Brake Repair

BRAKE REPAIR WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Complete inspection
• Replacing pads or shoes
• Lube calipers and hardware
• Machine rotors or drums
• Test drive

WARNING SIGNS

• DRAG – Sticking brakes, hot wheels or engine which seems to have lost power.  Brakes may be failing to release; the condition can reverse itself, leaving you with no brakes at all.
• PULL – Vehicle pulls to one side when brakes are applied.  May be under inflated tire, misadjusted brakes or brakes are in need of repair.
• HARD PEDAL – Requires extreme pressure to make brakes function.  Can indicate power brake trouble, restricted hydraulic lines, frozen calipers or wheel cylinders, or damaged brake linings
• BRAKE LIGHTS – Red indicates a problem as simple as the parking brake on, or low fluid, to something as serious as a hydraulic system failure.  Yellow indicates deactivation of your ABS system.  While your brakes should work, it does require inspection at the first opportunity.
• VIBRATION – Brake pedal, steering wheel or entire vehicle shakes, vibrates or pulsates when brake is applied.  May indicate need to resurface disc brake rotors – or signal a serious problem of a loose component or faulty steering mechanism.
• SQUEAL – Brakes should operate with a minimal amount of noise.  Some noise is normal but excessive squeal, screeching, grinding, groaning, chatter, clatter or bang means your brakes need attention.
• LOW PEDAL – Pedal nearly touches floorboard before brakes function.  May activate your brake warning light.  Problem may require a simple adjustment – or indicate something much more serious.
• GRAB – “Touchy” brakes that grab with the least pressure.  May indicate a problem as simple as grease or oil contaminated linings – or as serious as loose or broken component ready to fail in an emergency.

Car safety is important. Stop by and let us check out the braking systems to ensure proper working conditions. If you are in need of any brake repair, we let you know what parts are in need of repair or replacement.

There are several types of brakes that are commonly used in cars, including disc brakes, drum brakes, and hydraulic brakes.

Disc brakes: Disc brakes are the most common type of brake on modern cars. They consist of a brake rotor, which is attached to the wheel, and a brake caliper, which contains the brake pads. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake pads clamp down on the rotor, causing the wheel to slow or stop.

Drum brakes: Drum brakes are similar to disc brakes, but instead of using a brake rotor and caliper, they use a brake drum and brake shoes. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake shoes press against the inside of the brake drum, causing the wheel to slow or stop.

Hydraulic brakes: Hydraulic brakes use a hydraulic system to transfer the force of the brake pedal to the brake pads or shoes. When the driver applies the brakes, hydraulic fluid is forced through a series of pipes and hoses, causing the brake pads or shoes to clamp down on the rotor or drum.

In addition to these types of brakes, there are also various other brake systems and technologies, such as antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist. These systems are designed to improve the performance and safety of a vehicle’s brakes.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are a type of brake that uses a brake rotor and brake caliper to slow or stop a vehicle. They are the most common type of brake on modern cars, and are typically used on the front wheels, which provide the majority of a vehicle’s braking power.

The brake rotor is a circular metal disc that is attached to the wheel. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake caliper, which is a clamp-like device containing the brake pads, squeezes the rotor from both sides. This causes the brake pads to clamp down on the rotor, creating friction that slows or stops the wheel.

Disc brakes have several advantages over other types of brakes, such as drum brakes. They can dissipate heat more effectively, which allows them to handle higher braking temperatures and provide better performance in high-speed situations. They are also more responsive and can provide better brake feel, which is the sensation the driver experiences when applying the brakes.

Overall, disc brakes are a reliable and effective type of brake that provides good performance and safety in a wide range of driving situations.

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes are a type of brake that uses a brake drum and brake shoes to slow or stop a vehicle. They are less common than disc brakes on modern cars, but are still used on some vehicles, particularly on the rear wheels, which provide less braking power than the front wheels.

The brake drum is a cylindrical piece of metal that is attached to the wheel. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake shoes, which are curved pieces of metal or composite material, press against the inside of the brake drum. This creates friction between the brake shoes and the drum, which slows or stops the wheel.

