Brake Service, Inspection and Repair

The brakes on your vehicle are extremely important for the overall safety of you and your passengers. Regular brake pad checks are strongly recommended – your brakes should be inspected at least once a year.

Brake Fluid Exchange

Parts, like the rubber in the valves in the master cylinder, calipers and wheel cylinders deteriorate. Little bits flake off and dirty the brake fluid, compromising the effectiveness of the brake system. In order to ensure your brake fluid is doing its job well, the brake fluid should be flushed.

A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes flushed about every 30,000 miles (48,280 kilometers) or so. Note that brake flushing and bleeding the brakes are two different procedures. Brake flushing involves removing all the brake fluid from the system and getting all-new, clean fluid inside. Brake bleeding just means removing enough brake fluid to get air bubbles out of the brake lines. So, make sure you get your brakes flushed regularly.

Replacing Brake Pads, Rotors, and Calipers

Just as your gas mileage will vary depending on where and how you drive, so it goes with the life of brake pads (or linings), the friction material that gets pressed against a metal disc or drum to stop your vehicle. Brake pads wear every time the brakes are applied. So, if the vehicle is often driven in stop-and-go traffic, the faster the pads wear out. The size and weight of the vehicle also have an impact on how fast the brake pads wear out. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut schedule that tells you when it’s time to replace the brakes, so having them checked and listening for signs is crucial.

Brake pads wear every time the brakes are applied.

Top Ten Signs of Brake Wear:

High pitched squealing
Vibration in the steering wheel when stopping
Grinding noises when stopping
Increased braking distances
Longer pedal travel
Feeling the car “pull” to the left or right when stopping
A weak emergency brake
A bad smell after coming to a hard stop
Pedal “fade”
Not stopping

Rotors and calipers are another component of the braking system that need replacing when worn down or not working properly.

Other Brake Services

Brake drums, brake hoses and steel lines as well as master cylinders and bearings need attention, especially as a vehicle ages. We can help with these services as well.

Let Olympic Transmission and Auto Care serve you here in Olympia/Lacey!