Don’t Let Road Salt Ruin Your Brakes This Spring

How Does Road Salt Affect Brake Systems?

The combination of road salt and moisture can absolutely destroy an automobile. In addition to causing rust on structural components, anything contained in the undercarriage can be damaged. So, how does road salt affect brake systems? Left untreated, brake pads, brake rotors and the brake lines can all corrode quickly and vastly increase the chance of a catastrophic failure. Follow along with us while we take a closer look at some crucial vehicle maintenance information.

READ MORE: Salt Damage Isn’t The Only Post-Winter Problem

Why Are Brakes So Vulnerable to Corrosion?

Like real estate, brakes are vulnerable to salt damage because of location, location, location. Brake pads and rotors are essentially located inside the wheel assembly that is very close to the ground. The heat created by brakes melts the snow and ice, which in turn, activates the corrosion process in the presence of road salt.

What Happens To Your Brakes From Salt Damage?

There are a few primary components that every braking system has, regardless of manufacturer: Rotors, calipers, brake lines, and pads. Each one is susceptible to salt damage and rust, but the symptoms will be different.

• Brake Rotors – Salt buildup can cause uneven wear and vibration
• Brake Calipers – Salt can cause calipers to stick, leading to reduced stopping power
• Brake Pads – More uneven wear damage leading to hardware breakdown
• Brake Lines – Corrosion from salt damage can cause fluid leaks and brake failure 

How Can You Tell If Your Brakes Are Salt-Damaged?

Brakes are unique in how they are designed to let drivers know if there is a problem. If something starts to go wrong, drivers will get a few different clear signs if they know what to look for. Warning signs your brakes have been damaged by salt include:

• Squealing or grinding when the brake pedal is pressed
• Vibrations are felt in the pedal when engaging the brakes
• Automobile pulls to one side when the brakes are applied
• Rust on brake components is visible
• Stopping distance is longer than normal

Protect Your Brakes From Salt Damage

There is no way to stop salt from covering your vehicle’s brakes and undercarriage. However, vehicle owners are not destined to have brakes fall apart each year. There are a few proactive ways you can protect your brakes from salt damage.

• Wash car when possible over winter to prevent salt buildup
• Use car washes with an undercarriage spray to remove salt
• Get brakes inspected before and after winter to track damage

Make an appointment with the Downtown Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC Service Department if you would like to have your brakes inspected before the spring driving season gets underway.