Brake Servicing Halifax

Brake Servicing Halifax

Sometimes, when you replace new pads. Hence, it is possible to forget to open the brake bleed nipple. Thus when you push back the piston to remove the old pads. Because the bled nipple is closed, then the fluid is pushed back into the brake master cylinder. As a result of this, the fluid can reverse the seals in the master cylinder.
However, this would not be the case if a professional mechanic had fitted the pads, while having a Sometimes, when you replace new pads. Hence, it is possible to forget to open the brake bleed nipple. Thus when you push back the piston to remove the old pads. Because the bled nipple is closed, then the fluid is pushed back into the brake master cylinder. As a result of this, the fluid can reverse the seals in the master cylinder.

car brakes problem

Brake Failure in Preston

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Brake Failure in Preston

Brake Failure in Preston
Brake Failure in Preston

Brake Failure in Preston

Despite how crucial they are, vehicle owners frequently ignore brakes.

For my part, I was just as guilty of this when I was younger and a junior mechanic. Back in the sixties, when I was just starting out as a mechanic, my boss Peter let me use his car for the day. He gave his blessing, but stressed the importance of checking the brakes and oil before heading to the British seaside resort of Blackpool.

As a newly qualified driver, I was going the maximum allowed speed of 30 miles per hour through the town of Preston as we drove back from Blackpool. Back then there were very little motorways and the route home took us on the main highway and through the town of Preston. Cruising down the high street, I should have been able to stop easily when I got to the pedestrian crossing. As I tried to use the brakes, though, they slid straight to the floor, and I had a terrifying rush of fear, as the car failed to stop.

first ever drive out of Yorkshire. Brake Failure in Preston

I veered off the road and crashed onto the sidewalk to avoid hitting a pedestrian crossing the street. To slow the car, I pumped the brake pedal rapidly, creating enough resistance to bring the vehicle to a halt. Once my pals and I moved the car a hundred yards down the road to a mechanics shop, I lifted the hood and saw that the brake fluid level was at zero and a chill went down my spine.

Luckily, we were able to get topped up with Brake Fluid, so we replenished the reservoir and pumped the brakes till they worked again. Although it was a scary ordeal, we eventually made it back to Yorkshire. Having learned my lesson the hard way about the importance of working brakes, I swore never to let it happen again. Here are a few things you need to know about brake maintenance before setting out on a trip.

If you and your passengers value your lives, you should never go out on a long trip without first checking the brakes.

Here are six good reasons to inspect your brakes before every long trip:Brake Failure in Preston

  1. By performing routine inspections of the braking system, one can prevent brake failure by finding any issues before they become serious. Finding issues before setting off on a trip is preferable to discovering them mid-trip.
  2. To guarantee effective stopping, make sure: In order to stop your car, you must first apply the brakes. If they are in good working order, you won’t have to worry about being able to stop in time to avoid a collision.
  3. You can keep your brakes going for a lot longer if you perform routine maintenance on them. Such as checking for and replacing worn brake pads and shoes. In the long term, this can help you save money by reducing the need for costly brake repairs or replacements.
  4. Overheated brakes pose a serious threat to safety, especially while driving uphill or pulling a heavy trailer. If you give your brakes a once-over before you head out, you can keep them from overheating and still use them when you need them.
  5. Improving the vehicle’s overall performance is a side effect of maintaining healthy brakes.

Your car will be easier to manoeuvre and more stable to drive.

Brake Failure in Preston
Brake Failure in Preston

Checking your brakes before starting off on a lengthy trip is crucial for your peace of mind. Confidence and security when driving are greatly enhanced when you know your brakes are in good working order.

Brake inspections should be part of a driver’s routine maintenance .Brake Failure in Preston

because they literally have life-and-death implications. As specified by the VOSA MOT test, the British MOT test has contributed significantly to the improvement of road safety in the UK. Because they were traditionally located beneath the vehicle, unprotected from the elements, checking the brake pipes was a hassle. They have a special coating of wax, oil or even plain grease to keep the elements at bay.

Even with this safeguard, brake pipes can rust and leak braking fluid over time, causing the brakes to gradually fail. By performing routine checks on your brake pipes, you can prevent something similar to what happened to me in Preston.

car brakes problem

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY: Could Save Your Life ?

