4 Common Brake Repair Services in Boonsboro, MD
Are you experiencing screeching or grinding sounds when you use the brakes? Does your brake pedal vibrate, feel squishy, or go almost all the way to the floor before your car slows down? Do you need to fight with the steering wheel because your car pulls to one side when braking? All these signs are indications that you need to schedule a brake service. A qualified service technician can diagnose which brake repair service will solve your issue, whether it is installing new brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, or replacing a faulty master cylinder.
Types of Brake Repair
The braking system is rather complicated, especially on newer cars, with lots of moving parts and consumable components. It’s fairly easy to know your brakes need work, but it’s not always easy to know which parts need servicing or replacing. Let’s break it down and look at 4 common brake repairs.
1 – Brake Pads
Brake pads are one of the components that wear down every time you apply the brake. They work in pairs on each wheel, are attached to the calipers and squeeze against the rotor, creating friction (and heat) to slow down your car. One of the first signs that your brake pads are wearing thin is a squealing or screeching sound when you apply the brakes. If the screeching sound has progressed to a grinding sound, the pad has completely worn down and you’re now damaging the rotor with metal-on-metal action.
Brake Pads Life Span
There’s a lot of debate on how long brake pads last. It depends on what they are made of (metallic or organic compounds, ceramic, or other composite materials). Their life span can also be impacted a lot by your driving style, road conditions, weather, and terrain. You can expect your brake pads to last anywhere from 20,000 – 70,000 miles – which I know is a huge estimation. Consult your owner’s manual and your service technician to come up with the best estimate for your car and go from there.
2 – Rotors
The rotors are metal discs that rotate while the wheels are moving. The calipers press the brake pads against the rotors to slow down the car. This action creates friction and extreme heat that can scar and warp the rotors over time. If the rotors have become damaged, you may notice vibrations in the brake pedal or the steering wheel when using the brakes. If the damage to the rotors is not too bad, they can be resurfaced and put back into service on your car. But if routine maintenance has been ignored or put off for too long, the rotors may need to be replaced.
3 – Master Cylinder
The master cylinder is basically a hydraulic pump that moves pressurized brake fluid from the brake pedal through various pistons and finally to the braking components at the wheels. If the master cylinder goes bad, you may notice a mushy brake pedal, or a pedal that goes all the way to the floor before it engages. Another sign of master cylinder issues is leaking brake fluid. If you are finding golden-yellow to dark brown spots under your car, or the Brakes indicator light is on in your dash, get your car in for service ASAP.
4 – Brake Fluid Flush
Getting your brake fluid inspected regularly is one of the most important services to have performed on your car. The entire braking system depends on the quality and quantity of your brake fluid. Old or burned brake fluid no longer provides adequate lubrication and cooling properties to your braking components. This can cause excessive wear and result in expensive replacements. If you are leaking fluid, the pressure is compromised and you may experience intermittent braking issues. Leaking fluid may also indicate air or other contaminants in the line, which can compromise the safety of your car. A brake fluid flush will involve draining all the brake fluid from the system, refilling it with fresh brake fluid, and bleeding all the air out of the entire system.
Routine Maintenance
Having routine maintenance performed on your vehicle is a smart move for many reasons. Following the factory suggested maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual can help prolong the life of your vehicle and keep expensive repairs or replacements down by finding minor issues before they become major repairs. Since many factors can affect your brakes, a good rule of thumb is to have your braking system inspected at least once a year, or as often as every 4-6 months/5,000-10,000 miles.
Brake Repair Shop in Boonsboro, MD
Welcome to Eby’s Garage. We specialize in Auto Repair, Brake Repair and Factory Scheduled Maintenance. We are ASE certified and updated on a constant basis to provide you with top quality service. Our modern repair facility uses the latest computer hardware and software to diagnose your vehicle. It is important to have your braking system checked on a regular basis, especially if it has been a while since your last brake inspection.
Schedule A Brake Repair Service
To schedule a service, visit our website or call our shop at (301) 432-5130 to set up a day and time that works for you.
Open Monday – Friday 7:30am – 5:00pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday