Ford recommends you have your brakes inspected every other oil change or once per year. It is normal for brakes to wear as you use them. When you brake, you compress the master cylinder fluid.
The master cylinder pressurizes the brake lines going to each wheel. The seals in the master cylinder can wear out, resulting in leaks. If the pedal goes to the floor or feels mushy, a master cylinder replacement is likely. The instrument panel BRAKE indicator should alert you of a master cylinder problem.
Power brakes are ubiquitous in modern vehicles. They relieve you of the need to exert lots of pressure on the brake pedal to get the stopping action you want. This simple system uses a vacuum-powered booster that can malfunction. These symptoms mean you need a brake booster replacement:
-Hard brake pedal
-Longer stopping distance than you are used to
-Under braking, the engine stalls or runs rough
Much of the heat from braking ends up in the brake fluid. Water-laden fluid facilitates rust to form on internal brake part passages. Besides a master cylinder problem, a soft brake pedal may tell you brake fluid is leaking.
The master cylinder connects to the calipers by hoses which leak when they age. We will catch leaky hoses during a brake inspection.
Brake calipers contain brake pads that press against the rotors to slow your car. Seized calipers can result in greater pad wear and lower fuel mileage. Caliper seals are another source of leaks, and underserviced calipers can seize.
Because of differences between drivers, we can’t predict when your brakes will wear out or develop leaks. Only an inspection can tell you that. The following symptoms may accompany pad and rotor problems:
- Pulsing or vibration when braking
- Veering while braking
- Extended stopping distance
- Dashboard BRAKE Light illuminated
- Intense odor
- Grinding noise when braking
- Grooves on the rotor
- Should you encounter these, bring your Mustang in for service immediately.
If you have a pre-1993 Mustang, it will likely have drum brakes on the rear axle. Drum brakes are still used for the rear wheels of many cars since the front brakes produce most of the stopping power. Drum brakes lend themselves to a simple parking brake connection, and the manufacturing cost is lower. If you have a drum brake-equipped Mustang, we frequently work on drums and can bring them up to factory specs in no time.
We have dedicated brake repair experts. Call us or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for a brake inspection or any service on your Mustang you require.