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CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY
CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

Along with your tyres , your car’s brakes are the most important (and sometimes most neglected) part of your car. I have been guilty of neglecting my brakes. Especially, when I was a young man. When I was a young mechanic, I borrowed a car from my then-boss, Peter.

Peter said that I could, but I must check the car’s brakes. Also. the engine levels before setting off on my journey. I was heading for Blackpool. a seaside resort on the west coast of the UK. On our return home, we started to pass through a town called Preston.

I was doing the statutory speed of 30 mph

and was approaching a pedestrian crossing. Of course, I should have had to stop. But, when I pressed the brake pedal,. Then there was nothing there. Hence, the pedal went straight to the floorboards.

Consequently, I had to swerve the car to miss a guy walking across the crossing. Ending up on the pavement (sidewalk). I rapidly pumped the pedal and managed to get some brakes. Thus, on the pedal. Luckily, the vehicle came to a stop. My  friends and I managed to push the car to a garage filling station. Of course, a hundred yards down the road.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

 I lifted the bonnet (hood) only to find that the car brake fluid was at zero level.. in the fluid reservoir. I felt a cold chill down my spine. Because I remembered what my boss Peter had said. Just the day before we set off. We managed to buy some Tesco brake fluid and top up the reservoir.

The car brakes pumped about halfway up. Luckily, the car would stop when I pressed the pedal. So, we limped home back to Yorkshire, UK. Subsequently, it was a rather terrifying experience. Of course, which I vowed would never happen again. Lessons were learned that day. As a result, I am going to spell out a few important things about the care of your brake discs. Hence, for your understanding,. Before you embark on a journey or indeed at any time that you own a car,.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES regularly Your brakes are a life saver

The British MOT test has been a great step forward towards the safety of our cars and our roads. When your car is having it’s annual MOT test, we check everything on that car ( to the  VOSA MOT test specifications). One of the problems with old was the checking of your car brake pipes.

Brake pipes connect all four-wheel braking systems and the cylinders and brake pedals and are fixed under the car, exposed to all the elements. A special coating of wax, oil, or occasionally just grease protects them.

Despite all the protection,. The corroded brake pipes would rust and then start to leak the brake fluid, eventually causing the brakes to fail, similar to what happened to me in Preston.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY for corrosion

The MOT test makes sure that all your brake pipes (lines) are in good working order, and if not, the car will fail the test and the pipes will have to be replaced. If you are not sure about the condition of your brake pipes, you can get them checked out at your local independent garage, free of charge, or at the local garage that you use at the moment.

You must always check the brake fluid

in the reservoir under your bonnet, and top it up if required with the correct fluid. Check your brake pedal; it should feel nice and solid. If it goes too far down, then have yours checked by a professional garage or mechanic. Don’t take risks, you should not have to pump your pedal to get a good brake.

Your brake fluid should be changed every so often; this can be done when you have your car serviced, Your local garage will be able to ascertain when, by looking it up on his service
computer for your model of car, we use the Autodata system for checking out the fluid change times.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY Including the Fluid Levels

Also, you should check your disc brakes and Car Brake Pads. These are the parts that constantly wear out and need replacing with brake pipe kits when they get down to a certain thickness.

When the pads wear down to the the metal part of the pads

then this is when you can hear a loud grinding noise that frightens the driver to death. Once again, if this happens, you should have your car’s brakes checked by a professional mechanic or your local garage.

Once again, if you have your car serviced when you have your annual MOT test then your brakes will be checked and should be fine for the next year. If your brake pedal does not feel right or goes further down than it should before you get a brake, then have the car checked out. Do not continue to drive until the car is checked by an expert.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY- Thanks www.mot-halifax.co.uk
car brakes problem

Mazda 5 Brake Problems-crawls in with Brakes Problem making a bad Grinding noise?

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Mazda 5 Brake Problems

Mazda 5 Brake Problems
Mazda 5 Brake Problems

Mazda 5 Brake Problems

One of the benefits of being an independent garage is the huge diversity of cars that pass through our doors, and our ability to service and fix most of them. I say most of them, because we do have some problems with electrical faults, that can’t be detected without specialists equipment and so in that case we have a couple of different guys who are mobile  electrical specialists. Otherwise we can cope with most car problems.

