Symptoms of Brake Pads Not Retracting?
3 Answers
Without pressing the brake pedal, you still noticeably feel significant resistance from the car. In severe cases, it may produce noise or even cause wheel lock-up. Below is some information about new brake pads: Replacement conditions: Brake pads are critical safety components in the braking system. New brake pads are approximately 1.5 cm thick and need to be replaced when worn down to 3-5 mm. Function: Brake pads, also known as brake linings, are the most crucial safety components in a vehicle's braking system. The effectiveness of the entire braking system largely depends on the brake pads. Therefore, high-quality brake pads are the guardian angels for both people and vehicles.
Hey, speaking of brake pads not retracting properly, I've encountered this issue several times myself. First, you'll feel the car driving particularly sluggish, as if something heavy is dragging behind. After braking, the throttle response becomes delayed, and acceleration isn't as crisp. The wheel hubs get extremely hot—touch them after parking and they're scalding. In summer, you might even smell a burning rubber odor, which is quite obvious. Then there's the fuel consumption skyrocketing; even short trips burn more gas, and you might hear strange noises from the wheels. More importantly, when parking on a flat surface and releasing the brake, the car hesitates to move, and the wheels won't turn freely. Over time, the brake pads wear unevenly. Safety first—once you notice these signs, I advise not to delay and head straight to the workshop to check the brake system. Otherwise, severe wear will lead to more expensive repairs.
As an experienced long-distance driver, I've noticed that stuck brake pads are quite common. While driving, the car always feels heavy, as if being dragged after braking, and acceleration is noticeably more strenuous. The wheel hub temperature rises abnormally, becoming too hot to touch after parking, and fuel consumption increases significantly, with 100 kilometers using more gas than usual. You might also hear creaking friction noises, and when parked on level ground, the wheels won't move after releasing the brake. If these symptoms persist, there's a high risk of the brake system overheating, and in severe cases, the wheels might even smoke. I always pay attention to these minor issues, as addressing them promptly can save a lot of trouble—safe driving is the top priority.
