Services >> Brakes Services

Brake Service Recommendations

Service and Maintenance

The following inspections and maintenance procedures can help prevent potential brake problems.

Did You Know?

When you step on your brake pedal, you command a stopping force 10 times as powerful as the force that puts the car in motion. The braking system can exert as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of hydraulic pressure on each of the four brakes.

Brake Repair and Brake System Maintenance

Ten signs that your vehicle's brakes need to be inspected:

1. If you hear a grinding sound when the brakes are applied (sounds like metal rubbing against metal)
   
2. The brake pedal pulses when you apply the brakes; indicates the brake rotors may be out of round
   
3. Brakes require more pressure on the brake pedal to stop the car
   
4. The brake warning light comes on (this could mean low brake fluid or that the brake sensors detect that the pads or shoes are in need of replacement)
   
5. When the brakes are applied, the car pulls to one side instead of staying in a straight line
   
6. The vehicle jerks when you apply the brakes
   
7. Your brake pedal is soft or mushy feeling
   
8. You need to pump the brakes in order to stop
   
9. You see fluid leaks around any wheel or in the engine compartment near the master cylinder
   
10. You detect a burning smell, even after a short drive
    

Brake and Brake System Inspection

At Martin Motors, our brake inspection is comprehensive no matter what make or model vehicle you drive.

Naturally, we look at the brakes themselves, making sure of the amount of lining that is left; then we inspect all of the brake components. Next, the rotors (on disc brakes) and the drums (on cars with drum type brakes) are inspected. These are checked to make sure that they're not being scarred, pitted or gouged or have suffered any type of damage that would make them unsafe. On cars with drum type brakes, this means removing the drums from the axles for a through inspection.

During this inspection, we look at the brake calipers, wheel cylinders and brake springs and adjustment mechanisms, making sure that all of these components are in proper working order. Your safety is our main concern.

After the brakes themselves, we look at the brake lines. The lines that are attached to the frame or body of the car are steel; where the lines transition to the wheels, they are made of rubber. So we look to see if the rubber is cracked or otherwise damaged, making sure it is in good shape.

Finally, we look at the fluid. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, which is to say, it holds water in its molecules (unlike oil and water which remain separate). We recommend doing a brake flush every time the brakes are renewed, (typically, in this area, brakes last about 35-40,000 miles).

As I mentioned, brake fluid retains water and the water lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is important because the brakes can generate a great deal of heat with high use.

For example, if you drive down a steep hill where you are applying the brakes frequently, the water allows the fluid to boil, decreasing its ability to push the pads or shoes against the rotors or drums, and slow the car. This is called "brake fade". Brake fade is not really a brake failure; however, the ability to slow or stop the car can be greatly reduced.

There is a test that we can perform that determines how much water is in the brake fluid. This test is part of our complete brake inspection.

If water is found, or if we are doing a brake overhaul on your vehicle, the fluid flush and refill service can be done reasonably inexpensively. We flush out all of the old fluid and replace it with new fluid for about $65.

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Rick Martin and may not be used without permission.

Last Updated - February, 2008