The brakes on your Chevy Impala serve you well and protect you and your vehicle in any weather. Learning this critical system will help you better understand how to care for it, along with signs of common problems and when performing maintenance such as: Brake pad change.
A brief overview of braking systems
The brake assembly of your Impala is based on a basic principle of physics: energy conversion. In other words, it converts kinetic energy from movement into thermal energy to bring your vehicle to a stop. When you operate the brake pedal, a lever is operated that is connected to a piston that activates the master cylinder. Next, the master cylinder releases hydraulic fluid and directs it through pipes connected at their ends to wider cylinders. These wide cylinders are located near the brakes in each wheel hub assembly and apply the pressure required to stop the vehicle.
Vehicles have either disc brakes, drum brakes, or a combination of both. You may see cars with disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels. Drum brakes rely on drums with curved brake pads inside to stop the vehicle: the hydraulic system exerts pressure on these pads so that they press against the inside of the drum. In contrast, disc brakes use rotating metal rotors surrounded by a pair of brake pads attached to calipers. These pads are activated by hydraulic fluid that presses on both sides of the rotor to stop it rotating. Your Impala likely has both front and rear disc brakes, but you should have the exact make, year, and model when shipping brake pad kit components.
Common signs of braking problems
You cannot change the laws of physics that govern the movement of your Impala or its braking systems. However, you can be a responsible driver and take care of routine vehicle maintenance. Thanks to this conversion from kinetic to thermal energy, your brake pads accumulate over time and must be replaced. Other things can also go wrong: leaking brake lines or fluids, faulty rotors, problems with the master brake cylinder, etc.
Assuming you drive many miles a year on average, you should replace your brakes every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. However, the specific recommendations can be found in the operating instructions. After all of this, you should also look for typical warning signs that indicate a problem with your brakes:
- Brake warning light on your dashboard
- Brake pedal feels spongy or soft
- It takes more time to stop your vehicle
- Squeak, click or grind
- Vibration or pulsation when braking
- Pull the vehicle to the side when braking
Purchasing brake components
On many vehicles, including your Chevy Impala, it is relatively easy to replace the brakes. However, you need the right tools and parts to get the job done. It is also important to keep an eye on your braking systems and to perform regular maintenance if necessary. Check your brake pads and rotors when changing oil or turning your tires. Finally, choose a reputable parts dealer when buying your Chevy Impala oil filters, brake pads, rotors, or other important vehicle items.
