BRAKE REPAIR CALGARY
Your brakes are extremely important. Having good brakes just keeps you out of trouble. This is why you’ll want to carefully maintain your brakes.
What Causes My Brakes to Wear Away?
With disc brakes, brake pads rub on a disc – or rotor – to slow the wheels. The brake pads are attached to a caliper that squeezes the pads against the rotor. It’s kind of like how squeezing the handbrake on a bicycle pushes the brake pads against the wheel of the bike. Pads just wear away with use – kind of like a pencil eraser wears out. The good news is that replacing brake pads is a straightforward repair.
In vehicles equipped with drum brakes, the brake components are housed inside a drum that rotates with the wheel. When you step on the brake pedal, brake shoes push out against the inside of the drum, slowing the wheel. Brake shoes wear away with use from rubbing on the drum as you brake.
When is it Time to have My Brakes Checked?
If you hear squealing or grinding when you use the brakes, have your service advisor check them out. He’ll have a technician perform a thorough brake inspection to see what needs to be done. He’ll check for signs of brake problems and go over other brake components to see that they’re working properly.
He can tell you if it’s time to replace the pads or if there are other issues with your brakes that should be addressed. Ignoring the warning signs and driving long after the pads are worn out causes the metal brake components to grind on the rotor, damaging it enough that it needs to be resurfaced or replaced.
Rotors can also warp or crack, in which case they’ll need to be replaced. Brake calipers also wear out over time. They can develop leaks or the caliper pistons can freeze open or closed – either way it’s not good. When this happens it’s time to replace the calipers. A thorough brake inspection will reveal worn bearings or seals as well.
Our Brake Services in Calgary
Precision Alignment and Brake in Calgary can install new brake pads on your vehicle that will restore your brakes to manufacturers’ specifications. Or, we can install upgraded parts to increase your stopping power and reduce brake noise and brake dust. We have several options to meet your braking requirements and your budget.
Taking care of your brakes keeps them working safely – and could prevent premature brake repairs down the road.
What is power brake service and why do Calgary drivers need to have it done?
Imagine you pour a tablespoon of water in your hand and throw it as hard as you can. Now, suppose you suck up a tablespoon of water into a syringe, push the plunger and squirt it out. Which would go further? Of course it’s the water squirting out of the syringe. That’s because you pressurized the water.
Your power brake system is kind of the same thing. When you step on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes brake fluid which actuates the brakes so you can stop. Calgary drivers who don’t have enough pressure – can’t stop.
A leak in your brake system would decrease – or even eliminate – your stopping power. Brake fluid attracts moisture which can cause leak-inducing corrosion. So a great way for Calgary drivers to keep their brake fluid free of contaminants is to change it when recommended. Enough brake fluid is needed for the proper function of anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control systems.
Your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Precision Alignment & Brake in Calgary will inspect your brake fluid level during a full-service oil change. If it’s low, it may indicate that a thorough brake inspection is needed. Low brake fluid is most often caused by worn brake pads. Some of the signs of a leak are reduced stopping power and spongy or hard pedal feel.
If you suspect a problem, come into Precision Alignment & Brake in northeast Calgary for a brake inspection right away.
Contact Us to Setup an Auto Repair Appointment Today!
We offer complementary shuttle service for longer jobs of 2h or more, and this would need to be arranged at the time of booking appt.