Brake Repair For When Your Pedal Goes Down Too Far

When you think that something might be wrong with your brakes, it is a good idea to definitely try and figure out what the problem could be. If your pedal just continues to the floor or almost to the floor before your car stops, then you could have a problem with low brake fluid, fluid that is contaminated, pads that are worn out, or a poor power boost unit on your brakes.

It is a good idea to rule out an easy fix before taking your vehicle to the car shop. If your vehicle is showing signs of one of the above problems, your first check should be the fluid level. Make sure to fill it to where it is meant to be filled if it is low.

If you do not notice low fluid levels or if filling the tank does not help, then you may want to look at another option. Your fluid could be contaminated. This is likely another easy fix if it is the cause of your problems. The contamination can be caused by water entering the system because air first entered it causing the possibility of condensation. In order to remedy this problem, you brakes will need to be bled. You may or may not be able to do this on your own. If a hole in the system caused the problem then you may need assistance.

The pads on your brakes will wear out, but it is not likely that you will have this significant symptom without first having a symptom that is more obvious like hearing a loud noise when you stop. This is a problem that will need the attention of someone that knows what they are doing when it comes to brake repair. It is not a problem that should wait.

Another issue that needs to be taken care of promptly that may cause your pedal to go down further than it should is a poor power boost. You will need to take your vehicle to a car mechanic who owns a device to measure the vacuum power of the booster.

The latter two problems and possibly the latter three necessitate a visit to a mechanic that you know or to an auto shop. You can do some comparison shopping before making your choice, or if you have a mechanic that you trust, simply go to them. If you happen to be out of town when you need brake repair, then you might consider simply going to a national chain that repairs cars because they may have a more standardized service that you will be able to trust.

Brake repair is not something to put off when you have problems. It is wise to actually get your brakes checked before you have a major problem that is noticeable to you because in doing so, you might avoid having a major problem or an accident because you needed brake repair and did not know it. Some car mechanics might even offer to check your brakes for free without charging unless you actually do need some work done. If your mechanic does offer this, then you going regularly to have them checked will be well-worth your while.

Read more »

Brake Repair For A Smoother Stop

When the dashboard brake light cuts on, what is your immediate reaction? "Not again!" Or, do you say, "It can wait." There is a reason it is called a warning light. If this occurs frequently or the light will not turn off there are a couple of areas to check first, such as your parking brake has not been released or your car could have low brake fluid. If after your initial basic inspection the warning light remains illuminated, take it seriously. It is important to get where you need to be and as often as you need to. No squeaks or pulling to the left when as you stop. No guessing and no hoping as a plan. At a certain point, brake repair may be necessary. When you want to be sure that your braking system is completely ready to protect you, a regularly scheduled brake inspection is a great investment.

All serious drivers are serious about their vehicles. When the best care and parts are sought for your transportation it has no other choice but to offer the best output for the next 1 to 2 years, but up to 5 to 7. That is how long standard brake pads can last and rotors can operate at premium capacity. These two brake components are not only the easiest to see beyond the actual wheel, they are the most frequently requested and recommended to be replaced item on your car. As the entire braking process begins with the internal foot pedal initiating fluid release to the brake line followed by a squeeze of the brake pad and therefore a slowing of the rotors to bring the wheels to a stop. All parts of the braking system are important in stopping your vehicle, but none work harder for that process than your brake fluid, pads, and rotors. This is why they are such vital parts of an effective brake repair.

The grade of brake fluid will determine how easily it absorbs water therefore causing it to become less effective over time. DOT (Department of Transportation) grades range from 1 to 5 and manufacturer's recommendation can be found in your owner's manual. Professional mechanics know by car model which fluid is required and which to select accordingly. In addition to a fluid check your brakes pads will be viewed for level of erosion. If your brake pads are less than an inch thick then they will be replaced for you. The rotors will also be inspected at this time with a thorough cleaning. If the rotors require replacement due to wear they will also be replaced. If after a complete inspection you decide that your vehicle use requires a little bit more of your brake system, there will be an opportunity to replace the same model parts, or choose to upgrade your brake system from here.

