Ultimate Guide to Brake Service and Brake Repair
Your brakes are one of the most essential systems in your car, and arguably the most important element for safe driving. Whether you’re coming to a stop in your neighborhood at a stop sign or have to suddenly avoid an accident, your brakes must work the way they are supposed to every time to keep you, your family, your vehicle, and others on the roadway safe.
Today, we’ll run through what high-quality brake service and repair looks like by trained and qualified technicians, as well as signs that your brakes may need to be serviced or repaired.
What To Expect During Brake Services
It is fairly easy to find a brake shop, as they are pretty much everywhere. What is not easy is finding a brake repair shop that is trustworthy and that you can trust to do the job right the very first time.
At Ramona Tire & Service Centers, our technicians are ASE-certified, unlike some other brake shops. That means you can have peace of mind when it comes to your brake service. Ramona Tire offers a free brake check whenever you get your tires rotated and with every oil change upon request.
We offer several brake servicing options, including:
- Complete free brake inspection.
- Replacement of brake pads or shoes.
- Lubrication of hardware and calipers, rotors and machine drums.
- Full brake fluid flushing.
We will also test drive your vehicle to make sure everything is working as it should to keep you safe.
Your Brakes Should Be Checked Every 6,000 Miles
It is important to have your brakes checked every 6,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first, to keep your brakes in good condition and make sure any small problems in your brake system are caught before they become major problems.
Every car and truck is different and has different brake pads and rotors, and are driven in varying driving conditions which can cause varying degrees of wear on your brake system. If you suspect there is a problem with your brake system before your next scheduled inspection, bring in your vehicle to your nearest Ramona Tire as soon as possible.
Signs That Your Brake System Needs To Be Serviced
There are several things to keep an eye out for that could indicate that your brakes need to be repaired or serviced. If you notice any of these signs make sure to take your vehicle into your nearest Ramona Tire location to be serviced:
- Pooling of yellow brake fluid under your vehicle.
- Your brake pedal vibrating or not compressing smoothly when braking.
- Your vehicle pulls to one side while pushing the brakes.
- Squealing, grinding, or banging sounds while braking.
- Having to push your brake pedal much harder to come to a complete stop.
- Your vehicle takes longer distances to come to a complete stop.
Your “check brake light” may also be on, which could be caused by several issues, such as low brake fluid, a problem with your anti-lock brake system (ABS), an electrical problem, or a problem with a sensor. Our expert brake technicians can determine the problem when you bring in your vehicle to be serviced and recommend what should be done to correct it.
How Your Brake System Works
As automotive technology has become much more advanced over recent years, the systems on your vehicle—including brakes—have become more complex. Here’s an overview of how today’s brakes work so you can be better informed the next time you get your brakes services at your neighborhood Ramona Tire.
Your brake system can be divided into two categories—hydraulics and friction materials.
Friction Materials
Most newer vehicles have what is called disc brakes, which is a metal disc that your tire is mounted on. When you push your brake pedal, the hydraulics push two metal or ceramic brake pads against the disc and the friction that this causes in turn causes your car to slow and come to a stop.
Some older vehicles have what is called drum brakes on the back tires and disc brakes in the front. These drum brakes have brake shoes instead of brake pads. The brake shoes fit inside the drum and when you press your brakes these brake shoes press outward against the inside of the drum which causes friction and slows your vehicle to a stop.
Hydraulics
The master cylinder is the first step in the hydraulic system. When you press on your brakes, you are causing physical pressure and the master cylinder takes that physical pressure and converts it to hydraulic pressure. Hydraulic pressure is fluid pressure. So your master cylinder causes your brake fluid to be pushed out to the other components in the wheels.
The next step in the hydraulics system is the brake lines and hoses. These are steel braided lines and high pressure shock and resistance hoses which are made to handle the high pressure of the brake fluid and deliver it to the wheels.
The last step of the hydraulics system is the brake calipers on disc brakes or wheel cylinders on drum brakes. In disc brakes, the hydraulic fluid goes into the brake calipers and is used to force a piston to squeeze the brake pads into the brake rotors. In a drum brake system, the hydraulic fluid is forced into two cylinders which are surrounded by rubber-sealed pistons which push the brake shoes into the drum and cause the friction used to stop your vehicle.
Brake Repair FAQs
When should I have my brake fluid changed?
Having your brake fluid changed varies depending on the vehicle but the general recommended time is every two to five years. Some ways you can know your brakes should be changed are:
- Your brake pedal feels spongy and it feels harder to press than normal.
- You are hearing weird noises from your brakes, this can be caused by dirty or low brake fluid.
- Your ABS light comes on, which can be caused by low or dirty brake fluid.
- A burning chemical smell after you brake, this could be caused by brake fluid leaking onto your brakes.
Why are my brakes making a grinding noise when I brake?
Why do brake pads need replacement?
