Brake Service and Repair

Brakes are the single most important safety system in your vehicle, and need to be maintained properly to avoid problems down the line. Fortunately, the early signs of brake failure are very prominent: squealing or grinding noises when braking are the most obvious symptoms. Even more pressing is a much quieter problem: a soft brake pedal. Soft brakes sink all the way to the floor and indicate that immediate brake service is needed, as it could mean your brake lines have air contaminating them.

Brake Components

While the majority of brake service revolves around replacing pads and rotors, the braking system on modern vehicles is complex and made up of many different components.

Pads

Brake pads help slow your vehicle down by squeezing the rotor, with pressure applied from the brake caliper. Pads can be made from ceramic or metallic based materials, and are considered a wear item. The friction and heat generated when applying the brakes will slowly wear the pads down until they need to be replaced.

Rotors

Rotors, sometimes called “discs”, are connected to the wheel hub, immediately behind the wheel. The rotors rotate with the wheels, and provide a surface for the brake pads to clamp down on to. Over time, rotors can form “lips” on the outer edge and become warped, impacting brake pedal feel and stopping performance.

Calipers

Calipers allow the force applied to the brake pedal to push the calipers into the rotor, stopping the car. Calipers will generally last a long time, but they can fail. A failed caliper is a serious safety hazard and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

Brake Fluid

The braking system only works because of hydraulic brake fluid. Brake fluid works by transferring the force you apply to the brake pedal to the brake caliper and stopping the car. Brake fluid lives in a reservoir and travels through brake lines.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water from the air. Over time, brake fluid can become contaminated with water and other particles, reducing its effectiveness. Periodic brake flushes are a recommended service every two years or 24,000 miles.

Brake Lines

Brake lines allow for the transfer of pressure from the brake master cylinder to the caliper. Leaking or damaged brake lines can cause a loss of braking power, leading to a potentially dangerous situation.

Brake Booster

Also known as a vacuum servo, the brake booster uses the vacuum generated by the engine to amplify the force of the brake pedal being depressed. This component sits immediately behind the brake master cylinder.

Master Cylinder

The brake master cylinder is responsible for converting the force of the pedal being compressed into pressurized hydraulic fluid. Master cylinders are essentially pistons that compress the fluid in the brake lines. The brake fluid reservoir typically sits on top of the master cylinder.

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes are an older technology that can still be found on certain modern vehicles, especially trucks. While they still operate on the same principle, drum brakes use a different assembly and components. While they are becoming less common, our team can handle the maintenance requirements of drum brakes.

Signs Of Brake Issues

If you’re hearing a metallic squeal when you’re moving, that’s your brake pad letting you know you’re close to the danger point of damaging your rotors. The sound could mean that marks are being made on the rotor. If your car has rear drum brakes, it could also mean that your brake shoe needs lubrication.
Common signs of brake issues:

Call or Schedule Now!

We offer the most complete and reliable auto brake service in the area. Our experienced team can determine if your vehicle needs brake repair or a whole brake replacement, and our ASE-certified technicians will perform the auto brake service quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Visit us today and we’ll show you why we’re the most trusted brake service facility in the Denver metro!