Drum brakes have some advantages over disc brakes, such as being less expensive to manufacture and more resistant to brake fade, which is when the brakes lose effectiveness due to heat build-up. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as being less effective at dissipating heat and providing less responsive braking performance.

Overall, drum brakes are a reliable and effective type of brake, but are typically not as advanced or performant as disc brakes.

Power brakes

Power assist brakes are a type of brake system that uses hydraulic pressure to amplify the force applied by the driver when the brakes are pressed. This allows the brakes to provide more stopping power with less effort from the driver, making it easier to slow or stop the vehicle.

Power assist brakes are commonly used on modern cars and are often combined with other brake technologies, such as antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution. When the driver presses the brake pedal, a hydraulic pump is activated, which generates pressure in the brake lines. This pressure is used to move brake calipers or wheel cylinders, which apply the brake pads or shoes to the rotor or drum.

Power assist brakes can provide several benefits, such as improving braking performance, reducing brake pedal effort, and making it easier for the driver to stop the vehicle in an emergency. They are also commonly used in conjunction with electronic stability control systems, which can help improve a vehicle’s handling and stability. Overall, power assist brakes are an important safety feature that can help drivers control their vehicles more effectively.

Anti lock brakes

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are a type of brake system that prevents the wheels from locking up when the brakes are applied suddenly. This helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle and avoid skidding or losing traction, which can lead to accidents.

Anti-lock brakes use sensors to monitor the speed of the wheels, and if one or more wheels are detected to be locking up, the ABS system will automatically pulse the brakes on and off rapidly. This pulsing action allows the wheels to continue rotating, which helps the vehicle maintain stability and traction.

Anti-lock brakes are an important safety feature that can help drivers avoid accidents and maintain control of their vehicles in emergency braking situations. They are commonly used on modern cars and are often combined with other brake technologies, such as electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Overall, anti-lock brakes are a valuable safety feature that can help drivers stay safe on the road and avoid accidents.

Braking Issues

Spongy brakes

There are several possible reasons why a vehicle’s brakes might feel soft or spongy when the brake pedal is pressed. Some common causes include:

1. Air in the brake lines: If air gets into the brake lines, it can compress when the brake pedal is pressed, causing the brakes to feel soft and spongy. This can happen if there is a leak in the brake system, or if the brake lines were not properly bled during a brake service.
   
2. Low brake fluid level: Brake fluid is essential for the operation of hydraulic brakes, and if the level of brake fluid is low, the brakes may not function properly. A low brake fluid level can be caused by a leak in the brake system, or by excessive brake pad wear.
   
3. Worn brake pads: Brake pads are a critical component of a vehicle’s brakes, and if they are worn down, the brakes may not work properly. As the brake pads wear, the brake calipers may not be able to apply enough pressure to the brake rotors, causing the brakes to feel soft and spongy.
   
4. Brake caliper issues: The brake calipers are responsible for applying pressure to the brake pads, and if they are not functioning properly, the brakes may not work effectively. Issues with the brake calipers, such as a stuck caliper or a faulty caliper piston, can cause the brakes to feel soft and spongy.
   

If your brakes feel soft or spongy, it’s important to have them inspected by a mechanic to determine the cause and take appropriate action to fix the problem. Ignoring brake issues can lead to reduced braking performance and increased safety risks.

Brake Smell

If you notice a strong, unpleasant smell when you apply the brakes on your vehicle, it could be a sign of a problem with the brake system. There are several possible causes of a brake smell, including:

1. Overheated brakes: If the brakes get too hot, they can produce a burning smell. This can happen if the brakes are used heavily, such as when driving down a long, steep hill, or if the brake pads are worn or damaged.
   
2. Brake fluid leak: If the brake fluid is leaking from the brake system, it can produce a sweet, syrup-like smell. A brake fluid leak can be caused by a faulty brake line, a leaky caliper, or other issues with the brake system.
   
3. Worn brake pads: As brake pads wear down, they can produce a metallic grinding or scraping sound. If the brake pads are worn down to the point where they are contacting the brake rotor, they can produce a burning smell.
   

If you notice a brake smell, it’s important to have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible. Ignoring a brake problem can lead to reduced braking performance and increased safety risks.