Brakes servicing and safety checks

• Genuine and OEM replacement components as required to suit your vehicle and budget
• Advanced diagnosis of complex ABS and Integrated braking systems
• Fault indentification of Dynamic and Effective braking / stability systems
• Diagnostics computers to suit all major branded vehicle to diagnose in depth and mobile braking problems

Your vehicle braking system is important for the continued safety of both you and other road users. Being able to stop rapidly and safely in the event of an incident or bring your vehicle to a regular controlled stop are all reliant on an effective braking system.

Poor braking, unusual noises and juddering are all indictors that the braking system may require attention. In addition system failures can be indicated with a brake warning or ABS warning indicator in the vehicle information display and dashboard.

Vehicle braking systems are complex relying on many moving and electrical components. A number of the components are considered consumable items in that they will wear out over time and continued use and these components should always be checked and changed in acordance with manufacturers requirements or when it becomes apparent there is a need to tend to these items.

Poor braking, unusual noises and juddering are all indicators thay the braking system may require attention.

Any indication of a fault with your brakes should be investigated immediately to avoid causing further vehicle damage or endangering yourself and other road users.

Braking Components

Braking systems make use of a number of consumable components to operate; these are items that effectively slow the vehicle by causing friction (ie. rubbing together!) and will eventually wear out.

Brake Pads are, as the name suggests, pads that make contact with a moving disk to slow the car; the friction of the pad being mechanically forced against the brake disk slows the car and dissipates the energy as heat. This friction and heating process take their toll on the pad and disk. These components are designed to wear in a controlled manor, with the brake pad wearing more rapidly than the more expensive disk.

Brake Disks are disks that spin with the road wheels of the vehicle. Under braking the brake pad is mechanically forced against the disk, causing friction that slows the vehicle to a stop. The harder the pad is forced against the disk, the more rapidly the vehicle will slow. Brake disks are designed to be harder wearing than brake pads, and therefore last much longer.

Brake Fluid is an oily fluid contained in the hydraulic braking mechanism. Brake fluid is hydroscopic (it absorbs water) and the operation of the braking system will be impaired the more water is in the fluid. The brake fluid of your system is tested during a routine service and will be changed in the event of too much water being found.

Most manufacturers recommend routinely changing brake fluid after three years from new and every two years following.

Brake Shoes are an alternative to brake pads used in drum braking systems. These are typically found in the rear braking system of smaller vehicles where the braking force required is lower.

Brakes and the MOT test

Your braking system forms part of the standard MOT statutory inspection and any failure will lead to a vehicle MOT failure. In additiona visual checks of your braking system and any concerns will be noted during an MOT inspection.