Tips on Fixing Brake Problems. It Can Be Done at Home

Fixing a brake problem takes a bit more skill then common maintenance. To fix a brake problem you should first get a book to help you for your specific vehicle.

Chilton's repair manual. Buying one of these will give you a step by step instruction on how to fix your personal vehicle. You may be able to find one in a local book store, but if you don't, you can find one on the internet. Don't believe me? You found this didn't you?

If you need new brake pads you should be able to find what type of brake pad you need either in the repair manual, or the owners guide. You should be able to get these at your local auto parts store such as N.A.P.A or Checker Auto Parts.

Remember that there are two different kinds of brakes disk and drum. If your car is older then the 1980's it most likely has drum brakes. Drum brakes are simpler, but they can not stop as fast. To tell if yours has drum brakes simply look at the brake. If it is a disk with a braking bow like object on it then it is a disk brake. If it is a large, almost bucket, looking thing then it is a drum brake.

When you are taking apart the brakes to get at the pads, it is a good idea to wear a breathing mask. Most brake pads are made of asbestos, which is hazardous to your lungs. After that just follow the manual. If your brake lights are not working, and it is not caused by a loose connection a bad bulb or a burnt out spark plug. You may need to replace the brake switch. It can be found in the master cylinder. Of course to fix that you will have to open the brakes. If this happens you will need to bleed the brakes.

Bleeding the brakes is an important skill. If you have an air bubble in the line it will cause your brakes to have a problem. You would need to pump your brakes to get your car to stop, plus the stop lights flash once real quickly then stop even though you are holding down the pedal. You probably have an air bubble. To fix this problem you will need to drain your brake fluid from each wheel. To do this, have a friend step on the brake and pump it up. Then hold the brake while you open up the line letting out some of the brake fluid. Do this repeatedly on each of the wheels hopefully you will fix the problem. It is important to remember not to let the brake fluid run out of its holder. If the brake fluid does you will have to start the bleeding process over again.