domestic and Asian vehicles because a softer compound allows for better braking performance. However, you sacrifice longevity for that better braking performance. Thankfully, Heights Swedish Solutions provides various brake services for European cars in Cleveland Heights, OH, including brake pad and rotor replacement.
European Car Brakes vs. Domestic Car Brakes
Since you expect excellent braking performance, we don’t cut corners when replacing brake pads and rotors. We only use OEM parts to make brake repairs.
At this point, you may wonder why we don’t turn the rotors on European cars. The material is almost too soft to turn. Because the rotors wear down faster, there’s usually not enough material left to turn.
Additionally, the rotors are usually larger than those found on domestic and Asian vehicles. European car rotors are almost always slotted. They may have round holes or elongated slots in the rotors. The slots allow more air to reach the brake system to help cool the brakes, especially during high-performance stops.
Brake rotors on European cars also have a treated coating. This is another reason they shouldn’t be machined.
Finally, many manufacturers make their rotors direction-specific. In directional rotors, one part of the slots touches the brake pad before the other. That means the rotor must be installed with the proper directional orientation, or it could damage the braking system or cause a car accident.
Know When You Need Brake Replacement in Cleveland Heights, OH
The sooner you realize you need brake service and get it taken care of, the less you’ll risk damaging other components in the braking system. Signs that your vehicle’s brake system needs attention include:
- Noise: You may hear a squealing noise when you apply the brakes. That is a metal tab on the side of the brake pad. When it comes into contact with the rotor, it squeals to alert you that the pads are low. If you hear a grinding noise, you already significantly damaged the rotors.
- Low Brake Pedal: If the brake pedal travels further to the floor, the brake pads are probably low. However, this could also signify that you have a brake fluid leak or a problem with the master cylinder or calipers.
- Emergency Brake: The pads are getting low if the emergency brake handle pulls more than halfway up or the e-brake pedal (if applicable) goes more than halfway to the floor. Having an auto technician at Heights Swedish Solutions check the brakes would be best.
- Spongy Brakes: If the brake pedal feels spongy regardless of how far it travels to the floor, you may have a problem with brake hoses and lines, calipers, master cylinder, brake booster, or the ABS module.
- Need to Pump the Brakes: This generally signifies a brake fluid leak or a problem with the master cylinder.
- Hard Brakes: If it feels as though you must apply more pressure to get the same stopping power you got with less pressure, you could have a bad brake booster, vacuum hose leak, a collapsed vacuum hose, brake pads that are worn nearly to or to the metal backing plate, a back check valve, or a seized caliper.
Contact Heights Swedish Solutions for European Auto Brake Repair in Cleveland Heights, OH
Heights Swedish Solutions provides brake service for many European cars, including Audi and BMW. So, as soon as you notice a problem with the brakes, contact Heights Swedish Solutions at (216) 317-5100 for an appointment. We are conveniently located at 1815 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
