There are many different reasons you may need to have your car brakes serviced. They might be making a strange noise, they could be pulling one way or the other, or you might feel a vibration in the brake pedal. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to get them checked as soon as possible so that you don’t risk brake failure.. In this article I will discuss where to find a good service, what you can expect, and what it costs. I will also share my experience with the brake service near me.
Map of Brake Service Near Me
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What to Expect From a Brake Service Near Me?
Your brakes are one of the most critical safety features on your car, so it’s essential to make sure they’re always in good condition. Knowing whar to expect before you go in, will help you set reasonable expectations for your service.
Here are few things you can expect from a brake service:
The first thing that will happen when you take your car in for a brake service is that the technician will inspect them. They’ll check the pads, the rotors, and all of the other components to see any signs of wear or damage. If there is damage, they’ll let you know and recommend what repairs need to be done.
The next step is to clean the brakes. This involves removing all of the old fluid and debris from the braking system and replacing it with fresh fluid. This is a critical step, and you should make sure that it gets done. After the brakes have been serviced, they’ll need to be tested again in order to ensure proper function. The technician will put your car up on ramps or jacks so that they can test drive it while pumping the brake pedal over and over again at different speeds. This allows them to check for any issues with acceleration when braking.
The last thing you can expect from getting your brakes checked out is being given advice about how long before you should come back in. This will depending upon how often you use your vehicle, where/how much you’re driving, and how aggressive you are on the brakes. Typical brakes last between 25K and 65K miles. But, of course, if you’re not sure, you can always ask the technician for a more specific answer.
What Does A Brake Service Near Me Cost?
A job replacing the brake pads will run on average about $250-$400 per axle. For heavy-duty pick-up that pulls heavy loads regularly, expect to pay more.
On higher end vehicles like a Mercedes AMG there carbon-ceramic rotors and high-performance brake pads, which make the costs run over $10K. While ceramic brakes have amazing benefits and performance, they are VERY expensive.
How to Save Money on Brake Service
A good thing to also check is websites like Groupon. The brake service near me, regularly runs a 15% of coupon for pads and brake service. It may be worth checking to see if your local shop runs any deals.
What Parts of a Brake Are Typically Inspected?
Every brake service will be different depending upon what type of car you have and how it’s driven. There are a few parts that will always need to be inspected…
The Pads
First is the pads that sit next to your rotors and rub against them every time you step on the brakes. If this pad gets worn down or has any cracks in it, they can damage your rotor as well.
The Calipers
Another part that needs inspecting would be the calipers. These hold onto your brake fluid and keep it from leaking out. If the seals inside begin to leak for any reason, they should probably get replaced. You want this fluid in good condition because it’s the only thing that stops your car from crashing completely when you hit your brakes!
The Rotor
The last part of a brake service that will usually get inspected is the rotor. It’s located behind each wheel just below the pad, where it’s held on with screws or bolts depending upon whether your car has disc brakes or drum brakes. If there are any cracks, deep scratches, warps, etc., they might need replacing, but often this isn’t even necessary so long as nothing else needs fixing.
Additionally, the rotor and the pads themselves will need to be turned (or resurfaced) for them to keep their flat, smooth surface that allows your brakes to function properly.
Common Issues Associated With Needing a Brake Service?
Most common is a squeaking noise when braking. This is one of the tell tale signs you have an issue with your brakes. If you have disk brakes they may squeak a bit when you first start driving. You should really listen for when the brakes are warm. The most common issue when you hear squeaking is when the pads need to be replaced. Thats because the pads are worn down and you are hearing a built in indicator. This can happen due to normal wear and tear over time. A Pad replacemnet service usually, this will only take about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Common warning signs that your brakes are bad include:
- Car is not stopping properly – could be thin brake pads.
- Squaling sounds – a low pad indicator is designed to make a really irritating noise when you brake.
- The brake pedal goes down further then normal – could be a sign of an air leak or fluid leak in the brake line.
- Vibration in the brake pedal – Often a warning sign of warped rotors.
- Fluid on the ground – Could be brake fluid leaking out from your brake line.
- The vehicle pulls to one side when you brake – could mean your pads have worn unevenly or there is a blockage in the brake line.
- Metal on metal sounds – If the sound is violent and loud your pads are completely worn out. This noise is the rotor being damaged.
- Warning lights on the dash – two particular lights are important to look for; anti-lock brake light, indicated by a red “ABS” and Brake! written with an exclamtion point.
Is it My Wheel or My Brakes?
You can sometimes feel a brake problem like a thudding in the wheel well when you brake from high speeds. There are other reasons like bent rims, that could cause a similar issue, but a brake issue you will feel in the steering column, possibly feel it in the brake pedal, and hear it in the wheel well.
Another less common problem would be if your rotors had some deep scratches or warps inside. This causes friction between the pad and rotor. It will sound like metal on metal and you will physically feel it when you depress your brake pedal.
If this happens, then changing out either one might not help because once again, it’ll just come back after driving around a while. In these situations, it’s probably best to replace both the rotor and pad so that you don’t have any issues with your brakes at all. This is also something that the technician can help advise you on if they find it during their inspection.
How Often Should Brakes Be Replaced?
This will vary depending upon how often you drive your car and what type of vehicle it is. Some brakes don’t need to be replaced for at least a few years, but generally 25k – 65K miles is pretty common. If you’re unsure whether or not yours are due for replacement, ask the person working on them.
Brake servicing is one of the many regular vehicle maintenance jobs you should stay on top of. Regardless of mileage you can often get your brakes checked at little to no cost when you visit a shop.
How Do I Know If They Are Being Honest With Me?
It is truly hard to know if a mechanic is being honest with you. Most times you need a mechanic it is an emergency, you don’t have the luxury of reading on line reviews. There are three things I would suggest if you felt that someone said you need to replace your brakes and you are feeling unsure of the recommendation:
- Trust your gut: Ask yourself how many miles are on the vehicle and does it make sense that you are having to replace your brakes or brake pads at this interval.
- Ask to see a manager or foreman: Most shops will have a manager on shift you can also speak to.
- Ask the mechanic to show you the issues on your brakes. They can also take your brakes or brake pads off and show you or they can take a picture if they don’t want you in the work area (which often for safety reasons).
When in doubt you can take steps to inspect your brakes yourself prior to a service appointment. Knowing a bit about brakes and your particular situation, will let them know you are an informed consumer.
How to Choose a Brake Service Near Me
If it is not an emergency to get your brakes done, then shopping around is a great idea. A general auto shop can be just as good as a shop that specializes in brakes. The difference may be available parts. For most vehicles though brake parts and supplies aren’t an issue unless you have a high end performance car.
When picking a shop for brake work:
- Call and get several quotes from shops in your area
- Find out if they do mobile brake work if you need the option of them coming to you
- Read reviews on Yelp and Google My Business
- Ask how long the work will take
- Find out if they offer any guarantees or if the brakes have any warranties
- Ask if they have any current deals or coupons available
You will want to tell them more about:
- What make and model of vehicle you have
- How many miles are on it
- Describe the issue you are having (example my brakes are squeaking)
Brake Service Near Me Conclusion
A brake service usually involves inspecting and replacing a few essential parts. Brakes like tires are essential to making your vehicle stop! If you have any questions about brakes and brake service you can always ask the mechanic at the shop. It’s best to find a mechanic you trust beforehand instead of having to find one out of necessity. In my experience most shops are honest and trustworthy, but you should trust your gut. If it’s doesn’t sound right, maybe it is not. That is what I have learned from the places that do brake service near me.