Complete Guide to Brake Repair: When to Service, What to Expect, and How to Keep Your Brakes Safe
Your brakes are literally the most important safety system on your car, and as a mechanic here in Walsall, I see far too many drivers ignore brake maintenance until it's too late. Today I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about brake repair, when to get your brakes serviced, and how to keep your family safe on the road.
Understanding Your Brake System
Let's start with the basics. Your car's brake system has several key components that all work together. You've got your brake pads, which press against the brake discs (or rotors) to create the friction that stops your car. Then there's the brake fluid that transfers the pressure from your brake pedal to the brake calipers, and the brake calipers themselves which house the pistons that push the pads against the discs.
Most modern cars also have brake drums on the rear wheels in some cases, especially on smaller vehicles, but the principle is the same - friction materials wearing against metal surfaces to stop your car safely.
Signs Your Brakes Need Repair
Here's what I tell every customer who comes into our Walsall workshop - don't wait until your brakes are completely gone before getting them looked at. There are clear warning signs that your brakes need attention:
Squealing or grinding noises - This is the most obvious sign. That squealing sound? That's your brake pads telling you they're getting thin. The grinding sound? That's metal on metal contact, which means you've waited too long and now you'll need new discs as well as pads.
Brake pedal feels spongy or goes to the floor - This usually indicates a brake fluid leak or air in the brake lines. This is dangerous and needs immediate attention.
Car pulls to one side when braking - This could be a sticking caliper, uneven brake pad wear, or a brake fluid leak on one side.
Vibration through the brake pedal - Usually means your brake discs are warped and need replacing or machining.
Brake warning light on your dashboard - Don't ignore this. It could be low brake fluid, worn pads, or a more serious brake system fault.
How Often Should You Replace Brake Components?
This is where I see a lot of confusion. Unlike oil changes, brake maintenance doesn't follow a strict mileage schedule because it depends entirely on your driving habits and conditions.
Brake pads typically last anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles. City driving with lots of stop-and-go traffic will wear them faster than motorway driving. Heavy braking, carrying loads, and driving in hilly areas like some parts of Walsall will also wear them quicker.
Brake discs usually last longer than pads - often you can get two sets of pads to one set of discs, but this isn't a hard rule. Sometimes discs warp or get scored and need replacing with the first set of pads.
Brake fluid should be changed every 2-3 years regardless of mileage. Here's why - brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, and water in your brake fluid lowers the boiling point. When brake fluid boils, you get vapor which compresses, and your brakes can fail completely. Don't take this risk.
What to Expect During Brake Repair
When you bring your car to our workshop in Walsall for brake work, here's what should happen. First, we'll do a complete inspection of your brake system. We'll check pad thickness, disc condition, brake fluid level and condition, brake lines for leaks, and test the brake pedal feel.
For a standard brake pad replacement, we'll remove the wheels, remove the old pads, check the caliper operation, clean everything thoroughly, and fit new pads. If the discs need replacing too, we'll remove the old discs and fit new ones, making sure everything is properly torqued to specification.
A complete brake service might also include replacing brake fluid, adjusting handbrake cables, and checking brake servo operation
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