Brake Pad Replacement Service in Chicago, IL

During the peak hours of traffic in Chicago, it is not very likely that drivers are focusing on how their braking system works when they are crawling to a stop at a red light. As it turns out, brake pads are a major component to the process of stopping your vehicle. As such, they will become worn over time and need to be swapped. We at Kingdom Chevrolet understand this well, and encourage you to read on to learn more about these pieces!

What Are Brake Pads?

In most modern vehicles, a brake pad is attached to the rotor that is visible behind the spokes of your wheel. They work within what is usually called a disc brake system. The process that allows your car to come to a complete stop is by stepping on the brakes, which then causes the master cylinder to apply some force to the brake lines, which puts some pressure on the calipers. Housed within the calipers are the brake pads, which work by creating friction between the actively spinning rotor helps it eventually come to a halt. After so much usage during stop and go traffic down Archer Ave., the pads begin to degrade, causing braking to become more of a task than it used to be. 

Replacement Timeline and Warning Signs

Before we delve into some classic warning signals that you can be privy to once your brake pads begin to wear down, you should know that the replacement intervals may vary from individual to individual. If you are one to commute to Willow Springs Woods using the highway, you will get more longevity out of your pads. However, if you tend to do more city driving, they may degrade faster because of the nature of traffic stops. When they begin to lessen in quality, be vigilant of a grinding noise when applying the brakes. Moreover, if you feel your steering wheel vibrate when coming to a stop, contact our Service Department to have us take a look! Finally, one of the most obvious signs to watch out for is fluid leaks near the brakes. 

The Replacement Process

To do this procedure effectively, one must jack their vehicle up, remove the lugnuts from the wheels, and eventually find their way to the calipers. Once you’ve located them, you can remove the bolts from the calipers to eventually find the brake pads. Remove the worn components and then clip the new pair into place. Then it is time to secure the calipers into place, tighten the bolts, and then secure the tire back onto your vehicle. If this sounds like a big undertaking for a do-it-yourself job, we would be more than happy to take care of the heavy lifting for you. Make an appointment with our team so that we can get you back up and running to your usual trips to Lions Park!