Automotive Repair

Brake Repair



Big-Brakes Inspection and Brake-Test Tips

  • Final Brake Check and New Wheels

    There's nothing more important than the proper operation of the braking system on your car, so take the time to double-check your work.

    1. After completion of the front-brake upgrade, check the brake pedal to make sure that you have a "hard pedal" feel.

    2. Check the lines and fittings for leaks.

    3. Make sure that the master cylinder is full of fluid.

    4. A brake pressure gauge is a useful tool for checking the hydraulics of your braking system. Simply screw the gauge onto the bleeder port on any vehicle. When you hit the brake pedal, you should see a gauge reading of 1200 psi.

      The reading should be the same on both calipers -- i.e., on both sides of the vehicle. The pressure reading on the rear brakes will typically be a little less than on the front.

    5. Once the brake system checks out, it's time to mount the new tires and wheels. Check with the brake manufacturer to find out what wheel size and offset is necessary to handle your new brake system. On our Mitsubishi, we needed a larger size wheel. As a bonus, the open design of the new wheels shows off the new brakes.

      And since the new set is lighter than the factory rims, they'll compensate for the additional un-sprung weight of the big-brake kit and keep the car's smooth ride intact.

    6. Install the new tires and wheels following the manufacturer's instructions. Once the wheels are on, turn them by hand to make sure that they spin freely.

Now that the car is ready to drive, you want to make sure to take it easy at first, and test the new braking system. Test drive the car in a safe, open area like an empty parking lot to see if the brakes stop the car without a spongy feel.






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