One popular car to run around Halifax UK, is the Mazda 5. The most popular ones being the different Mazda sports cars, that in my opinion were a similarity to our own beloved MGB sport cars, they all look very much alike.

Mazda’s have come a long way since the 1960’s, when they were inspired by the development of the NSU and the Wankel engine. I remember this little car very well; a mechanic friend bought one and showed me the strange engine that was belt driven. The car was also very fast once it got going and the guy used to frighten me to death: eventually the engine blew up and the car was scrapped.

Mazda were very interested in the German technology

So the Japanese car company formed a business alliance. Of course, with the German car company NSU. In 1967 Mazda started to make a limited production model called the Cosmo Sport and eventually became the sole makers of the Wankel engine, this was only because all the other car companies had given up making the rotary engine.

The Mazda car company was beginning to get a good reputation and started exporting their cars from Japan, both the rotary engine and the standard type piston engine layout, all over the World. These cars were primarily the rotary engine cars, especially the RX models, the RX 2, 3 and 4, were the biggest sellers.

In recent years many other very reputable models were introduced to the UK car market and this brings me onto the Mazda 5 that came into us with brake problems. The customer

originally rang us up for a Brake Replacement Cost, but we explained that we could not tell what the problem was until we removed all the wheels and inspected the Car Brakes including the Car Brake Pads, to see what the problem was.

The customer was a lady with a couple of children and we promised to do the best price for her. This Mazda 5 is a very fuel efficient car with great style and with the performance is a very desirable people carrier and so is very popular as a family car.

The Mazda was left with us for the day with a promise to call the lady with a Mazda 5 Brake Problems, as soon as the problem was assessed.

We pulled the car onto the car-ramp and removed all the wheels for a brake inspection

The original problem on the Mazda 5 was that the Mazda 5 Brake Problems were making a terrible grinding noise, and we soon found out why? The front brake caliper’s was half seized up.

This means that only one of the front Brake Pads were actually working. The one pad that was doing the work wore out quicker than the other pad. Until it went down to the bare metal. Hence,this is what made the terrible grinding noise. From the front of the car.

The other front Disc Brakes were also in need of replacing, so we gave the lady an estimate, and we were given the go-ahead to do the work on the Mazda 5. Luckily, the brake calliper could be freed off with a little heat and did not need replacing. All the other parts—the discs and pads—were replaced. The rear brakes were in good condition and only required a clean-up and the drums replaced.

This type of problem is a common fault with brake discs. Thus, it is one of the reasons that you should have your car and your brakes serviced. Of course, here in the PellonAutocentre Halifax area, we service car brakes on most car makes and models. In a service, one of the things that we do is clean and grease the caliper’s. So that they do not seize up and frighten the customer to death. especially when they hear the dreaded grinding noise of metal on metal. Naturally, when their brake pads wear out,

The job was completed, and the happy customer picked up her car in the evening.Mazda 5 Brake Problems

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer Mazda 5 car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Also selling tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing.

car brakes problem

Car Hand brake- Car Repair MYTHS ? Hand Brake (Parking Brakes) Customers always want it Checking?

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Car Hand brake

Things that motorists still ask for when having a car repair.(Car Hand brake)

Consequently, this is an article about some of the things that motorists ask for or ask us to check. Hence, when they leave their car with us for servicing. I have to admit that most of these guys are male. Thus, from the older generation of motorists.Naturally, who remember some of the problems that they used to encounter in the past. Of course, on some of the older model cars that were driven then.

Therefore,one of the most asked questions is “Can you just adjust my Car Hand brake”. This comes from the days when I was a young mechanic. So all you had to do to adjust the hand brake on most regular cars. Was to take out a split pin, and turn a screw thread. Of course, to either lengthen or shorten the hand brake cables.Thus giving you more leverage from the handbrake in the brake shoes.

When the handbrakes finally snapped with rust or age. Then, all you had to do was replace it with a new cable,”simple”. This type of hand brake system was always failing. Especially, when you pulled on the hand brake.So, the cable would snap. This, was responsible for many an accident.With cars parked on hills running away. However, this is the type of Car Hand brake that some motorists think their car is fitted with. Thus,thinking that it is only a ten minute job to adjust (at probably no cost to him ).

