Brake Repair, Service, and Inspections in San Antonio, TX
Auto Service Experts Brake Shop
For top quality, reliable brake repair in San Antonio, trust your vehicle to the specialists at Auto Service Experts. Our ASE Certified Master Technicians have been specializing in automotive braking systems for over 20 years. We use only high quality & OEM parts to ensure lasting performance and safety, and back our work with a complete warranty on parts and labor.
Your vehicle’s brakes are integral to the safety of you and your family and are one of the most important automotive systems to monitor and service regularly. Without proper maintenance and timely repair, the wear and tear on your car brakes can increase the time and distance required to stop your vehicle in an emergency. Routine maintenance also helps avoid more serious repairs in the future. Having the pads replaced at recommended intervals can prevent damage to rotors and save money in the long run. Having a brake inspection by a certified mechanic at regular intervals also helps to catch minor problems before they become larger ones.
Brake Job by Auto Service experts Mechanic
ASE Certified automotive technician Roman Oliveras performs brake service at our complete automotive service center. This video highlights Roman replacing the pads and rotors in order to restore reliable, smooth vehicle stopping power
Our professional mechanics are committed to providing exceptional service at affordable prices.
When having your brakes serviced, it is important to be aware of the major difference in the quality of different brake pads. Budget brake pads may be cheaper upfront but are not a good investment over the long term. This is because you will have to pay for the labor every time they wear out. Brake pads which will last you three years are a much better investment than cheaper ones which will have to be replaced every year. Higher quality pads also offer better stopping power, quieter braking, and less brake dust.
Many of our brake pad replacements feature CarQuest Wearever pads which are specially engineered to provide exceptional stopping power, extended lifetime performance of your vehicle’s brakes, and cleaner wheels. These ceramic and semi-metallic formulated pads are designed for quiet, smooth, and consistent braking, and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you are unsure which are the best pads to use for your specific vehicle and driving conditions, call and speak with one of our friendly automotive consultants- we are always happy to help!
Most people know that brake problems are a major safety concern. If the event of brake failure, you won’t be able to stop the vehicle and may crash. Did you know that other important safety systems rely on proper braking system operation as well? Brake problems also affect the stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes systems.
Disc brakes are made up of the rotors (also called discs), calipers, and brake pads. Rotors are connected to the wheel. When you push on the brake pedal, pressure is transferred to the brake pads inside the caliper on either side of the rotor. Pressure from the brake pads slows the rotation of the rotors, which slows the wheels and eventually stops the vehicle.
Braking System Operation & Brake Service Recommendations
Brake pads are designed with friction material designed to slow the rotor when pressure is applied. As this material wears away, the metal beneath it begins to contact the rotor and stopping power is decreased. When the pads need to be replaced, you will hear a screeching or whining noise. Replacing the pads when recommended helps to prevent damage to the rotors and ensures that you are able to stop your car in an emergency situation.
Rotors need to be machined (resurfaced) or replaced periodically as they become warped, cracked, or scratched. They may also wear down below factory specifications and not have enough material left to make contact with the brake pads. In this situation rotor replacements are required. Rotors should always be inspected at the time of service. New brake pads on bad rotors will not provide adequate performance. The price of new rotors has gone down significantly and it is now often more cost effective to replace rotors than to resurface them.
Brake Inspections
If brake failure occurs while you are driving it is a terrifying experience! Routine brake inspections can ensure that it never comes to that. Most people know that if you hear a squealing or chirping noise when you slow the vehicle, it is time for brake service. This sound is usually caused by a metal tab which is built into the brake pad and serves as an early warning indicator that it is time for a brake pad replacement. If the pads have worn away completely, you may hear a grinding noise caused by the metal beneath the pad grinding against (and damaging) the rotor.
There are several other important components in an automotive braking system which can also become loose, damaged, or fail over time. If you hear a “chattering” sound, it may be caused by a loose component (such as a pad or caliper) and should be diagnosed immediately to avoid complete brake failure. If a component completely brakes off, you may not be able to stop your vehicle.
Custom machine work to replace rear drum brakes on a 1974 Chevy K5 Blazer with rear disk brakes from a 2005 Chevy Avalanche 4×4.
Any time you notice anything unusual while braking, take your vehicle to a trustworthy local auto repair shop for an inspection. Signs of brake problems include a decline in performance, strange noises, a brake pedal which is very hard to push in, or a soft/spongy brake pedal. The best way to minimize component damage and avoid safety issues is to follow the manufacturer’s service schedule and have routine brake inspections at the recommended intervals. Auto Service Experts certified brake mechanics thoroughly inspect all major braking system components every time we perform any brake service. By ensuring that all components are in proper operating condition, we are able to back our brake jobs with a full 3 Year/36,000 Mile Warranty on Parts and Labor.
