Brake Repair

Master Auto Repair of Webster Groves > Services > Brake Repair

Brakes are often taken for granted. We press our brake pedal so often without fail that we never expect a problem to occur. Here at Master Auto Repair of Webster Grove, we want to make sure your brakes stay dependable.

Your vehicle’s brakes are like the hand brakes on a bicycle. The wheels are bolted to smooth steel rotors, called discs, and a heavy caliper encloses part of the rotor like a clamp. The caliper holds the brake pads, and when you step on the brake pedal hydraulic pressure forces the pads against the rotor, dragging the vehicle to a halt.

The friction material on the brake pads is a ceramic or semi-metallic compound that may take as many as 60,000 miles to wear down. With wear that’s so gradual, it can be hard to know when it’s time for brake service.

Signs You Need Brake Service:

Strong pull to one side while braking
Vibration or pulsation through the brake pedal while braking
Longer stopping distances
Longer brake pedal travel before brakes engage
One or more wheels tend to lock up and skid while braking

Brake pedal feels “soft” or “spongy” underfoot
Brake pedal slowly goes to floor while holding the vehicle stopped and in gear
Loud squeal, groan or metallic grinding noise while braking

Of all these, the grinding noise is by far the worst. It means that your brake pads’ friction material has worn to a point where the metal backing plates of the pads are exposed. All your braking effectiveness is coming from metal to metal contact, and the metal plates are quickly digging grooves into your rotors.

Get Brake Service & Repairs at Master Auto Repair of Webster Groves!

Brakes should be inspected for wear at least twice a year, and the pads should be replaced at a minimum thickness of ¼”. At Master Auto and Tire, our trained and experienced ASE-certified techs can take on any brake issues you might have, regardless of what you drive. Don’t take chances with your own safety – make an appointment with us at Master Auto and Tire of Webster Groves for brake maintenance or repair!

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