(Parking Brake)

As the modern car progressed. So it was clear that better braking systems had to developed. As a result, cars were getting faster, then they had to stop more efficiently and quickly. This brings us up to date. Consequently, with more and more car manufacturers using discs on all four corners of their cars. Not fitting the drums system at the rear. (Some newer cars still have drums at the rear, but more are favouring four wheel disc systems, for greater braking efficiency). Modern cars also have a separate handbrakes system. Including, their own drums system. Thus, working in conjunction with the rear discs. of course, which are virtually a separate system from the main brakes. Many cars are now fitted with duel cables. So, that are better protected from the outside elements (corrosion) .Most Car Hand brake on modern cars are much more complicated to service. Of course, now are one and two hour jobs to complete. Some smaller cars have still got rear drums. A Car Hand brake that works by connecting to the Rear Brake Shoes. Requiring freeing off from time to time. Also and lubricating as part of a regular service. But I am afraid that the cables still seize up and have to be come to us for a Car Hand brake Cable Replacement  from time to time especially as the car gets older.

brake is now a different animal?

In the more up to date modern car with disc brakes all round there is an additional lever and cork screw mechanism that is added to the calipers piston. When the driver pulls the hand brake on in the car, the lever forces the cork screw against the same piston that activates the foot pedal system.

This system also has problems with seizing parts and will take more than ten minutes to free off and lubricate for further use. There are other systems such as used by Volvo, that incorporate a separate drum with its own Ferodo Brake Shoes that is connected to the rear discs, this can also be a long job to service correctly.

To summarise the “can you just adjust my Car Hand brake” days are over, we as a garage need to take more time to repair and adjust the modern car hand brake system and indeed what we do is to offer a separate service just to do the cars braking system justice and to offer a first class brake service.

car brakes problem

Mercedes Vito Brakes

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Mercedes Vito Brakes

Mercedes Vito Brakes
Mercedes Vito Brakes

Mercedes Vito Brakes

So, I must admit that I am a great fan of the Vito van. A few years ago, I owned a beautiful red Mercedes mini-bus. Fortunately,  the vehicle was very reliable. Requiring very little maintenance apart from the normal servicing and the usual tyres and other renewable. As most of my readers now know, my wife and I had eight children. So we needed a large vehicle to transport the family.

We also did a lot of travelling!

Especially to France, where we spent most of our summer holidays. Unfortunately, the only downside came when we tried to sell the Vito. Positively, it was in great condition. Being a garage owner, we had the van service at very regular intervals. Brakes were a prime consideration. Because the safety factor when travelling long distances.

So, we advertised the van in all the usual places. Including online web sites. Finally we received an offer from a taxi guy from Chester. The price he offered was below the price that we were asking but we reluctantly let the Vito go.

Same colour Vito in for Brakes

Last week when visiting the garage in Halifax . So, I noticed a red Vito on one of the ramps having some work done. Significantly, the rear wheel were removed and the brake calipers were hanging down. Dale one of my mechanics was working on the van at the time. Asking what was wrong , Dale explained that the van had braking problems and indeed required a full brake rebuild on the rear brakes.

However, when removing the rear wheels

, Dale discovered a horrific problem ! The rear shock-absorber had completely broken off and was just hanging there! This can be clearly seen in the above image. Unfortunately, the break was from part of the chassis. Serious rotting had taken place in the shocker mounting area. Welding was not an option ! So, to correct this problem, a complete new chassis box section would have to be engineered. Consequently, this is beyond our remit and would have to be done by a specialist body repair shop.

After contacting the customer, we were instructed to carry on with the Mercedes Vito Brakes. As a footnote, the customer said that he had never heard any banging or strange noises at all. I find this hard to believe with a shocker hanging down.

car brakes problem

Jaguar XF Brake Problems: Hub Rusting the Main Culprit?

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Jaguar XF Brake Problems

Jaguar XF Brake Problems
Jaguar XF Brake Problems

Jaguar XF Brake Problems

We are fortunate to have a few of our customers who own a Jaguar XF.

So, like most older guys, I have always been a keen fan of Jaguar cars. Going back to when I was a young man working in a garage as an apprentice mechanic,. We were fortunate enough to have some wealthy customers. Importantly, who could afford to buy new Jaguars from time to time.

