- Vibration or shaking when braking: One of the most common signs of damaged brake discs is the vibration or shaking you may feel in the steering wheel or brake pedal when applying the brakes. This may be due to uneven disc wear.
- Braking noise: Worn or damaged brake discs often produce squealing, grinding or squealing noises when braking. This may indicate that the brake pads are rubbing or that the discs are worn.
- Loss of braking efficiency: If you notice that your car takes longer to stop or requires extra effort on the brake pedal to stop, this could indicate problems with the brake discs.
- Worn or uneven surface: Visually, you can inspect the brake discs through the wheels. If you notice that the disc surface is worn, has deep grooves or has uneven areas, this is a sign of wear or damage.
- Uneven braking feel: If you feel that the car tends to pull to one side when braking, this could indicate a problem with the brake discs on a particular wheel.
Causes of malfunctioning brake discs
- Normal wear: Over time, brake discs wear out due to regular use and heat generated during braking. This wear is normal and occurs gradually.
- Overheating: repeated heavy braking can cause brake discs to overheat, leading to hardening of the metal and cracking.
- Worn or damaged brake pads: Worn or incorrectly adjusted brake pads can cause uneven disc wear.
- Stuck brake calipers: brake calipers that do not slide properly can cause the brake pads to remain in constant contact with the discs, causing premature wear.
- Contamination: The accumulation of dirt, dust or contaminated brake fluids on the disc surface can affect disc performance.