7 Common Mistakes in Car Brake Repair: Beware of Being Ripped Off!

　　The car braking system is related to driving safety, but there are many misunderstandings in the maintenance process, and a slight carelessness may lead to being "tricked". Some car owners blindly believe in "original parts are supreme", thinking that only replacing original brake pads and brake discs is safe and reliable, but they ignore the matching of parts and the actual degree of wear. In fact, there are many products in third-party brands that meet national standards or even international certifications, and their performance is not much different from original parts, and the price is lower. Blindly pursuing "original parts" may result in unnecessary premium costs.

　　Brake pad thickness is often considered as the basis for replacement, but ignoring the flatness and hardness of the brake disc is more fatal. Some repair shops, in order to promote transactions, deliberately exaggerate the wear and tear of the brake pads, but avoid talking about the deformation and scratches of the brake disc. In fact, if the brake disc has deep and shallow grooves or a plane deviation exceeding 0.05 mm, it needs to be resurfaced or replaced, otherwise, even if new brake pads are replaced, it will still cause braking jitter, noise, or even uneven wear.

　　The statement that "brake fluid should be changed every two years" is widely circulated, but the replacement cycle varies significantly under different conditions. Frequent and intense driving or use in humid environments may require earlier replacement; while vehicles that have been parked for a long time may have a decrease in boiling point due to the water absorption of the brake fluid, and therefore require more testing. Judging solely by time or mileage may misjudge the oxidation level and water content of the brake fluid, thus creating safety hazards.

　　When the ABS warning light comes on, many car owners mistakenly think that "the brakes have failed" and rush to replace the entire system at a high price. In most cases, it is only because the wheel speed sensor is covered with mud or the wiring is loose, and cleaning or tightening can solve the problem. Blindly replacing the ABS assembly not only wastes money but may also introduce new problems due to improper installation.

　　Brake noise is often attributed to brake pad quality problems, but excessive application of lubricating grease, rusting of caliper pistons, or lack of maintenance of guide pins can also cause noise. Some repair shops take advantage of the car owner's anxiety about noise to sell expensive "quiet brake pads", but ignore the basic cleaning and lubrication steps, causing the problem to recur.

　　Many car owners pursue "modifying large-size calipers to improve braking performance", but without upgrading the brake master cylinder, disc specifications, or using high-boiling-point brake fluid, it may lead to insufficient braking force or rapid heat fade. Blindly stacking parts without considering system matching will cause braking performance imbalance.

　　Some car owners believe that "brake maintenance means replacing parts", ignoring hidden problems such as aging brake lines, damaged dust covers, or rusting of calipers. For example, cracks in the brake hose may cause high-pressure leakage, and rusted calipers may cause braking drag. Only focusing on visible parts and ignoring systematic checks.

　　Automobile brake maintenance should be based on the actual condition of the vehicle, the usage environment, and the performance of the fault, avoiding being misled by a single symptom. It is recommended to choose a repair institution with a transparent process, request inspection data, and prioritize repairing maintainable parts instead of directly replacing them. After all, a safe braking system depends on scientific diagnosis and rational consumption.