Brake Repair - Trusting The Experts To Do The Job Right The First Time

Many times a person that does a do-it-yourself brake repair job feels that just replacing the pads are all that is needed to ensure your safety. However, a reputable car brake service can inform you that there is much more that goes into repairing brakes such as inspection the calipers to check for stuck pistons or leaking fluid. A reputable car care center will also check the brake pads for signs of excessive or uneven wear, change needed hardware, and look for indications of the rotors being warped, and if there is uneven wear or cracks on the surface.

If you are experiencing a brake wear problem such as squeaky brakes, this may be a reminder that your brake pads need to be changed. The majority of brake pads has squeakers and with normal use as the pad is constantly being ground down, it will reach the squeaker, which is the reminder that the pads need to be changed. Your car technician can tell you through an inspection of your brakes that if this condition with your squeaky brakes persists for a long period of time, this worn pad will eventually create grooves in the rotor. It is best to get your pad replaced when they need it because it is very inexpensive, however replacing rotors is not.

Every aspect of the brake system should be covered when a quality brake repair job is done which may include:

- Inspecting all electrical, hydraulic and mechanical components in the rear and front brakes (wheel cylinder, caliper hardware, parking brake, calipers, drum hardware, and brake pad sensors)
- If necessary, replacing the shoes or rear and front pads
- Replacing or inspecting discs or brake rotors
- If necessary, adjusting and checking the parking brake
- Wheel bearing inspections and repacking them in older cars. All critical areas should be lubricated such as shoe pads and caliper slides when needed
- Checking the brake fluids conditions and level
- Brake pad wear sensor inspection on the pad for damage or cracks
- If applicable, checking the ABS system

Any brake component that is damaged, worn or out of specification should be replaced in order to restore safety and brake performance to a like-new condition from professionals in brake repair. Skilled ABS technicians are trained to handle even the most complex brake problems and will inspect every component of your brake system when you bring to get a brake repair job done.

If suspect it is time to get your brakes inspected or repaired due to some problems you have been experiencing, take it in to a reputable brake service center to get it looked at. Try a car care center that is trusted in the areas of providing safety and excellent car maintenance. A professional car service center will check out each and every part of your braking system to determine which areas need repair. Call or go to a reputable company that has extensive knowledge and experience repairing brakes for all of you brake care needs.

Read more »

Brake Repair - Troubleshooting Your Car's Brake Issue

Are you having a minor issue with your brakes? Some common issues can be detected and identified by you, making brake repair or replacement a much easier ordeal. Here are a few detailed issues to help you recognize what's wrong with your car.

Low Fluid

This is a common problem that can be caused by a number of things. Worn pads are sometimes the cause of a leak in the brake system. Low fluid is usually indicated by the appearance of your Brake Warning Light on your instrument panel. If this light appears, all aspects of your ABS need to be inspected for leaks, including wheel cylinders, hoses and lines, master cylinder and calipers. If there is in fact a leak, replace the faulty component before operating your car again.

Low Pedal

If you have a drum based friction system, sometimes the shoe adjusters can rust or become stuck. this causes them to lose their effectiveness in resisting lining wear. This can cause the pedal to sit lower than usual. Fixing this problem usually involves a simple adjustment of the rear drums. If this type of brake repair is beyond your skill level, seek out qualified help from someone you trust.

Soft Pedal

If your pedal seems to be responding in a spongy or soft type of manner, it can mean that air has entered the ABS. This is the result of fluid loss or an irregularly low fluid level, or as an effect of improper brake bleeding. A proper bleeding based on your particular ABS can solve the problem quickly and won't necessitate full-on brake repair.

Pedal Pulsation

If your pedal is pulsating or shaking when pressure is applied, this means that a brake rotor is warped and needs to be replaced or resurfaced.

Scraping Sounds

Unlike a somewhat harmless squeaking sound, scraping noises should be considered with caution. This usually is a sign of metal-on-metal contact because of a worn out pad or shoe components. These sounds should be investigated into immediately, as your car is in dangerous condition to drive and needs an extensive brake job overhaul.

