Is brake cleaning really necessary?
I was once in an auto dealership with an acquaintance who I met in the customer's lounge. He said he was there for a routine brake pads replacement but he had to spend a bit more time because apparently the dealership wanted the brakes on his car cleaned. He said it was X amount extra just to clean it and asked me if it really is necessary. I had to bring him to a table for coffee.
Well, there's a variety of opinions out there. Some of which say that brake cleaning is a rip-off. But I strongly believe that brake cleaning is a part of the regular preventative maintenance (RPM). We all know that RPM will make your car run more efficiently.
So let's go back to the question. Is a brake service really necessary?
All moving car parts have lubrication, be it oil or grease. As the brake lubrication gets washed away by messy, wet roads, corrosion will set in –causing the pads to bind and limiting its ability to return to their normal static(standby) position. Remember that Corrosion is the enemy of any metal moving part. When brakes pads get stuck to the rotors or drums, this is when it all goes wrong. Think of it as if you are driving with one foot on the gas pedal and one on the brake pedal.
When your vehicle is on the car lifter, mechanics will start by disassembling the brakes to facilitate pad and rotor fitting. Moving on to the calipers, all the sliders and moving components will be cleaned and lubricated. Doesn't seem like a lot, does it? However, this has to be done properly and there are certain clearances to take note. With the proper fitment of brakes pads and a clean and lubricated brake system, this maintenance procedure will significantly extend the operating life of your brakes.
Newer, fuel-efficient vehicles use disc brake components that tend to overheat easily when stuck or maintained poorly. This is because it is made of lighter metal. The fact that these are easy to dissemble and maintain should not be a reason for you not to have it serviced. It you can't afford the services of the dealer, you might as well ask around for a qualified mechanic to help you or better yet, ask the car club members for referrals. In addition, cheap, poor-quality replacement brake parts break hearts.These parts suffer from premature corrosion and have lower heat tolerances, requiring frequent clean-ups and making your motoring life dangerous.
So how frequently should I do a general brake service? Once a year is fine and once every two years is what I consider an absolute minimum, more often if driving in extreme climate areas such as the Philippines.
So, is it a rip off? The answer depends on how you value the stopping power of your car.
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