Buick Brake Problems

The Buick automobile line is manufactured with three main types of hydraulic brakes: four-wheel disk, four-wheel drum, or a combination of rear drum and front disk systems. All of these systems use friction surfaces and a pressurized pad or shoe that stops the vehicle by direct contact with a rotor or drum. These mechanical parts are prone to failure due to shearing stresses and heat dissipation. The average mechanic can determine the issue with the braking system on a Buick in about 20 minutes.

Fluid

At the core of the Buick's hydraulic brake system is the master cylinder and power booster. These are typically at the driver's side firewall in the engine bay. The master cylinder contains two pockets filled with golden fluid, with a rubberized sealed cap. This fluid, usually DOT-3 brake fluid, runs to all of the calipers and shoes of the system through steel and rubber lines. When the fluid is dark it indicates that heat has cooked the particles in the fluid, or there may be a heat issue somewhere in the system. If it is low then there could be a leak, or air could be corrupting the sealed system. The system is flushed of air with the bleeder nipples at each wheel.

Recalls

Braking systems have advanced over the decades, and Buick made very attempt to keep up with the highest level of consumer technology. During the 1990s many vehicles in the Buick lineup used anti-lock braking systems, which is a computerized anti-seizing solenoid on each of the front calipers. This system was prone to electrical failure, due to the inherent heat resistance of the delicate ABS sensor. Researching the recall database available at a local Buick dealership can determine if the brakes for a particular model have been affected.

Friction Surfaces

As brakes age and wear, the friction surfaces can fail. This can lead to a loss of stopping power, or loud noises from the braking system. The commonly worn parts are designed to be replaced at regular intervals, such as the pads and shoes. Other mated parts can become damaged by a lack of maintenance, such as the rotor and drum, that will require repair or replacement. Most problems experienced by the braking system are the direct result of ignoring this routine maintenance. Buick brakes, following the lead of General Motors, used similar, if not exact, hardware from many other models in the GM lineup. The standard maintenance schedule for GM brakes is 45,000 to 65,000 miles, at which time a complete replacement is recommended.

Overuse

Older Buick models tended to weigh a lot, and the drum brakes from the 1960s were not adequate for the size of the car. Many accidents and complaints led to the adoption of the disk brake system, which improved wet weather and panic stopping. Unfortunately, the early rotors were not as forgiving of heat, and using the brakes for extended periods would warp them. This "riding" of the brakes should be avoided, and any burnt brake material smell should be investigated immediately. Heat buildup in the braking components is the number one cause of braking part failure.

Computer codes

The Buick's computer scans the sensors for errors, and this includes vehicles with the ABS system installed. Using a scanning tool plugged into the main OBD-II port, the computer's stored trouble codes can be downloaded and analyzed for braking system faults. The OBD-II port is located underneath the driver's side kick panel on most Buick models.