Squeal

If your brakes are squealing, it can be caused by vibrations between the pads and the caliper or rotor. Eliminating this sound is easy, and be done by replacing or resurfacing either the pads or rotors, and sometimes both. If that's too costly, there are also other methods to conquering this noise. Noise dampening shims can be placed behind the pads, or a number of noise control compounds or high temperature grease can be applied to the rotors and pads.

Grabby Brakes

If you're experiencing a jerky sort of sensation while braking, it's because of oil, fluid or grease on the pads. This causes them to slip and grab. This problem can be remedied by replacing the contaminated pad and eliminating the source of the slippery fluid. The fluid could be seeping in through a leaky caliper or close oil leak. If your drums or rotors are badly scored, this can also cause grabby or uneven brakes. In this case, simply resurface the rotors.

Most issues should be handled by an automobile professional, but early detection and inspection can give you an edge when repairing your car. Pay close attention to your brakes to keep them in good condition!

Read more »

Brake Repair - Troubleshooting Your Brakes Before You Take Them To The Shop

Before you take your car into the shop for brake repair, make sure you try to get a good idea about what's wrong. A little prevention can go a long way in keeping your brakes healthy, and also keeping your car out of the shop. When there's something wrong but you don't know what it is, here are some brake repair troubleshooting tips to help you figure out what's wrong.

Squeaks And Squeals

Usually, the sign that something's wrong comes from the sounds we hear when we step on the brake pedal. In most cases, squealing brakes mean that you've got metal on metal contact, and that's not a good thing. The pads may have worn down and that's what's causing the problem. However, if you've just bought a new car, the squeals may be totally natural. You sometimes get this with a brand new vehicle. If you've got squeals, you should at least have them checked. Metal on metal is not healthy and it will only wear down more if it goes untreated.

Grinding sounds are also not good. If it sounds like something's grinding every time you step on the pedal, this means that your brake pads are just about to call it quits. Take it in to have it looked at right away.

Check Brake Fluid

If your brakes are acting funny, it could be fluid that's needed. If this is all it is, you don't have to take it to the shop for any brake repair; you just have to fill her up. Open the hood and look at the brake master cylinder (the cap will probably be labeled). It's really simple; just unscrew and check the level. If it's under a certain line, add more fluid, close the cap and you're done.

It Should Be Smooth And Easy

When you step on that pedal, it should be smooth and easy. If it doesn't press down well, or if it sticks to the floor, you may have something wrong with the pedal itself. This can be really dangerous because once the pedal goes, you will have no control over your brakes.

If, on the other hand, the pedal is smooth but the stopping of the car is jerky, this could be the rotor. The rotor is the metal disc that the pads grip to stop the car from moving. If it's jerky when you step on it, or it feels like it's gripping the rotor suddenly, this might mean you need to get the rotor replaced. If this is the case, make sure they completely replace it. Some garages will only adjust it.

A great way to become an even better troubleshooter is to learn how the braking mechanism works. Start with your car manual and look online for more information about how your make and model's braking system works. This will help you understand what's wrong when they don't work the way they should. If you've got a problem, take your car into the shop for brake repair immediately. This is essential for making sure that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy. Brake repair could even save your life or the lives of those around you.

Read more »

Brake Repair - Tips to Help You Find a Company to Meet Your Needs

It can sometimes be daunting to find a service station where you feel comfortable leaving your car. If the maintenance involves brake repair, you will only want the best since your safety and that of everyone who rides with you is at risk. Below, you will find a few tips to consider when searching for a company to meet your requests.

Ask Friends and Family

Getting work done on your car is never fun, yet it's necessary. So when it's time to go in for brake repair, you want to work with a professional you can trust. Since you may not know anything about such work, you would not realize if you're being taken advantage of or not. To minimize such problems, start by asking the people you know. Automotive work is something every driver needs to have performed and you're bound to know someone that can refer you to a good, trustworthy professional that's going to do the job at a fair price. Additionally, if you tell the professional you found out about them through a previous customer, they are more likely to do a good job since they'd want you to spread the word about them to others in the future.

