Everything you need to know about brake repairs, auto brake services and manual car brake services
At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, we frequently perform brake repairs, auto brake services and manual car brake services on a wide range of vehicles for our customers. Your brakes are something you need to keep in good working order, because they are your last line of defence against a catastrophic accident.
This means that you need to have your brakes inspected and serviced regularly. However, not many people really understand what we mean when we talk about rotor arms, pads and shoes. So here is a quick rundown on what we inspect during your car brake service, as well as when we perform brake repairs.
What are the brake pads?
Brake pads are found in disc brake systems, which is the most commonly used braking system in modern cars. Your car slows down when the brake pads press against the rotors, resulting in friction that reduces your car’s speed. The problem is that the brake pads wear down over time and eventually there won’t be enough friction to stop your car when you apply your brakes. Worn brake pads can be identified and replaced during your auto brake service or your manual car brake service.
What are the brake shoes?
Brake shoes are found in drum brake systems, often in older cars. They act in the same way as the brake pads, but they can be re-tooled and used again. You can still find replacement brake shoes on the market and they are often much cheaper than brake pads. The reason that brake pads are fitted to new cars, instead of brake shoes, is because the pads stay cooler under extreme use, while the shoes can get quite hot. When customers book in their older cars for brake repairs, they often want us to replace or re-tool their shoes.
What are the rotors?
The rotors (also known as brake discs) are fitted to disc brake systems and match the brake pads. When you apply the brakes, the brake pads press down on the rotors to stop your vehicle. Over time these will also wear down and need to be replaced during your car brake service. There are different types of rotors for different uses, for example if you mostly use your car to commute to work then drilled rotors might be best, while for off-road work or towing a caravan you might need slotted and drilled rotors.
For brake repairs, auto brake services and manual car brake services, call us on 07 3809 2711 or send us an email.