Following a few driving and brake service/maintenance tips helps prevent major repair due to unnecessary damage to the system. See our Auto Repair Blog for helpful advice on this topic and much more! Watch the video on this page for information on System Operation and Importance of Routine Service!
Brake System Components
Several common signs indicate a need for brake service:
Dashboard Brake Light
Your vehicle is equipped with a dashboard brake service/repair warning light to alert you to problems within the system such as low fluid or worn brake pads. Do not ignore this light! Having an inspection immediately upon noticing this light can prevent you from causing further damage, save you money, and possibly save your life! That being said, there are also circumstances when repair is required but the warning light does not come on, so it is best to follow the manufacturer recommended service/ inspection schedule. For more detail on this subject see our blog article on automotive maintenance and vehicle safety warning lights.
A car’s dashboard brake light connects to both your emergency brake and your auto braking system. It automatically illuminates when the E brake is engaged. If it remains illuminated when the E brake is off, it indicates an issue. The most common issue is low brake fluid. Low fluid is not caused by normal wear and tear, it doesn’t evaporate or get used up. This means that it is likely caused by a leak in the system (possibly in a hose, connection, or the reservoir).
ABS Light
Issues within the ABS (Antilock Braking System) may cause a warning light which is amber in color. Most modern vehicles are equipped with a separate ABS light. A red warning light could mean a system imbalance and indicates that your vehicle is in need of a brake check.
Some vehicles are also equipped with a wear indicator which will trigger the light when the pads are worn down to a certain level and need to be replaced. If pads are extremely worn, the piston has to travel further to make contact, pulling additional brake fluid down with it. In this situation, the fluid level is low because it has a greater area to cover, not because fluid has leaked out leaving less in the system.
Grinding
A metallic grinding noise means that the pads need to be replaced immediately. Driving with worn through pads causes more damage to your vehicle, can turn a minor problem into a major one, and most importantly, endangers you and others. This is one of the most serious signs of a vehicle which desperately needs maintenance.
Our Complete Brake Check Includes the Following Inspections:
- Fluid Condition (when fluid is exposed to moisture it becomes acidic and can damage the seals and ABS module).
- Lines
- Pads
- Calipers
- Emergency Brake Adjustment
- Hoses
- Rotors
- Check for leaks in:
- Fitting Hoses
- Junction Blocks
- Lines
- Master Cylinder
- Modules
Brake Job on 2012 Dodge Ram 350
Chirping Noise or Squealing Brakes
Brake pads are designed to tell you when they require service. Once they have been worn down to the recommended replacement level, a metal warning tab makes contact with the rotors and causes a high pitched squealing noise. This noise is noticeable at slow speeds, and commonly disappears when you apply pressure to the pedal.
Low or Fading Pedal
If your pedal sinks down to your floorboard when you stop your car or if you have to pump the pedal in order to stop the vehicle, this could indicate an internal leak in the master cylinder or lines. This is a serious and potentially dangerous condition which requires immediate attention by qualified technicians.
Brake Drag/ Vehicle Pulling To The Side
Caliper slides or pistons can become stuck causing them to apply uneven pressure. Catching this problem quickly can keep you from having to replace your rotors due to uneven wear and damage. This is an example of when timely brake inspection can save you from more costly repairs down the road.Chirping Noise or Squealing Brakes
If you experience any of these warning signs, bring your car in for a complete system inspection. Auto Service Experts ASE certified brake mechanics have the state of the art diagnostic equipment, experience, and technical skill to handle any repair or service needs, both minor and major.
Why Routine Service and Inspections are Necessary
While auto brake performance has steadily improved over time, these systems still need to be thoroughly inspected at least once a year including removing the wheels and checking all hidden internal components. The above conditions are obvious signs that brake service is required. However, keeping up with regularly scheduled maintenance before noticing the signs of problems can save you a lot of money and unnecessary inconvenience.
Several factors affect the lifetime and performance of your brakes system. Driving in heavy stop and go traffic, riding your brake pedal, and slamming on the brakes can all cause the system to wear out faster than normal. Replacing worn pads before they allow metal components to connect and wear on one another can help you to avoid more costly repairs such as replacing drums or rotors.
Proper auto suspension system maintenance affects braking performance as well. Driving with worn shocks or struts can dangerously increase the amount of time it takes to bring your car to a complete stop. Your car’s brakes rely on maintaining constant contact with the road and require proper vehicle weight distribution to function correctly. As shocks and struts gradually wear out, the consistency of the wheels’ contact with the road is decreased, and weight is unevenly distributed. Driving on the highway with worn shocks can increase the vehicle stopping distance by as far as 22 feet!
Benefits of a Complete Brake Check and Timely Repair:
- Peace of mind – Protect your safety and your family’s by avoiding the possibility of your automotive brakes failing when you need them most.
- Save Money – Detect minor issues before they cause further damage which requires major repairs.