Search the Internet

Jumping on the Internet is a quick way to find a brake repair specialist fast. You'll end up with tons of results when doing a broad search, so be sure to tighten the scope by specifying your location. You should be able to find an array of companies and services nearby. Be sure to read up on a few reviews and find out if they're with the Better Business Bureau to make sure they're reputable. Also, take the time to go to some of the websites of companies you find if they have them. Not only will you learn more about their offerings, you may even find out about specials they're running.

Look in Your Own Backyard

People often drive right past brake repair shops everyday and may not notice them. It is only when you need work done that you will decide to take a second look. Take the time to keep an eye out for the nearest shop that can handle your needs. If you have time, stop in and let them know you're hoping to get some brake repair work on your vehicle and that you're comparing places and prices. You never know, but they may try to beat a competitor's price just to gain your business as loyal customer.

Check the Newspaper

Some companies run specials on a regular basis in newspapers. Be sure to take the time to go through the paper, especially the Sunday edition, in order to find the best deals on any type of automotive maintenance. Some places may conduct services at a discounted price, throw in a new pair of windshield wipers, wash your car, or more. Be sure to bring any type of coupons you find with you to the shop in order to get your discount or other perks.

Read more »

Brake Repair - Tips Before You Get Your Brakes Fixed

If you are a driver, you will need to get your brakes repaired eventually. Many brake repair jobs are affordable, but even those that are not will be necessary to get your vehicle road ready. So, if your brakes are squeaking, moaning, grinding, or not functioning well, you need to take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic. A brake repair mechanic will inspect your brake system and give you proper advice. If you want to be safe on the road, it is essential that you get your brakes inspected once or twice a year. If you don't, you could have serious problems. Your brakes need to be in good working order because you need them to stop on the road. A good technician will also clean your brakes and make sure they are dust-free and working properly.

Your brake pads need to get replaced in time because they get worn out. If you are on a budget, find out if the auto service center in your area sells cheap, generic brake pads. Generic brake pads are safe, but they may be noisier than name brand brake pads. If you want make-specific brake pads for your car, you should contact your dealership.

Before a brake repair technician begins to work on your car, ask a few questions. Find out exactly what will be done to your car. Find out how long the repair will take and how much it is going to cost you. Get a written estimate that lists all the fees you will be required to pay if you need to. No work should be done on your car unless you have authorized it first.

Before you get your brakes repaired, find out if the auto repair service center offers a warranty on the work. If you have a warranty and the work did not fix your problem, the shop will fix the problem at no cost to you. If you are offered a warranty, find out if you can get it in writing. You should also find out how long the warranty is good for.

When you look over the bill, review it carefully. Make sure you know what you are paying for. If something is not right, speak up about it.

Don't drive with worn out pads for a long time, because that will do a lot of damage to your rotors. If you never drive with worn out pads, your rotors should last you a lifetime.

When you visit a brake repair technician, make sure he also checks your brake fluid. The fluid is an essential part of the whole system's operation and it needs to be changed periodically. You can prevent major problems by getting it changed from time to time. You should also purchase some of the fluid to keep in your car, and check the fluid level weekly. There are many different kinds of brake fluid, so if you don't know which is best for your car, ask an experienced technician, check your car's owner manual, or call your dealership.

You should always use your car's brakes responsibly. Don't apply a lot of pressure to them when you don't need to. You should also avoid carrying around a lot of weight in the car. The extra weight can cause your car's braking ability to wear down faster. Follow these tips and get this vital part of your vehicle inspected and repaired when you need to, and you will save yourself some money and a lot of frustration.

Read more »

Brake Repair - Things to Consider When Getting Brake Repair

We see cars everywhere we go all the time. We use our own cars almost all day and every day. We use our cars to get to work, to get around our neighborhoods, and to have a fun night on the town. We also use our cars to make very important appointments and do other things in our communities. We have become very reliant on cars and their proper operation. We have become so reliant that sometimes we are not prepared for a failure in our vehicles and this type of failure can ruin our plans for an entire day or even more. Imagine having your car suffer a failure right when you get into it in the driveway in the morning. You may not be able to meet any of your appointments that day. For these and other reasons, it is important to carefully consider a car repair service professional.

