What are some of your most common questions about brake services? Let's answer them!
Have you ever wondered how brakes work?
When you press down on your brake pedal, your vehicle's cylinders activate, sending brake fluid to your calipers so that they can power your brake pads. Then, your brake pads apply pressure to your rotors which clamp down on your wheels, bringing your vehicle to a safe and smooth stop.
What does it mean to have your brakes inspected?
When you visit us for brake repair, we inspect all the parts that help you stop your vehicle safely. At our comprehensive brake inspection, we check out all the intricate and vital components of your vehicle's brake system.
After we've inspected your brakes. we'll provide you with a detailed report on the condition of your braking system. If anything needs repair or replacement, we've got the expertise necessary to bring your brakes back to running like new and get you safely back out on the road.
We perform a thorough inspection of the following braking components at every brake service:
- brake pads/brake shoes
- calipers
- rotors/drums
- wheel cylinders
- master cylinder fluid exchange
- brake fluid condition
- springs and adjusters
- parking brake cables
- wheel bearings and grease seals
How often should you have your brakes checked?
Your vehicle's brakes need to be in good shape if you want to feel safe behind the wheel. And regular inspections will help catch problems before they get worse. We recommend that you have your brakes inspected at least once a year and certainly at the first sign of a problem.
The owner's manual for your vehicle will likely list specific brake inspection intervals. You can also check there to see when your next brake service is due.
Are you curious about the components of your braking system?
What are brake pads/brake shoes?
In vehicles with disc brakes, your brake pads act as the middleman between your tires and your rotors. When you hit the brake pedal, they apply friction against your tires, slowing your car to a halt. If your vehicle has drum brakes, brake shoes serve a similar purpose.
What are brake rotors/drums?
In vehicles with disc brakes, brake rotors are circular disks in your vehicle that help slow it down when the brakes are applied. In drum brake systems, we might also refer to them as drums.
What are brake calipers?
Brake calipers are the disk-shaped components of your braking system which squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to slow down or stop your vehicle.
What is brake fluid?
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in vehicles to create resistance in hydraulic braking systems.
What is a hydraulic braking system?
Hydraulic braking systems utilize pressurized hydraulic fluid to slow and stop a vehicle.
What is a brake hose?
A brake hose is a flexible, reinforced rubber hose that carries hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers and other hydraulic components on your vehicle.
What is a brake cylinder?
A brake cylinder is the part of a vehicle's brake system which converts the force of the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure.