You will need your truck brakes to slow down or even stop when there is a need to while driving. In heavy traffic, brakes will assist you in controlling your truck. Therefore, brakes are essential when it comes to safety. The braking system has various parts that work hand in hand to give you full control of the speed of your truck.
In the driver’s cabin, there is a brake pedal whose primary role is to initiate the braking mechanism when pressed. The brake booster controls the pressing mechanism, whose primary role is to regulate the pressure necessary for the driver to operate the brakes.
There are various braking components on the wheels, such as the disks, drum, brake shoes, brake pads, and master cylinder. The main focus of this guide is to give you some essential tips for increasing the lifespan of your truck brakes.
Flush Your Brake Fluid When Necessary
The heat from braking usually wears the brake fluid, which releases moisture that can cause rust the braking system. With time, the brake fluids get contaminated with debris, rubber, and metallic contaminants. Therefore, it is essential to flush out your brake fluid.
The process of flushing out brake fluid requires keenness for the truck brakes to function properly, but a professional mechanic will do it within seconds. Here is what happens during the brake fluid flushing.
- The draining out of the old hydraulic fluid.
- Cleaning the braking system to remove debris.
- Inspection of the braking system for rust.
- A new brake fluid is fed into the system.
Rust and corrosion damage the braking system, leading to expensive repairs. It is thus essential to flush your brake fluid after covering 30,000 miles or driving for two years, depending on how often you drive your truck.
Ensure your Truck Brakes Disc, and Drum are Clean
Rust and corrosion cause your truck brakes, discs and rotors to wear out prematurely. Cleaning the discs and rotors can be done during routine service, and this procedure helps eliminate dust and other debris that can corrode your disc and rotors. You can clean your disc and rotors if you have basic brake maintenance skills and the necessary tools.
Avoid Braking At High Speeds
When driving at high speed, never brake instantly. Trucks usually have brake drums and discs. Inside the drum, there are brake linings whose contact with the drums initiates friction to stop your truck. The discs also have pads that perform a similar role.
The lining and the pads are made of materials that wear out. Instant braking causes tremendous wear out of such parts and can lead to brake failure. When such happens, you will note that your truck shakes when you brake at 60 mph. To avoid premature wear out of the brake lining and pads, it is essential that you gently apply pressure on your brakes to stop your truck gradually.
Conclusion,
Taking care of and increasing the life span of your truck brakes is a simple task. How you drive your truck will mostly contribute to your brakes’ life span. Be gentle when braking at high speed, ensure you flush out your brake fluid, and regularly clean your brake discs and drums. Practicing what is covered in this guide will improve the lifespan of your brakes.