This is why it is so helpful for your brake repair professional to be backed by the excellent standards of a reputable garage. When recommendations are made they come with years of compounded and tested experience. Your brake repair mechanic can also share with you how the longer it takes you to come to a complete stop the easier the process is on your brakes. Age of vehicle, city driving, and weather conditions cannot be avoided, so brake inspections are offered to help protect your stopping system for as long as your are driving.

Read more »

Brake Repair Finding A Good Shop

No one said owning a car was cheap. Not only is it expensive to buy a car, it can be pricey to keep it running the way it should. But these are the necessary evils that come along with responsible car ownership. Part of that responsibility is making sure you find a good shop for your brake repair. Your brakes keep you and others safe on the road so it is vital to always keep them in excellent working condition. Here are some tips you can use to find a good shop that will treat you fairly and take good care of your car.

First of all, remember that many good shops don't begin and end with brake repair. Because a good shop can be depended upon in so many situations, the impetus to find a good shop is even clearer. Even smaller, specialty shops often do mufflers, oil changes, and more in addition to brake repair. That's why looking in the phone book for one specific specialty isn't always the best way to go about it. While you are sure to come up with some names, you could be missing out on some real gems.

The internet is a great resource you can use to find a good brake repair shop. The great thing about the Web is that people aren't shy about giving out their opinions. Find some ratings and review sites for your town and see what people have to say about the mechanics near you. However, keep in mind that not everyone is going to have a positive experience at even the best shop in town. And human nature dictates that disgruntled customers are going to be far more likely to go online and express their dissatisfaction than a pleased customer will be inclined to take time out of their schedule to rave.

If you do find a prospective brake repair shop, don't be afraid to do your own analysis. This includes asking questions of the mechanics and technicians and looking around the shop yourself. Just because you take your car somewhere once doesn't mean you ever have to return. Seeing as how your car will need to have some kind of service every three or four months, it gives you plenty of time to compare shops until you find a place that treats you with respect and offers you a fair deal no matter what the problem is.

Read more »

Brake Repair Dos and Don'ts

Brake repair servicing is an important task in terms of safety and the efficiency of your vehicle. This is not something to mess around with. A competent technician should help you maintain the braking systems at scheduled intervals. Here are some dos and don'ts about brake jobs:

DO check your auto owner's manual in order to find out the recommended time schedule of service for your particular make, model and year of vehicle. All cars have different manufacturer's recommendations and it's important to take note of them.

DO take your driving style and conditions into consideration. If a motorist hauls travel trailers around while touring the countryside, this will cause more wear-and-tear on the brakes. If the vehicle owner does a lot of construction projects that entail hauling lumber and other heavy items, this is heavier use than usual and will mean more frequent servicing than that of the average driver. If steep mountainous roads are traveled regularly, these halting devices will be put to the test. If an urban driver must make multiple stops at red lights during daily commutes, the pads and other braking components will wear out more quickly than those that merely travel the freeways.

DON'T ignore warning lights on the dashboard. These lights may be an indication of a multitude of mechanical issues including low brake fluids or other more serious problems that are ready to present themselves. When the little lights start flashing on the dashboard, figure out what they are trying to tell you. The owner's manual has a glossary and pictures to help sleuth it out.

DO take note of that screeching sound. Screeching sounds may mean that the pads are wearing thin and must be replaced soon. If a motorist decides to ignore the worn out pads, many more pricey components may wear out next. Screeches require a check up with the auto mechanic. Those annoying noises may simply be an indication that dirt and debris has worked its way into the system. A simple cleaning could stop the noise and let you breathe a sigh of relief.

DO educate yourself: Many community colleges and trade schools offer classes in auto mechanics which include working on the systems in your own car. A bit of knowledge can save a lot of money.

DON'T forget to ask the mechanic for your old parts: It's helpful to understand what wore out and why. It also keeps the communication flowing between owners and technicians honest by showing the soon-to-be discarded unusable parts.

DO get recommendations from friends and family: Word-of-mouth referrals are some of the best ways to discover quality service personnel and shops. Ask your network of contacts what they appreciated and didn't care for regarding past repair personnel experiences.

DON'T forget to post a reminder on your windshield or calendar: Reminders of next service due can help keep preventative maintenance on track. Writing it down in your owner's manual is a great way to keep on schedule, as well.