One of them was one of the directors of the Fox’s biscuits empire. Hence, who was one of the Fox families. Luckily, he always had four or five new cars on the go at once. Consequently,who always kept us busy with the servicing and repairs.

Jaguars have always appeared to have brake or tyre problems. So, throughout their history,. I can remember when, in the late 1960s, the new  XJ4 came onto the market. This car sported wonderful flared arches. Including new 6×15-inch wheels that were fitted out with a new tyre from Dunlop Tyres. Subsequently, the tyre size was ER70VR15.

These  tyres were especially designed for Jaguars by Dunlop. Jaguar XF Brake Problems

Dunlop was developing tyres with Jaguar engineers. Who at that time was a major force in the UK tyre market? Importantly, this car also came out with disc brakes all around.

I always remember the problems that the XJ4’s were having with vibrations. Annoyingly, coming through brakes and the steering wheels. Firstly, it turned out that one of the problems was engine vibrations. So, Jaguar engineers tried out many things. Of course to try and correct the problems.

I then worked for National Tyre Service, which Dunlop owned entirely. It was our task to try to balance the wheels to our best ability. But in those days, we did not have the sophisticated electronic equipment that we use in today’s cars. In fact, we had to take the cars to the Dunlop garage in Leeds. Strangely, at the time, this was done in secrecy.  Because of the huge problem that Jaguar was having with these vibration problems.

I was once able to stop and watch the engineers go to work balancing the wheels. Jaguar XF Brake Problems

The balancing was carried out on a special machine that I had never seen before.  It must have been brought to Leeds from the Dunlop factory. The most amazing thing was that the Dunlop technician actually skimmed some of the tread off the tyres. Trying to make them

rounder. I certainly know that all this was hush-hush. Incredibly, so not to affect the reputation of Jaguar and also Dunlop. I believe that Jaguar had to do all sorts of things to correct the vibrations problem !  An excellent article about the early Jags can be found on…Aronline .

Back To the future with the Jaguar XF. Jaguar XF Brake Problems

As I have said before,!  We have three or four customers that come to us for servicing. Including other jobs done on their Jaguar XF. We have had a couple of these with complaints about brake vibrations and a droning noise. One of our customers came in with brake problems similar to the others.

This one was a bit different in that the problem  did not occur  when he was doing high speed ,the car was smooth, but when he started to slow down to about  60 mph and then 40 mph the vibration and droning noise would start to happen.

The problem is, like so many of these things, that when we road test the cars the problem never shows itself up, the car plays mind games with the owners. This particular car was taken back to the main dealers, but we now know that the braking and droning noise is now a recognised fault, the cause is thought to be the disc brakes or hub run out.

Another Jaguar XF that we were servicing was found to need discs and pads all round.

We contacted the customer, who kindly gave us the go-ahead to do the job. He gave us his consent, and we carried out the brake work. About three months later, the car had developed a slight brake vibration, and he left the car with us for examination. This all reminded me of our problems with the XJ6 and Jags in the 1960s.

We road tested the car, and sure enough, the brake pedal did vibrate slightly. We could find nothing wrong, and true to our warranty policy we suspected that the discs could be faulty and  ordered a new set of discs.

Our supplier agreed to change the discs and accordingly sent us a new set. The New Jaguar XF discs fit onto the hub and we noticed that a slight amount of rust had formed on the outer part of the hub; this can be seen on the pictures that we took.

We think that we cured a previous Jaguar XF by removing any rust and thoroughly cleaning the hubs

Of course, before refitting the brakes discs. When we did this on this particular Jag, it appeared to solve the problem. So, we cleaned off any rust that had formed on the hub. Thus, we re-seated the discs and re-fitted the replacement discs. Ryan Road tested the car, and all was well. The car had no brake vibrations, and so far, it appears to be working fine.

We now think that this could be a problem if you are lucky enough to own one of these fine cars. Please make sure that the hubs where the discs fit are totally cleaned and look like new, because any rust build up will cause the disc to run out of line, only a fraction, but we feel it would be enough to cause a brake vibration on the Jaguar XF when the pedal is applied.

