Brake repair and inspection
Brakes wear faster here than the mileage suggests. Stop-and-go traffic means far more brake applications per mile than open-road driving, and hills add heat. A set of pads that would last years elsewhere can be done much sooner on a car that commutes across the city.
When you bring a car in for brakes we look at the whole system — pads, rotors, calipers, hoses and fluid — because replacing pads onto worn rotors just puts you back in the same place sooner.
Signs your brakes need attention
- Squealing — usually the wear indicator doing its job
- Grinding — metal on metal. Stop driving on it
- A pedal that feels soft, spongy or sinks toward the floor
- The car pulling to one side when you brake
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel when slowing
- Longer stopping distances than you are used to
What brake service covers
- Measure pad thickness and rotor condition
- Inspect calipers, slides and hardware
- Check brake lines and hoses for corrosion, cracking and leaks
- Test brake fluid — it absorbs moisture over time and loses its boiling point
- Replace pads and rotors where needed
- Bed in the new brakes and road test
We tell you what we found and what it costs before we do the work. Nothing happens that you did not agree to.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need rotors as well as pads?
Sometimes. Rotors have a minimum safe thickness, and if they are below it or badly scored, new pads onto old rotors will not stop well and will wear quickly. We measure them and show you the numbers.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, which lowers its boiling point and can make the pedal feel soft under heavy use. Most manufacturers specify an interval in the owner’s manual — check it, and we will test the fluid while the car is here.
Is squealing always serious?
Not always — the wear indicator is designed to squeal to warn you before the pad runs out. Grinding is different, and means the friction material is gone. Get that looked at immediately.