Stay safe on the highway |
Nothing can be more alarming than to feel strong brake vibration when you apply the brakes. No matter what kind of vehicle you are driving, car, ATV, motorcycle or bike, the last thing you want when stopping is uncontrolled movement. It sends the message that there is something wrong and you hope that you will be able to stop your vehicle and check it out. Brake vibration, sometimes called judder, is justifiable concerning. Upon inspection the vibration will be either cold or hot. Cold vibration is due to damage to the braking system. The disc brake will have uneven wear, called DTV. This usually happens in vehicles that have been used a lot and put on many miles. One of two things usually causes the uneven wear. Either the axis is out of alignment or there is something on the rotor surface. Once it reaches this point, the brake system may need replacement depending on the severity of the damage. While the axis can and should be realigned and the rotor fixed, the level of damage already inflicted will determine if the disc brake can be saved. Hot brake vibration is the result of hot spots on the disc which cause uneven thermal distribution. These hot spots create a distortion on the disc and will result in uneven movement, which will eventually damage the brake pads. The action that sets this all in play is extended braking from a very high speed, but not completely stopping the vehicle. For example, when doing high speeds on the highway and then bringing speed down by half, the driver may experience brake vibration. Once this damage happens to the braking system it is very serious and could result in hazardous driving conditions and accidents. The best solutions for avoiding and preventing brake vibration are proper maintenance and an adjustment in driving technique. For cold vibration the causes were misaligned axis or damaged rotor service. The axis alignment should be part of regular inspections so that minor adjustments and alignments can be made before the damage is done. Also, rotors should also be regularly checked to notice any imperfections in a timely fashion. With hot brake vibration the driver or rider should adjust their technique. If they are often experiencing the excessive vibration, and only during braking then they must change the way they brake. If all physical causes have been ruled out, then they must adjust and perhaps not bring this particular vehicle up to high speeds and then drop down, this vehicle may not be able to handle it. Brake vibration is always a serious occurrence and demands immediate action. Whenever this occurs, regardless if you are in a car, ATV, motorcycle or bike, you must stop as soon as possible and check the vehicle yourself and also take to a mechanic if warranted. The vehicle should be inspected and all mechanical problems fixed and driving techniques adjusted. A vehicle experiencing this condition is unsafe and can be hazardous to the driver and any passengers, as well as other road users. |
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