Eric Roberts

car brakes problem

Noisy Car Brakes-Nice Red Citroen DS3 Pulls in with a Grinding Brakes Problem?

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Noisy Car Brakes

I was surprised to see this nice looking red car 

Been the owner of a busy garage has many” ups and downs”. One of the more nicer and pleasant aspects of the job is to see the the number of different cars and car models that would appear in any given week.

This past week has seen cars as diverse as a Rolls Royce Wraith ( which was one of only 220 cars produced) to a Wolsey Hornet Mini from the late sixties, not counting the everyday cars such as Ford Fiestas and VW Golfs. Early on in the week we had a car made by Citroen, the DS3 call in to us with rattling Car Brakes. The was in my favourite  colour a very bright red, ( I love red cars). We put the citroen car with the Noisy Car Brakes on a ramp and removed all the wheels to check the Brakes, and sure enough the front pads were worn down to the metal and the friction from having “metal to metal” had also damaged the front discs. The rear brakes were cleaned and checked and were good for further use.

We contacted the customer and was given the go ahead to replace the brakes

Of course, this meant that the customer was getting good quality brakes with a nation wide guarantee. The  job was completed and the customer went on his way. Importantly, I took a couple of pictures because I am a great fan of the Citroen DS3. The colours are very bright and modern looking with a choice of 11 colours and four different roof colours, you can even have colour coded alloy wheels and also different carpet designs. There is also a sports version known as the D-Sport which comes with Blue-tooth and climate control. The car also include 17 inch alloy wheels, the one I looked at came with Yokohama tyres and looked great. They also come out with additional body modifications and really look very stylish.

This car in my opinion is a great tribute to the New Citroen DS3 designers, who had to compete with the BMW Mini and the great little Fiat 500.

More reading…

The DS3 is the first in a range of very different Citroen models that put the emphasis on style and personality, along with strong performance and driver appeal. With its stylish look and compact size, it’s easy to see why so many comparisons have been drawn with the popular MINI and Fiat 500.” msn cars

“The engine combines strong low-rev performance – 110bhp at 3600rpm and 199lb ft at 2000rpm, enough for a sub-10.0sec 0-60mph time – with a claimed 62.8mpg (combined cycle) and 118g/km of CO2 emissions, which sees annual road tax costing just £20…”EVO

 

 

car brakes problem

Failing Brakes-Lack Of Car Servicing Could lead To problems with your cars brakes ?

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Failing Brakes

Many cars are now having a bad  experience

Of driving your car along the road only to find that when you apply the Failing Brakes,

you hear a tremendous “grinding”noise problems

Of course winter is always a bad time for our customers with brake problems. Specifically, because drivers use their brakes much more often. Especially, if the weather turns wild. Snow and ice make drivers doubly aware of the driving conditions. Consequently, they use the brakes twice as much as they would in say dry sunny summer conditions.

Eventually the brake pads will wear away. In many cases the pads wear down to the extent of wearing out altogether thus causing Failing Brakes ! Frequently, only leaving the metal part of the pads in tack. Of course this is the time when the grinding noise can be first heard by the driver. So, causing panic as this is often accompanied by brake warning lights illuminating on the cab dashboard !

Drivers panic !

So, the noise comes from the metal part of the worn out pads grinding on the metal brake discs eventual causing Failing Brakes. Resulting in the horrific noise when the brakes are applied. Significantly, this happens many times and We are now finding that we are seen an increase in drivers calling into our Halifax garage with this problem. With with Failing Brakes that are rattling and banging. Many of our customers are lady drivers (about 60% we estimate).

Not being sexist but the lady drivers do appear to panic more when this bad brake experience happens. Finding out that when you apply the brakes. Then you can hear a tremendous “grinding”noise. As a result, coming from your car. This can be a harrowing and frightening experience. Especially, to a first time driver.

When this happens all the customer wants to do is stop their car. Of course and then, getting it to a garage as soon as possible. As I have siad earlier, these days as well as the noise, then a warning light will illuminate. Hence, on the dash-board. Making the experience twice as daunting.

Customers just want their vehicle putting right !

So, in really severe cases of total brake failure, then a recovery is often required. Drivers just dont want to drive their cars that are making such a terrible noise. So, the cars are just left with us to do whatever is needed to make their vehicles roadworthy again ! The cost of the repairs does not seem to be a problem. Because, this important part of the car and the brakes must be fixed at all cost.

