What’s uneven brake pressure, anyway?
Alright, so you’ve just come in after feeling your car tug to one side when you hit the brakes. Maybe you were cruising down Te Rapa Road or stuck in that stop-start crawl on Peachgrove Road, Hamilton traffic as usual. If your car’s pulling left or right, or you’ve noticed your stopping power feels a bit dodgy out by Gordonton or Cambridge, uneven brake pressure might be to blame. Here’s what’s really going on.
When you pump your brakes, the calipers on each wheel clamp down and squeeze the brake rotors. That’s what slows you down. But if one caliper isn’t pulling its weight, or the pressure isn’t split evenly, you get uneven brake pressure. Pretty common in town, especially after a rough winter with all those potholes popping up around Rototuna or Dinsdale.
It’s not something to ignore. Can get a bit sketchy if you’re out on SH1 heading for Ngaruawahia and suddenly have to brake hard. That’s why it’s important to get things checked out quick-smart by someone who knows local driving conditions. Here’s how to check brake pressure > if you fancy a look yourself, but best to let the pros handle it for peace of mind.
Common causes we see in the workshop
Stuck brake caliper: Seen this last week on a Mazda Demio someone drove in from Morrinsville. If the caliper, or the little piston inside, jams up, you end up with uneven pressure. Sometimes you’ll smell brakes cooking, or the car just drags on one corner. Not good for your wallet or your day.
Proportioning valve gone bung: The what now? It’s just the bit that balances braking between the front and back. If it’s playing up, especially on older Euros like a Peugeot 307 or even a Honda Odyssey, your stopping power changes depending on load. Can get hairy on wet mornings coming down Victoria St.
Brake pads worn unevenly: This one always gets people. Replaced just one pair, or left it a bit long? Next thing you know, your Nissan Tiida or Toyota Aqua starts pulling to one side. For even wear, always replace all pads at the same time. Here’s a heads up about brake pad replacement in Hamilton > if you’re overdue.
Tyre pressure out of whack: Sometimes it’s not even the brakes. Low tyre pressure on one side gives a similar feel. Quick fix, but gets mixed up with brake issues all the time, especially after a few months on our rough back roads in Tamahere or Flagstaff.
How do you know you’ve got uneven brake pressure?
Here’s the sort of stuff we hear all the time, across everything from Subarus to Kias and the odd Skoda:
- Car pulls to one side when braking (annoying and dangerous)
- Brakes feel soft or pedal sinks right down
- One set of pads worn way more than the other
- It just doesn’t stop like it used to, especially with a full boot of stuff
Notice any of that? Don’t leave it till your next WOF in Hamilton, just get it checked now. Handling dodgy brakes on a foggy winter morning heading from Cambridge to Hamilton is asking for trouble.
Need brake diagnostics or repair in Hamilton?
If your brake pressure’s feeling off or you’ve got any of the symptoms above, swing by and see us at Grimmer Motors. One of our techs can check out your braking system, figure out what’s not right, and sort it. Whether that’s rebuilding a sticky caliper, swapping out pads, or even sorting tyres for your late-model Hyundai or Suzuki, we’ll get you sorted so you can drive safe on Hamilton’s busy roads.
If you’re after a proper car service in Hamilton, brake repair, or just a WOF, give us a bell. Or just hit the booking button below and tee up a time. Easy as.