Brake System Service & Repairs

A: Brakes are essential parts in helping you reduce your speed and momentum. Your entire braking system is comprised of multiple moving parts and components. Without these parts, your safety, as well as others, cannot be guaranteed. For more information, you can learn all about your braking system in our detailed guide below.

Related: How Do Brakes Work?

A: During our multi-point inspection, we look at a number of things. When we conduct our initial inspection for your brakes we provide a thorough look at: 

• Signs of wear in your brake pads
• Brake shoes 
• Calipers 
• Rotors/Drums
• Master Cylinder & Fluid Systems
• Hoses 
• Parking Brake & cables 
• Wheel Cylinders 
• Wheel Bearings & Other Hardware

A: Common signs that your brakes are going out include grinding, a “soft and spongy” feel to your pedal, a unique burning smell, pulling to the left or right while braking, squealing, wobbling at faster speeds, shaking of the steering wheel during braking, and the use of excessive pressure on the pedal. 

A: Brake pads are pushed by the caliper onto your brake rotor and take the impact when you attempt to stop. These key parts generate heat because of friction and kinetic energy. During our inspections, we carefully examine your brake pads first. Often these pads are the reason for your squealing, grinding, and noise. 

A: A drum brake or rotor disc is another key component to your system. They come in the form of a large, shiny, disc and help you stop. When pressure is applied to them by your brake pads, they will slow down the spinning of your wheels. 

A: The noise generated by your brakes can be caused by a number of reasons. Most often, your brakes will squeal because your rotors/drums are rusted. Squealing noises are the result of bad brake pads rubbing against your rotors. Finally, grinding noises are direct results of the caliper rubbing against your discs. 

Related: Brakes Making More Noises? What Could It Be?

A: We recommend that you service your brakes anywhere in between 25,000-70,000 miles. Depending on the frequency you brake, current system configurations, environment, hardness, and materials, this could vary. You can also read our in-depth guide detailing this process here. 

A: The Anti-Locking Brakes System (ABS) is a common feature that comes equipped with most modern cars. The purpose of these systems is to prevent wheel lockups and skidding when you apply pressure to your brakes. However, this does not make you exempt from replacing your brakes. To learn more about your intricate ABS system, check out our guide. 

Related: Anti-Lock Braking Systems

A: Spongy or loose brake pedals are the direct result when your brake fluid does not flow in the lines. In most cases, the air has been trapped in your lines and this prevents the braking fluid to flow. In order to resolve this, we “bleed” the brakes which remove the trapped air. 

A: Similar to your “Check Engine Light” your car’s brake warning light can be triggered when an issue is detected from within your braking system. In more modern cars, these lights will go off on the dashboard and notify you if your master cylinder is faulty, low on fluid, or if you have your parking brake still engaged. Although these are common symptoms, we understand that all cars are created differently. For further assistance on what each signal may mean, visit your local AAMCO today for a free diagnostic. 

A: Should your brakes wear down, the parking brake is a secondary option to assist you. However, we do not recommend this parking strategy unless you are in a desperate situation. The braking response is different compared to your regular brakes and will often cause your transmission and rear brakes to lock up. Like other braking components, your parking brake is also susceptible to corrosion and loss of strength. Please also note, that your parking can fail too.

A: Although your vehicle’s alignment is spot-on centered, your car can pull to the left or right because of your brakes. The reason for the sudden pull in either direct is because of a caliper or an internal error within your braking system.