Why let the brakes get to this stage ?

This is the bit that I don’t understand ! I believe  that the main reason for the customer grinding brake problem is a lack of car servicing. Thus allowing their cars to become  beyond the stage of proper safety levels (when the pads are completely worn down and they become metal on metal with the Discs). Dangerously, this problem occurs mainly because the vehicle had not been serviced the year before.

Customers now lead very busy lives ! So, it is not surprising when we tell them that their car has not been serviced for over two years. I must admit that I am in this bracket ! Consequently, because of a missed service then parts that need replacing such as brake pads . So, are neglected and wear out causing the grinding problem. Customers do not usually miss servicing on purpose !

So, there was a time when our customers would miss a service for financial reasons. In recent years we have found that this has become less of a problem. Money is much easier to access, so important things such as servicing their car has become less of a problem.

Missing a service is false economy !

However a modern safe guard has become the annual MOT Test and servicing. Expressly, the modern way is to have a service when the vehicle is in for its annual MOT test. So, to help drivers, many garages like ourselves. Offer a service and MOT package that is in the financial reach of most card drivers. Of course, this package ensures that things that could be missed due to neglect can be spotted  and put to rights.

Including the cars braking system. When the brake pads  are not completely worn down then we can advise the car owners and they can be changed before the dreaded grinding noise emanates.

So, when the car is in fir a service/MOT, and we find that the  Brake Pads are getting low. Then we report back to the client with an advisory. Of course with the permission of the car owner ! The parts will be changed on the service making the car safe again, and up to scratch. If the owner does not have their vehicle serviced and the Failing Brakes are neglected, then the problem of low pads will then be spread to the other parts, namely the brake discs.

Of course, other brake problems could also occur. Including, seized up brake calipers, or leaking brake cylinders and damaged ABS warning wires.

Failing Brakes problems could have been avoided.

As an example to what I was saying earlier in the article! One lady customer brought her BMW Mini in to us with a  Brakes problem. Closely examining the Mini we found that she required discs and pads on the front. Including a set of pads on the rear. The lady could not understand this ! Explaining that she we had only just serviced the car a couple of months previously.

Much surprised! We subsequently,checked the records on our computer system. She was horrified to find that the last service was carried out 18 months ago ! Time had flown by and she had missed her annual service completely. Needless to say that she apologised, paid her bill and went on her way. Of course ,we do send out reminders to our customers, but it had slipped her mind.

I do believe that motorists are becoming more aware and educated about the need for regular car servicing as a preventative measure to Failing Brakes. Especially before the dreaded grinding brake scenario occurs!

car brakes problem

Warped Brake Discs-Why do your Brake Discs Go Out of Shape?

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Warped Brake Discs

warped brake discs; warping  is a common problem

Most people know what a brake disc is. Of course, they learn this through experience gained throughout their motoring life. The brake discs are known in America as “Brake Rotors”, I say this

because of my American readers. Just in case they dont know what I am referring to.

The discs are the large metal discs that you see on most cars. Hence, when the wheels are removed. For this reason, there job is to stop the car when the brakes are applied. Thus, they are grabbed by the Car Brake Pads. At great pressure to stop the car. This action causes friction and wear on the discs. Consequently, with constant use and heat build up.

replacing warped brake discs

Over time the Disc Brakes will slowly wear down. Most manufactures of these discs recommend a minimum thickness of wear. When your brakes are examined by a competent Autocentre. Then the discs will be measured and if they are below the thickness limits. Therefore, customer will then be advised?Hopefully the warped brake discs will be changed.

Discs come in all types of designs. Although the discs that fit the regular family saloon car. Hence, are usually of the conventional solid steel discs type. Although, many cars are now coming out on vented discs. This was an improvement to help dissipate the high amount of heat that the discs generate in heavy usage. In my opinion these vented discs wear more quickly than the solid discs, but do not warp as much.

Warped Brake Discs

The warped brake discs will go out of shape for many reasons , but the main reason through what I call “normal wear and tear” , this is caused by the exposed discs coming into contact with water, during in heavy rain, the discs constantly heat up and cool down when in contact with the water. This year has been particularly bad for warped brake discs replacements due to our record wet year here in the UK. The discs produce a high spot which over time causes them to develop a “high spot” and eventually the discs will warp.

