Car Brake Replacement & Repairs

REPLACE YOUR CAR BRAKES WITH MASTER TECH AUTOS EASTLEIGH

Our expert staff are on hand to ensure your brakes are performing optimally at all times, keeping you safe and helping to avoid excess or unexpected costs.

HOW DOES A CAR BRAKING SYSTEM WORK?

The standard car braking system consists of brake pads, discs, and a brake calliper to hold the pads on both sides of the disc. Here you can see a brand new brake disc, with the black brake pad showing through the calliper. The older part you can see is the hub.

When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid presses down through the braking system and causes the calliper to squeeze the pads tighter and tighter to the disc, causing friction. This friction is what slows the car down and keeps us all safe.

WHAT PARTS OF A BRAKING SYSTEM NEED REPLACING?

At some point in the life of a car, most of it. How often depends on a number of factors, mainly the age of the car and the number of miles you do.

The most common items to need replacing, often described as the ‘serviceable parts’ of the braking system, are the brake pads, brake discs, and brake fluid.

HOW OFTEN DO BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING?

This depends on the factors described above, and also your braking habits, driving habits, type of roads you drive frequently, the weight of the car, transmission type, even where you live can be a factor, as the salt air near the sea can cause minor damage to metals over time.

Front brake pads tend to wear faster than rear pads as they take the brunt of the weight when braking, the effect of inertia.

worn brake pad
A worn brake pad being replaced

There is no hard and fast rule on how often brake pads need changing, nor discs for that matter. As a vague rule of thumb your brake pads may require replacing every 20,000 – 60,000 miles.

WHAT ABOUT BRAKE DISCS?

Brake discs require changing less often than pads, but due to the heat caused by the friction that actually slows the car down, they eventually wear thin, and will eventually crack and fall apart. They often also develop a thick lip around the edge as the rest of the disc thins, reducing your braking efficiency.

worn brake disc
A worn brake disc being replaced

Top tip: If you are advised that your brake pads require replacement and the discs will need replacing soon, it is almost always prudent to replace the discs at the same time. For one, should you replace the discs at a later date you will need to pay the labour all over again. But more importantly, worn discs can damage new pads, shortening their lifespan, and their lifetime value.

HOW OFTEN DOES BRAKE FLUID NEED CHANGING?

The brake fluid change is an often bypassed and/or delayed service item that many drivers cut to save money. The health of your brake fluid system is as important as that of the pads and discs. Over time brake fluid deteriorates as it collects water through the brake system parts it lubricates. This water lowers the boiling point of the fluid, and in turns decreases your braking efficiency. Occasionally, due to damage or deterioration, your brake fluid system may also develop holes or gaps. This may allow brake fluid to leak, and again decrease efficiency, sometimes quite quickly.

Your braking system is a paramount maintenance and repair item on your car for the safety of you and those around you. Make sure you keep your braking system in optimal condition with Master Tech Autos, Eastleigh.

Book your car in for a brake test, repairs or replacement at Master Tech Autos – call today on 02380 611161

Visit our services and repairs page for a full list of car maintenance and repair services available at Master Tech Autos.

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