There are all kinds of systems at work in a vehicle. An engine has all sorts of parts that must work together in unison to get you from one place to another. These parts move together and it is their motion that propels the vehicle. However, one of the most important parts of a car is the system that stops this motion. That system is the brakes. We are all familiar with the importance of stopping when you are in a moving vehicle. Sometimes we are surprised by things in traffic or on the road that cause us to have to use our brakes very quickly. For this and other reasons it is important that we maintain this system specifically. It is for your own personal safety and the others on the road.

You need to trust that the people who work on your brakes and provide brake repair are friendly professionals. A friendly professional can make you feel comfortable when you are doing something as stressful as bringing a car to the shop. They can also help you learn a few things about the workings of your car so that you can do a better job of maintaining it in the future. They can give you tips on things to listen and look for regarding your brakes in general so that you can be on top of your game maintenance-wise. Finding professionals who offer this type of service can give your car a great boost and extend its life.

The experience and expertise of the professionals doing work on your brakes is also of a lot of importance. Generally, maintenance of brakes and brake repair are very important. At the first sign of problems, be they a strange sound or a different feel on the road, you should check with a professional. Issues with the brakes can quickly become very dangerous and having your issues resolved by experienced and expert brake repair professionals can possibly save your life. You may find evidence of the experience and expertise of the workers by checking with the business online. Some even offer testimonials so you can get an inside idea of the type of services they provide.

Finally, you need to consider the thoroughness of the services provided. Make sure that you find a brake repair specialist who has a lot of concern for your well-being on the road and the well-being of the others you are sharing it with. Finding a professional who has high standards and does very good quality work can be of great benefit. If you can trust your car care provider, you will be more comfortable on the road. If you get regular maintenance and work with them on a regular basis, you can trust that your car will remain reliable and last longer than you would ever expect. Keeping these things in mind can be of great benefit.

Read more »

Brake Repair - Taking Care of Your Brakes

Brakes require maintenance on a preventative basis to keep them working as they were intended to work. In other words to have brakes that are safe you need to be up-to-date with your brake inspections and assessments. Do not wait until a problem crops up before you take action! Brake repair can start long before something goes wrong!

Preventative maintenance can mean a few different things. It means making sure that your braking system remains as clean as possible. The same goes for your wheels. Brakes that are as clean as possible function at a higher capacity. They also serve to keep the temperatures down. In order to clean your wheels buy a good quality wheel cleaner that you are guaranteed is safe to be used on the wheel finish. Do not ignore this aspect of brake repair.

Refrain from the temptation to ride your brakes when you want to stop. Instead what you should do is to slow your motor vehicle down with a moderate degree of pressure. Once you do this you can then release the brake and give it the opportunity to cool down. If you ride the brake pedal then you run the risk of causing too much heat which can wear down the brakes sooner as opposed to later.

When your car is poised on a steep grade such as a hill to preserve the life of your brakes you should downshift your brakes. You should only do this however when the traction conditions are adequate. In other words do not do this when your car is on a slippery surface such as ice and has very bad traction. The same goes for when you are on snow or even when there is a lot of rain.

If you downshift into a gear that is too low for the weather conditions then you could end up skidding. Downshifting is advisable when weather conditions do not present an issue. This is because the work of stopping the vehicle is done by the engine which takes some of the pressure off of the brakes.

Brake repair is something that is best left up to the work of a qualified mechanic. If you have a family member or friend who is a mechanic then perhaps this individual would charge you a fraction of what you would pay if you were to take your car into a service shop.

When your brakes are fixed ask the mechanic to apply an anti-squeak compound to the back portion of the pads. What this does is it prevents the brake pads from vibrating as they begin to wear out. This can be extremely frustrating to hear when you are driving. There are anti-squeak compounds that are pastes and ones that are sprays. In most cases the paste tends to be superior to the spray.

Tell the mechanic that you want to see the old brake pads that he takes out of your automobile. In that way you will know that he has done the work that you are paying him to do. This does not mean that you automatically assume he is dishonest. Rather you are looking out for your own best interests. Bear all of these items in mind when it comes to brake repair.

Read more »