This warped brake discs can be felt through the brake pedal when you are pressing the brakes and will get worse, making the driving feel uncomfortable. If this is not seen to it is possible that the discs can break up into pieces, often causing distress to the driver.

Some sportier car models have to have perforated discs fitted as an added bonus in keeping the discs cool when heavy braking and have to be re-fitted with the same type of discs, discs are very important and can not be messed about with, except for upgrades.

Warped Brake Discs How do I look after my brake discs ?

The answer really is to have your car regularly maintained. Most good Autocentres will offer their customers a free brake check. Also you should have your car serviced at least once a year, this will include your brake check and any problems will be noted and presented to you as a recommendation. It is then up to you to have the problems fixed before you run into more problems. I have noticed recently that the customers with brake problems are the ones that did not find time to have their car serviced, and the cost doubles because of the extra problems that a set of worn out pads would have cost if discovered on a service.

Sports discs ready to be fitted

car brakes problem

Brake Pedal Creep? Is your car affected by this ? Diesel brakes only

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Brake Pedal Creep

Brake Pedal Creep

A recent customer enquiry came up with an old problem. As a result she had been sitting in her car on a cold day in Bridlington. Of course on the east coast on Yorkshire. The ladies name was Joan. Joan and her husband had decided to go for a day trip to the seaside.
Unfortunately for them, the weather turned out to be very cold and wet. Consequently, she decided to have some fish and chips and keep the engine running to keep warm. For some strange reason she rested her foot on the brake pedal.
Indeed for some reason the pedal had slowly crept to a stop near the end of its play. This startled Joan? However the rain stopped and the day brightened up. The engine was switched off and the pedal became hard again.
At the end of the day the couple returned and home. As a result of the peddle experience she gave us a call. Consequently, we checked the Vauxhall cars records. Hence, the brakes had some work carried out on them about two months previously.
Therefore to alleviate her concerns, we booked the car in for another brake check. Although we last carried any brake work out two months. Then we decided to check them out? On account of we did fit a new set of pads on the brake service.
Sometimes, when you replace new pads. Hence, it is possible to forget to open the brake bleed nipple. Thus when you push back the piston to remove the old pads. Because the bleed nipple is closed, then the fluid is pushed back into the brake master cylinder. As a result of this, the fluid can reverse the seals in the master cylinder.

Brake Pedal Creep

However, this would not be the case if a professional mechanic had fitted the pads. So this would have been less likely to be the cause. Joans cars brakes were rigorously check and no problems were found.
Because of this then I decided to look into the problem. Consequently, I discovered that it was fairly common on Vauxhall cars. Links have been made to incorrectly setting up the ABS brake system. Other reasons have included the development of the diesel car brakes. As a result, over the years diesel cars have become bigger and therefore heavier in weight.
Vehicle manufacturers have had to come up with stronger braking systems.Thus to be able to stop these heavier cars. A thing that I did not know? Was that the low pedal problem could be associated with the addition of twin diaphragm boosters.
To stop bigger vehicles then the manufacturers fitted bigger brake calipers and larger pistons. Also larger disc s were fitted and also larger bore master cylinders. As a result the master cylinder displaces more fluid, but with less pressure. I am not saying that this was the reason for my customers car or any other, but it does make some sense.

Diesel Brake Pedal Creep

car makers use twin diaphragm boosters. Hence that will give reduced brake pedal effort and the brakes more bite. As a result of this there has been incidents of the brake pedal fading. Especially on diesel powered cars.
What I do not understand is that it does not happen on all diesel cars. I am sur that there would be a huge outcry if it did.
If you have a vehicle with brake pedal creep at idle, what can be done?
Best thing I can suggest is if your car has a hard pedal without the engine running and the vacuum exhausted. Then it is possible that the problem is not your cars master cylinder but could possibly be vacuum related.
We then road tested Joan’s car on our MOT brake tester. All the readings were perfect and the wheels locked off as they should have. In fact to conclude, most diesel cars will show signs of brake pedal fading. When we explained this to Joan, then she was relieved and pleased with the results and our service.

Eric Roberts