Driving a car or truck that needs repair can create a hazard on the road and can put you and your passengers in danger. The brakes on your vehicle are critical, and if there is something wrong with them, taking the vehicle into an auto repair shop for inspection and repair should be something you do immediately. There are some indications that the brakes need attention if you are paying attention. 

Longer Than Normally Stopping

As the brakes on your car or truck start to wear, the surface of the brake pads and shoes can begin to glaze over. This is especially common for cars and trucks that spend a lot of time in stop and go traffic or that build up a lot of heat in the brake system. 

The glazing on the surface of the brake pads and shoes makes the friction material hard and smooth, reducing the effectiveness of the brakes, and you may notice that it takes longer to slow the car or truck down. This is cause to take the vehicle to an auto repair shop and have the brakes inspected right away. 

Once the glazing starts, the friction material can crack and start to come loose, causing problems inside the brakes and a loss of brakes altogether. If you feel like your vehicle is taking longer to come to a stop when you are breaking, it is essential to have the brake systems checked as soon as you can. 

Chattering or Shaking

Another common condition that is a clear indication of a brake system problem is chattering or shaking when you apply your car or truck's brakes. The vibration can result from a couple of conditions, both of which need to be corrected right away.

Sometimes the chattering on braking results from a brake rotor that is warped on the front of the car or truck. When you apply the brakes, the warp will cause the front end to shake as the brakes pulse on the warped rotor. If this is not corrected, the shake can get worse until it became hard to hold the vehicle straight as you are braking. 

In some cases, the shaking can result from a brake caliper that is not working correctly or that a loose pad in it. The shake can be very slight to very strong, depending on what is going on under the car. Taking the car into an auto repair shop to diagnose the problem should be a priority, and continuing to drive the vehicle with the shaking can become dangerous and damage other components in the suspending system.