Sagging Brake Springs
Every type of braking system employs brake springs that pull away the brake pads or shoes from the disc or drum, thereby deactivating the brakes. Just like any other type of springs, repeated use and heat generated from braking causes the brake springs to sag. Sagging brake springs the responsiveness of the braking system. A driver will notice a delay when stepping off the pedal and the brake deactivating. Accelerating while the brake pads are still in contact could damage the brakes. This makes driving cumbersome since the driver has to wait for the brake pads to completely disengage before accelerating. The inability to accelerate as needed can make driving dangerous.
Most car guides recommend checking components before drives. With the brake systems, the springs are hidden cannot be inspected visually. Testing them when the car is not running provides little information. The springs may work well when cold but as the brake components heat up, the springs may lose its springiness. You will only know of the issue when you are on the road. A practice I recommend is to have the springs checked every time the brake pads are replaced. This way, you will know at how many kilometers the springs begin to have its performance affected. With this, you will know the exact periods between replacements.
The brake springs are not expensive. There is no reason not to replace them, especially when safety and performance are involved.