Brakes are one of the most important systems on any vehicle. They are often overlooked and neglected, because lets face it, there is more to life than worrying about your brakes! Well, whenever we see a car in the shop, we do an inspection on the entire braking system, because we would hate to see you have a problem with it.
There are many options out there for brake parts, and not all are created equal! Just because it is cheap (or expensive) doesn't mean it's good.
We are familiar with all the available brake parts for your German vehicle. We can suggest pads based on your driving habits, needs and budget. Brake pads are a wear item, but so are rotors.
German cars utilize a high-carbon rotor that wears out with the pads, so the rotors cannot be turned. Sometimes they can be re-used with another set of pads, we measure them to be sure. Typically the front brakes wear through the rotors in 1-2 pad sets. The rear typically wear out in 2-3 pad sets.
Swing by today for your courtesy brake inspection and we can make sure your vehicle is safe and reliable!
Funny thing about cars, as much as we like to go in them we also enjoy having the ability to stop. When brakes go bad or do not work properly, accidents are prone to happen. Nothing is meant to last forever, and while a good set of brakes can last a good long time; they eventually need to be replaced. There are many different components to the brake system and a variety of things that can go wrong.
Like people, vehicles each differ in the way they are made and the parts they consist of. Each person is unique, and typically so is each vehicle. There are many different parts that can be included in a braking system, and while each car may not consist of all of these parts; chances are they will at least have a few. It is important to understand that the braking ability depends on the load to the wheel during braking (Front brakes, rear brakes etc.).
First of all is the parking brake system. The parking brake system is a separate braking system implemented within a vehicle to keep the car parked and in place if the regular braking system fails. The parking brake system is made up of parking brake cables and a disc brake caliper. The disc brake caliper is fitted with either a park brake or a park brake lever on drum brakes. Typically, the parking brake can be initiated through either the lever in between the seats that the driver pulls up or by an extra petal located to the left of the regular brakes. In some cars, the emergency brake is a lever under the dash on the driver’s side.
Next is the brake pedal. The brake pedal is used by the driver to increase the force applied to the brake pedal pad. Typically, brakes consists of pads and rotors. The brake rotors is part of a disc brake system; the rotor is actually the disk. The brake pads is typically a lining secured to metal plates that presses against the rotor in order to enable the wheel to stop.
Brake lines are typically included in order to carry brake fluid from the Master Cylinder to the brakes. The brake fluid is a special purpose fluid (with a high-boiling point) that transmits hydraulic pressure, generated by the Master Cylinder, to the braking units. The Master Cylinder takes the applied pedal force and changes it into a hydraulic pressure to transfer to all four of the wheels. The amount of pressure applied during braking is reduced by the power booster.
In order to apply the brakes, a pedal pushrods sends movement through the power unit over to the master cylinder piston when the driver presses the brakes. Using pressure differences in a diaphragm unit, the power booster increases the amount of force being applied in the brake circuit. The brake light will switch on in order to alert drivers that something inside their braking system is not working properly. If the light comes on, it is best to have the brakes checked out before stopping becomes a noticeable concern.
There are many ways for a driver to know that their brakes are malfunctioning, even if the brake light doesn’t come on right away. One of the most common ways to know your brakes need to be checked is if they feel different as your press the brake pedal. It may be harder or easier to press. If your vehicle pulls to one side or vibrates when you press the brakes, you should get them checked. If your car takes longer than normal to stop, or doesn’t stop well at all, you should have your brakes checked. If you hit the brakes and hear squeaking, squealing or grinding sounds, you should check your brakes.
Typically, brake evaluations do not take very long. If the light is on, the repairman can run a diagnostic test on the computer to locate the problem before running the check, and if the lights not on it still will not take to long for them to locate the problem. Most mechanics can do a brake check from start to finish in about an hour to an hour and a half. Once the problem is found, you will typically be given an estimate on the costs. The brakes are one of the most essential functions within a vehicle, and with so many parts that can go wrong, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. Typically, the brakes will be checked, an estimate and explanation will be given, and then repairs will be done so that the vehicle will safely stop when it is supposed to.