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What is the Break-In Procedure?
The break in procedure is critical to brake performance. Click Headline above to read more!
How To: Apply Brake Lube
How To Apply Brake Lube Your vehicle’s brakes use friction to slow down and stop. During the braking process, brake pads are hydraulically pressed against the brake rotor. While it may seem counterintuitive to use lube on a system that relies on friction, lubrication is essential to brake function. Ensuring that your brakes work properly […]
How to Bleed Brakes
What is brake bleeding? Here's a helpful guide and things you should know about Bleeding your Brakes. Click the headline above to read more!
How To Fix Noisy, Squeaky Brakes
It can be unsettling to hear squeaks, squeals, and other noises coming from your brakes. While squeaky brakes are not always a cause for panic, it is important to determine the reason for the noise instead of ignoring it. What Causes Brakes to Squeak? In order to determine how to fix noisy, squeaky brakes, you […]
How To Diagnose a Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal
Your brakes are a vital component of controlling your vehicle. When you press down on the brake, it should feel firm. If you notice your brakes feeling soft or spongy, something is wrong. In this PowerStop guide, we will explain how to identify spongey brakes, common causes of soft pedals, and discuss when it may […]
Why Do I Have a Pulsing Brake Pedal? Understanding Disc Thickness Variation (DTV)
Disc Thickness Variations (DTV): Measuring Disc Rotor Run-Outs, Causes and Preventions If your brake pedal feels like it’s pulsing or vibrating, you might have brake disc thickness variation (DTV), a small variation in the thickness of the friction surface of the brake rotor(s) usually caused by the rotors wearing unevenly. What Is Disc Thickness Variation […]
Why Are My Newly Machined Rotors Making Thumping Sound?
If you just had your brake rotors cut or machined and installed them with new pads but you hear a rhythmic thumping sound, it’s likely a rough finish on the rotor. The rough finish on the rotor acts like a screw to draw up the pads. The thump comes when the pads snap back to […]
Why Is There a Notch in My Brake Rotor? Understanding Mill Balancing
A Mill Balanced Notch in Brake Rotors Reduces Vibration While Driving Depending on what type of brake rotors you have, you may notice small notches on the side of them. Those milled areas are a result of the process used to balance rotors, called “mill balancing”. A mill balanced brake rotor reduces vibration and is […]
Towing Safety & Tips: Brake Fade and Brake Fluid Boil
Towing Safety & Tips: Brake Fade and Brake Fluid Boil Brake Fade and Brake Fluid Boil are serious issues that can reduce your vehicle’s braking performance and put you – and others on the road – in danger. Because of this, it’s important to understand what these conditions are, what causes them, how to handle […]
How To: Tell the Difference Between Left and Right Drilled & Slotted Rotors
How to Tell Apart Left or Right Drilled & Slotted Rotors For drilled & slotted rotors, it is important to pay attention to which is the left and right rotor. Luckily, if your rotors are not labeled, there is an easy way to tell. On the top side of the rotor, follow up along the […]
What Are The Different Types of Brake Fluid?
Different Types of Brake Fluid Brake fluid is the lifeblood of the brake system and a commonly overlooked, but integral, part of your vehicle. It is a hydraulic fluid responsible for one job: Stopping your vehicle! Brake fluid transfers the action of pushing on the pedal to the brake calipers or drums through a series […]
What is a Brake Warning Light & How To Fix It
In this article, we will go over what a brake warning light looks like, how to inspect possible issues related to it, and the different options to fix it. When a check engine light comes on it’s a scary sight. It can turn an otherwise great day into a stressful one in an instant. Unfortunately, […]
Brakes Clicking When You Change Direction?
Why Are My Brakes Clicking When Changing Direction? Wondering why your brakes click? If you just changed your brake pads and brake rotors and hear a clicking noise coming from the brake every time you change direction from forward to reverse, it’s most likely hardware clips. Most modern cars have an anchor bracket-style caliper that […]
How to: Break-in Your New Evolution Coated Rotors
Breaking in Your New Evolution Coated Rotors Now that you’ve purchased and installed your new PowerStop Evolution Coated Rotors, it is important to properly break them in (a process called “bedding”). During the bedding process, the rotors and brake pads are subjected to a series of controlled stops, which helps to distribute an even layer […]
I Have Aluminum Brake Calipers, What Do I Need to Know?
What To Know About Aluminum Brake Calipers If the engineers of your vehicle decided to use aluminum for the body of the calipers on your vehicle, they were probably more focused on performance than they were on the cost to manufacture. Aluminum calipers enhance the performance of a vehicle by reducing “un-sprung weight”, which helps […]
Do You Need New Hardware With New Brake Pads?
Do You Need New Hardware With New Brake Pads? New brake pads need new hardware. It’s important that every time you change your brake pads you are changing the brake pad hardware with them. The constant heating and cooling of normal driving will weaken your brake pad’s hardware over time. Compromised hardware can lead to […]
Rotor Resurfacing: Should I Replace or Machine Brake Rotors?
Rotor Resurfacing/Machine Rotors Brake rotors incrementally lose some thickness whenever the brakes are applied. Although some people machine rotors to extend rotor life, there are downsides to resurfacing rotors instead of replacing them. Machining can lead to poorer quality rotors and safety issues. The process is also time-consuming and can be difficult to do correctly. […]
Track Day vs Track Day Spec: Which Brake Pads Should You Use on Track?
Which Brake Pads Should You Use on Track Day? PowerStop has developed two lines of brake pads for Track Days to work with your high performance track car. Track Day and Track Day Spec. Both deliver a major performance upgrade for super pedal feel, maximum friction coefficient, and consistent maximum performance with High-Carbon Track Day […]
Z23 vs Z26: Which Brake Pad Upgrade Is Right for You?
Z23 Evolution Sport or Z26 Street Warrior Performance Brake Pad Kit Z23 vs Z26: which one is right for you? You’ll need to know what kind of performance you want to get out of your brake pads and your driving style. The Z23 pads are a Carbon-Fiber Ceramic formula that offer great dust-free braking performance. […]
Solid or Vented – Which Brake Rotor Type Do You Need?
Which Brake Rotor Type Is Best For Your Vehicle? Solid or Vented? Which type of brake rotors do you need, solid or vented? When selecting your new rotors, you’ll want to be certain if you’re getting the correct type for your vehicle. You can see the difference while looking at the side of the rotor. […]
Is Brake Rotor Surface Rust a Problem?
Rust Problems With Your Brake Rotors If you’ve noticed surface rust on your brake rotor, it’s most likely nothing of concern. Surface rust will be cleaned off with normal driving. However, if the rust has gone on to cause pitting in the rotor, you have a larger issue. This usually takes months of a car […]
6 Summer Car Cleaning & Detailing Mistakes to Avoid
Time To Clean Your Vehicle – Don’t Make These Detailing Mistakes! Depending on the level of service you seek, the cost of detailing a vehicle can reach hundreds of dollars. While it may be convenient to pay professionals to care for your vehicle’s appearance, it can be more personally rewarding – and cost-effective – to […]
Tips To Prepare For Driving In Winter Weather
Be sure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter weather with these helpful tips! Winter is coming for much of the country and with that brutal snow and freezing temperatures. From regular maintenance to gathering supplies that could come in hand in a pinch, we have you covered. Tips To Prepare For Driving In […]
How to-Install Brake Pads (2010-2018 Ford F150, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators)
How to- Install Brake Pads (Ford F150, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators) Ready to install new brake pads on 2010 to present Ford F-150, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators? PowerStop is here to help! Below we discuss the common signs that indicate it’s time to replace your pads and why it’s so important to replace pads as […]