Auto Repair Grand Rapids: Disc Brakes

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Auto Service and Maintenance Guide: Disc Brakes

Disc Brakes

Question:
What are the signs that I need a brake job?

Our Answer:
Signs of brake problems often fall into one of two categories for Grand Rapids car owners: making noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal. Let’s start with the noise.
Most brake pads have an audible brake wear indicator. This is a small piece of metal that rubs on your brake rotor when the brake pads are worn to the point they should be replaced. The noise is a chirp or soft squeal. This noise gives Grand Rapids drivers enough vital warning to get their brakes serviced while there is still enough brake pad left to enable you to stop safely.
Grand Rapids drivers who ignore the chirp frequently find that the sound changes to a grinding noise. That is more serious. It means that the friction material on your brake pad is worn away and metal parts of the brake are grinding against the rotor when you press on the brakes. Obviously, this harmful metal-on-metal means that your brakes aren’t stopping very well. It also means that your rotor is being damaged. It may need to be resurfaced or even replaced.
Pedal pulsation is another noticeable issue. When your rotor is not in perfect alignment, it pushes against the brake pads unevenly as you apply the brakes. There could be a number of reasons for this. The rotor and wheel hub may not be mating well, causing the rotor to be spinning out of vertical alignment. This dangerous misalignment can be caused by either the rotor or the hub, or a combination of the two. If this trouble persists, the rotor may even start to wear unevenly to the point that its thickness varies, causing an even more noticeable pulsation. This uneven mating of the brake pad and the rotor when braking means less contact and it will curtail braking power.
Your service center or the team at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids can determine the cause of the dangerous misalignment and remedy the trouble.
Either unusual brake noise or pedal pulsation are signs for Grand Rapids car owners that there are brake problems. Grand Rapids drivers should have a tech at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service check their brakes thoroughly and recommend any vital steps necessary to correct the issue.
A regular brake inspection is on every sedan’s recommended list. Ask your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor if it’s time for a vital brake inspection.

Give us a call
Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

At Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids MI (49503) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 616.459.8941. 

Antilock Brakes - Auto Repair Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids car owners count on their brakes to safely slow and stop their vehicles.

 You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid. When your wheels are locked up, you are just sliding over the road. And if the road is wet or slick or covered with gravel – you really get out of control. Steering is next to impossible. That is why anti-lock brake systems (ABS) were invented: to help you maintain important control in extreme stopping conditions on MI roads.

As mentioned, when wheels lock up, this curbs your control. ABS keeps your brakes from locking – helping you stop while maintaining your power to steer. Sensors on each wheel equipped with ABS, monitor wheel spin and compare it with vehicle speed sensors. When drivers are pressing on the brakes, still traveling forward, but the wheels are not turning, the ABS system quickly steps in and modulates the brakes.

The ABS speedily “pumps” the brakes, not allowing the wheels to lock-up while still applying braking pressure. This is all done automatically without any intervention on your part. You will feel a pulsation through the brake pedal and will hear a clunking as the brakes are rapidly being applied and let off over and over again. The first time this happens to you, you may be surprised and think something is wrong. Well, it isn’t – so just keep your foot on the brake and allow the ABS to do its thing. In fact, remember the critical 3 S’s of anti-lock brakes: Stomp, Stay, & Steer. Stomp on the brakes, keep the pedal down, and steer as required.

When you first start your vehicle, the ABS does a quick self-check to make sure everything is OK. The ABS warning light will briefly illuminate with all of the other warning lights on your dashboard and then go out. If the system detects a fault, the ABS light will come on and stay on. Grand Rapids drivers should definitely take their vehicle in to Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids for a check if the critical ABS warning light is on.

Proper brake system service is the best way to protect your ABS. Replacing brake fluid that is depleted and/or contaminated will help preserve proper ABS operation and protect it against harmful corrosion. Grand Rapids car owners can meet with their considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech to see if it’s time for a diagnostic examination of their vital braking system.

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941