The brakes on your vehicle work hard every time you drive. When you slow down in traffic, stop at a red light, or have to stop quickly and suddenly because of an obstacle in the road, your brakes are working. Over time, use of your brakes will cause normal wear and tear that can render them ineffective or unusable. It is important to perform regular maintenance on your brake system to keep it in top condition and ensure safe driving conditions for you and your family.
What makes a brake
The brake system in your vehicle consists of a disc, also called a rotor, a caliper and a brake pad. From inside the car, it appears that all that happens is to step on the brake pedal and the vehicle stops. But inside the car, that depressed pedal sends brake fluid through the brake line as the piston moves in the master cylinder. When the pistons in the caliper are initiated, the brake shoe pushes against the rotor, causing friction on the brake drum. This pressure exerted by your brake pad on the drum will essentially slow your vehicle from rolling and eventually cause it to stop.
This way, you can see that your brakes are being operated by a lot more than just a pedal on the floor of your vehicle. Many work factors are required to bring your car to a safe and timely stop on the road. Therefore, it is very important to keep every part in working condition through continuous preventive maintenance.
Why choose a mechanic?
Changing brake pads is one of the small jobs that many do-it-yourself car owners decide to try themselves. While this is certainly one of the easier fixes to master over time, it’s important that you know exactly what you’re doing if you attempt this at home. When it comes to something as important as your brakes, we at Glenn’s Auto Repair always recommend a certified mechanic over a DIY job. You may save yourself a few bucks, but if the pad isn’t installed correctly or if the caliper or other brake components are damaged during the repair, your vehicle can be dangerous on the road.
If your brakes are squealing, sticking, or seem like they’re applying a lot more pressure than usual when you apply them, it’s time to visit a mechanic.
Price points to think about
Unfortunately, the friction of your brakes causes your brake pads to wear out over time and will need to be replaced again and again. This is a normal part of preventive maintenance that you should include in your brake system. Of course, this means spending some money to keep your vehicle running and getting you home safely every day. So how much money do you want to spend on brake repair?
The average price for brake pad replacement ranges from $100 to $300 per axle, depending on the shop you work with. It may seem like a lot at the moment, but consider the alternative. Repairing or replacing a brake caliper if the pad is forgotten and further damaged can cost you anywhere from $300 to $800, even up to $1000 at some garages. Similarly, a brake rotor replacement is somewhere between $406 and $559.
When you see all these numbers together, it’s a daunting picture, which is why at Glenn’s Auto Repair, we always suggest preventive maintenance to our customers. This includes checking the brakes and performing minor repairs and adjustments such as changing brake pads. It certainly costs money, but it’s more than worth it in the long run when you consider the additional funds you’ll spend over time if your brake pads go unrepaired.
For more information on preventive brake repair and other services offered through Glenn’s Auto Repair, contact us today. We are always happy to hear from new and returning customers and can easily arrange an appointment with one of our certified mechanics at your convenience. Don’t let your brakes get to the point where your car feels more like a money pit than a mode of transportation. Call Glenn’s Auto Repair today and save money in the long run.