A motorist who follows the dos and don'ts of brake repair will be doing everyone on the road a favor. Stay safe and maintain your automobile's halting system.

Read more »

Brake Repair Do It Yourself

Brake pads are a vital part of a vehicle's braking system. They are positioned in between the brake rotors and the calipers, and provide the friction needed in order to stop the car. Made of organic material, the constant exposure to heat and friction makes them naturally prone to wear and tear. Therefore, they will need to be replaced at least once during the vehicle's lifetime. However, it is possible to save money on this type of brake repair by making it a do-it-yourself project.

Brake pads are equipped with a metal indicator tab that makes a squealing noise when the pads are worn out. The sound comes from the metal-to-metal contact of the indicator tab grinding against the rotors. Ignoring these sounds will allow the metals to keep grinding, and when the pads have completely thinned out, the rotors will fall victim to the grinding of the caliper's metals. Therefore, before all the other parts of the car's braking system deteriorate beyond simple repair, it is best to invest in new ones as soon as possible.

Getting brake repairs at an auto shop can be expensive because most of the cost is associated with paying for the labor, and although replacing the brake pads is one of the most common brake repair issues, a vehicle owner can still expect to pay at least $60 per hour at a repair shop. However, it is possible to save money on replacing the pads if the vehicle owners can perform this task themselves. It will require some mechanical aptitude and a set of basic tools, but it is a moderately easy task.

The first step is determining which type of brake pads the car needs and having the right tools handy. Refer to the car's manual, or consult an auto mechanic to choose the right ones for the make and model of the car. As for the tools, along with a basic set of tools with a variety of wrenches and clamps, this job will also require a vehicle jack and a jack stand to raise and secure the vehicle, and a lug wrench to remove the wheels.

To be begin, use the lug wrench to loosen the bolts on the wheels, although the wheels should not be removed until the car has been raised. Once the car is raised, the wheels can be removed to expose the brake calipers, rotors, and pads. Use the appropriate wrenches to remove the calipers and inspect the rotors. If the rotors have deep scratches and markings, do not attempt to apply the brake pads; the rotors should be removed and referred to an auto mechanic before attempting to replace them. However, if the rotor is even and smooth, the brake repair can continue by removing the worn pads, and replacing them with new ones. Once the pads have been replaced, simply work backward to replace the rotors, calipers, and wheels.

Brake repair can be expensive, but with a little research and mechanical effort, it is possible to make common repairs without the expertise and cost of hiring an auto mechanic.

Read more »

Brake Repair Costs

Maintenance on your car can be expensive. You don't want to be taken by surprise when you get your bill. When it comes to brake repair it can be expensive too, depending on how much has to be fixed in order to get your car back on the road. If you are trying to get an idea of what your costs will be, then this guide can help.

The most common form of brake repair is, of course, the pads or drums. This is also one of the least expensive as well. If you don't have to replace anything but the pads, you're looking at a bill of around $75 to $100. If you take it into a mechanic, some of that cost will be their labor fees. If you are handy, these are pretty simple to replace and it can save you the labor costs lowering the bill by quite a bit, depending on what your mechanic charges in labor fees.

Another common, cheap brake repair is low fluid. Yes, it can be an indicator that there is a problem, but it could also be just time to add more to it. If that's the case, the repair will only cost you the price of a bottle of fluid. You simply add it to the reservoir's fill line, and you're finished. Be warned though, if the reservoir is completely empty then you will run the risk of getting air in the lines. If you don't know how to bleed them you should take the car in to have this done. If you do that then you will incur some labor costs.

There are a couple of brake repairs that are a little more on the expensive side. If you go to replace your pads and the rotors also need to be replaced, your total bill can go from $75 to almost $300 easily. While that is expensive, it's not the most expensive part. The master cylinder can cost anywhere from $200 to $300 to replace. If you simply have your current one rebuilt you can save some money but remember, it may fail again sooner than a new one. You need to take that into account and find out what the warranty is, if there is any on a rebuilt part.

Brake repair can be as cheap as $4 or $5 for a bottle of fluid. This type of maintenance can also be as much as $750 to $1000 if you have to have extensive work. No matter what work you have done, speak to your mechanic about what types of warranties you have on the work that is performed and how long that warranty is good for so that should something go wrong you aren't out any more money.

Read more »