Brake Repairs & Service

This may also be due to brake fluid or brake booster issues, but the most common reason is needing new brake pads. If you find your car pulls just to the one side, your brake pads are likely showing signs of uneven wear. This can also be caused by misaligned wheels, so it’s best to fix this quickly.

If your brake pedal feels ‘hard’ when you apply pressure, it could be several things; a failing vacuum pump or power steering pump, a cracked vacuum hose, a seized caliper, even sludge in the brake lines. Stiff brakes can also be caused by a vacuum leak affecting the brake booster pressure, which stops the brakes from working properly. The leaking part would require replacement to fix the issue.

This is your very literal warning sign that your car brakes need checking right away. If your brake warning light comes on and stays on, it could be due to needing a parking brake adjustment, having worn brake pads, or even indicating hydraulic issues. If the light is on only when you hit the pedal, it could mean you have very low brake fluid in the master cylinder – or, you may have hydraulic pressure loss on one side of the vehicle.  Either way, don’t delay getting your brake system checked out.

This is maybe because the shock absorbers are worn. A worn shock absorber can increase your braking distance by up to 20%. Book in today to get your shock absorbers checked.

A spongy brake pedal are definitely not a good sign. A very low or spongy pedal means there’s likely air in the hydraulic lines of your car’s brake system. Over time, air can get into the brake lines and stop the hydraulic fluid from doing its job. This creates low hydraulic pressure. If the hydraulic pressure gets too low, your car’s brake pads or shoes may no longer be able to apply enough force and friction to safely stop your car. This is what makes the brakes feel ‘soft’ or ‘spongy’, which limits your ability to stop sharply in an emergency. If your brakes are spongy, get them fixed immediately by your local mechanic before they get you into a dangerous situation.

When the steering and brake pedal shake this is usually because the disc rotors on your vehicle are no-longer running true (or warped). To rectify this, the disc rotors must be machined or if they have been machined before and are found to be under size, they must be replaced. If you have this issue with the steering wheel particularly, it’s probably the front rotors that need attention. If the shaking is felt through the pedal itself, it’s likely the rear rotors. To have your car stopping smoothly and sharply, talk to the experts at Auto Masters. Our highly trained mechanics will ensure your braking system is fit to perform when you need it most.

Squeaky brakes occur for a variety of reasons. Often it’s harmless, the result of something like temporary moisture in the brake pads. But continuous squeals or brakes grinding should be taken very seriously as they may mean it’s time for new brake pads or shoes. Worn brakes can mean longer stopping distances and difficulty stopping in emergency situations. And rotors and drums that wear too thin can even become over-stressed to the point of cracking or breaking. If you have noisy brakes, the most common causes are: Worn brake pads Foreign objects inside the brake calipers; or, dust and debris between pads and brake rotors (you may notice this after driving on unsealed roads) Lack of brake lubrication causing friction between components If you hear squealing or grinding, have your brakes checked right away. This especially applies if the noise is ongoing, or changes; for instance if a squeak becomes a grinding noise, or if you start to notice you’re losing braking power. Even if you don’t hear squealing or grinding, have your brakes inspected once a year along with your standard service. Simple brake adjustments and repairs can make a real difference in your car’s safety, so get in touch with your nearest Auto Masters today.