Are you noticing your Land Rover swerving to the side when you apply the brakes or does your SUV seem to lack the perfect stopping power? If your answer to the above is yes, then you might be facing an uneven braking problem. Land Rovers are built specifically with ruggedness and power, but like any other car, problems with the brakes can accrue over time due to use. Knowing the causes and the remedies will assist you in keeping your Land Rover in the best shape.
Worn or Damaged Brake Pads
Brake pads are some of the most important components of your braking system. As long as they are in a good state, they are very reliable in terms of stopping power. However, if they are worn unevenly, it will result in one side of your car braking much harder than the other side. This makes your Land Rover to pull to one side. When you start hearing high pitched sounds or poor braking, then it is time to inspect your brake pads. Changing them in pairs guarantees uniform wearing of the pads.
Warped Brake Rotors
Rotors are the metal discs on which the brake pads grab in order to bring your SUV to a halt. However, they tend to twist with time due to either heat or frequent use. Warped rotor is characterized by an irregular surface which in turn makes the car vibrate whenever brakes are applied and this results in uneven braking power. Rotors should always be inspected during the usual car maintenance and especially when there is vibration in the steering wheel or brake pedal when the car is being halted. If they’re warped, they may need to be resurfaced or even replaced with new ones.
Stuck or Faulty Calipers
The calipers in your Land Rover’s braking system are the ones that clamp the brake pads against the rotors. If a caliper becomes seized up or is problematic, there will be uneven wear of the brake pads and uneven braking. It’s possible that one wheel will lock up and brake much harder than the others, which will create a pulling feeling. Symptoms of a stuck caliper include smells of burning after driving or worn pads on one side. Braking performance issues can be solved by fixing or replacing a bad caliper.
Misaligned Tires or Worn Tires
Braking problems are sometimes caused by problems with the braking system but they can also be caused by uneven wear on the tires or improper tire alignment. If one tire is worn out or not placed in the correct position, the car will pull to the side of the road when the driver brakes. Simply changing tires and aligning them properly to the vehicle can go a long way.
What Should You Do If You Experience Uneven Braking?
- Schedule a Professional Inspection: Uneven braking can be caused by many reasons that can only be diagnosed by a professional. These experts can determine if the issue is with the brake pads, rotors, calipers, or if it’s an issue with the rest of the braking system.
- Replace Worn or Damaged Components: After diagnosis, try and change any parts that may have been affected or worn out. Whether you are having problems with brake pads, rotors or calipers, you need to ensure that you fix the problems so that you don’t have to deal with more serious problems with your Land Rover.
- Flush and Replace Brake Fluid: If the problem is brake fluid, a complete brake fluid flush will solve the problem of hydraulic pressure. This service also helps to extend the service life of other braking parts.
Why Should I Bring My SUV to Hagan’s Motor Pool for Brake Services?
When it comes to issues of uneven braking it becomes important to find the right repair shop. Hagan’s Motor Pool is a Rochester, New Hampshire based company that carries out repairs on different cars including European brands such as Land Rovers and we have the capability of diagnosing and repairing braking systems. We’re proud to service drivers from Dover, Alton, Barrington, Berwick, and many other nearby areas.
If you have a case of worn out brake pads, warped rotors or failed calipers, our Land Rover mechanics are at your service and will ensure to get your vehicle back to optimal performance. Don’t put your life in danger through poor and irregular braking. Call us now to book an appointment for a professional inspection of your Land Rover before you hit the road.