Brake Servicing & Inspection: Choosing the Right Place for Your Car
Your brakes are some of the most important safety features on your vehicle. When you keep them maintained and replaced or repaired regularly, they’ll be there when you need them. Before you get yours serviced, we’ve put together some basics of what to look for to ensure you’re treated fairly and the work gets done right the first time.
What Is a Brake Service & Inspection?
Your car or truck has a lot of important moving parts. Those include your tires, wheels, shocks, struts, and brakes. Like those other parts, your brakes require periodic inspections, repairs, and replacements. See 8 Signs You Could Have Brake Problems.
During a regular inspection, a trained technician should visually inspect your brakes and fluid reservoir levels (found in your engine compartment). If work needs to be done, you should receive a complete breakdown of the cost and time needed to inspect and repair your disc brakes, drum brake assemblies, as well as any other types of brakes and components.
At Les Schwab, we take your brakes seriously, offer free visual inspections, explain what we find, what’s needed to get them working properly, and provide a printed estimate.
How Much Does a Brake Service Typically Cost?
When it comes to the cost of repairing and replacing brake parts, there are many factors to consider. Overall, costs can range from $200 to $500 per axle, depending on the service provider and name on the building. If you go to a dealership, you’re likely to pay more.
Les Schwab goes beyond the basics of brake repair to ensure you get exactly what you pay for. Unlike many other shops that only replace the brake pads or friction material, our pros do the whole job. That includes cleaning and inspecting all of the wearable components, replacing the brake fluid as well as calipers when parts that meet the original manufacturer’s specifications are available. For your added safety and to get the most out of your brakes, we can either resurface the rotors or drums or recommend replacement.
How Often Should I Check My Brakes?
While there isn’t a hard and fast rule for the proper interval between brake services, most professionals recommend you get yours inspected regularly (annually, if possible) or when you get your tires rotated (every 5,000 miles). If you notice an issue with your brakes, stop by Les Schwab and we’ll take a look.
Additionally, keep these brake service tips in mind:
- Brake performance depends on brake servicing. Don’t take chances with brake performance. You should never wait if you think something isn’t right with your brake system.
- If you’re not a brake expert, come to Les Schwab. We have the tools needed to lift your vehicle, check your brake components, and do the necessary repairs. Plus, our professionals are specially trained to get your brakes done right the first time.
- Brakes don’t have a set lifespan. Brakes can wear out after 18,000 or 60,000 miles. It depends on individual driving habits and road conditions.
What to Ask When Deciding on Brake Repairs
Recommendations and costs for brake service can be all over the map. So don’t be afraid to ask questions. You deserve to know what you’re paying for. Here are some areas to consider whenever you get your brakes serviced, repaired, or replaced.
What’s included in a brake service?
Some shops advertise a low price, but the work may only cover brake pad replacement. However, if any other problems are discovered the cost goes way up. A good brake job should also include caliper replacement, flushing old brake fluid, adding new fluid, resurfacing rotors, and adjusting braking mechanisms.
What is the expected turn-around time?
How many days will it take for the garage to get you on their schedule? Can they offer same-day service for the work?
Is there a brake warranty?
With people holding onto cars longer, a brake repair warranty can mean a lot. Ask for specifics on the brake warranty before the service. If it’s a lifetime warranty, does that cover the parts and labor? Are free brake inspections included? The Les Schwab Best Brake Value Promise covers both parts and labor, free visual inspections, and more.
At Les Schwab, If we can’t guarantee it, we won’t sell or service it. Everything we do is done to earn your trust and keep you and your family safe. That includes your brakes. Remember, a good mechanic or brake repair shop will be happy to explain what your brakes need to work properly and what it will cost. Schedule an appointment at your local Les Schwab, and we’ll get your brakes done right the first time.
Common Factors in Brake Wear
Where you drive, how you drive, as well as the quality of the parts and service are some of the most common factors in how long brakes last and when you need to service or replace them.
- Driving habits. Are you a careful driver who keeps a lot of distance between you and the car ahead? That kind of driving can help reduce brake wear.
- Hauling heavy loads. If you regularly haul a trailer or heavy loads, you could be adding strain to your brakes.
- Where you drive. If you’re in heavy traffic every day, or regularly drive back-country roads, your brakes could wear more quickly. Off-road travel also puts high demands on brakes. Dirt and grime can degrade brake parts.
- The quality of the parts. Just like any product, brake parts vary in durability and price. And even premium parts won’t last if they’ve been improperly installed.
- The quality of the service. How your brakes are installed is important. If there is a misalignment in the brake pads, it can cause uneven brake pad wear, limiting the life of your brakes. It pays to choose a repair shop that understands brakes and offers a warranty to cover parts and labor. The Les Schwab Best Brake Value Promise provides that and more.
Where you drive, how you drive, as well as the quality of the parts and service are some of the most common factors in how long brakes last and when you need to service or replace them.
- Driving habits. Are you a careful driver who keeps a lot of distance between you and the car ahead? That kind of driving can help reduce brake wear.
- Hauling heavy loads. If you regularly haul a trailer or heavy loads, you could be adding strain to your brakes.
- Where you drive. If you’re in heavy traffic every day, or regularly drive back-country roads, your brakes could wear more quickly. Off-road travel also puts high demands on brakes. Dirt and grime can degrade brake parts.
- The quality of the parts. Just like any product, brake parts vary in durability and price. And even premium parts won’t last if they’ve been improperly installed.
- The quality of the service. How your brakes are installed is important. If there is a misalignment in the brake pads, it can cause uneven brake pad wear, limiting the life of your brakes. It pays to choose a repair shop that understands brakes and offers a warranty to cover parts and labor. The Les Schwab Best Brake Value Promise provides that and more.
The Approach to Replacing Brake Parts Matter
There are big differences in how brake service and repairs are done. It’s pretty common at most brake repair shops to simply pull the calipers off, replace the brake pads, and reinstall the unit.
But there are many parts of the brake system that work just as hard as the brake pads. Those parts could also need attention. For example, built-up grit on pistons can result in brake pads that do not engage or disengage properly when you use the brake pedal. Additionally, heat from the action of the piston can break down the rubber seals, creating a leak in the braking system. That could result in brake failure over time.
It’s not easy to inspect all of these parts — like boots, seals, bushings — without full disassembly. Taking everything apart is time-consuming. It also increases the number of things that can go wrong.
Disc Brake Caliper Assembly
A better option is replacing all the brake components with a unit made to your vehicle’s original specifications. This heads off any problems with other parts wearing out before your next brake service.
Les Schwab Promises Trusted, Quality Brake Services
Les Schwab knows brakes. Our service professionals will take a look and tell you exactly what they find. If your brakes don’t need any work, we’ll let you know and send you on your way. If your brakes do need some attention and service, we’ll show you all of your options along with a cost estimate. Skip the lines and schedule your time today.