Brakes are a vital part of your vehicle and your safety. If something were to go wrong, you need to have the phone number handy for a brake shop you feel you can trust. Brakes that are in perfect working condition could be the difference between life and death. If your brakes don’t seem to be working as well as they used to, or are making squealing noises, it’s a good indication that it’s time to have your brakes serviced. So how do you tell a superior brake shop from a poor one? Here is what to look for.
Are the Technicians Certified?
The best brake shops will have highly qualified and skilled technicians on-site (look for the ASE certified logo). Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is the gold industry standard of any good mechanic. Avoid any brake shop that doesn’t hire ASE-certified technicians.
Brake Shop Services
When looking for a brake shop in Phoenix, you’ll want one that has experience. Expert technicians will be able to perform a comprehensive brake inspection to determine what needs to be done. They’ll look for signs of brake problems and inspect other brake components to make sure that they’re working properly. They should perform the following services.
Disc Brake Repair and Replacement
Disc brakes need to be regularly inspected for scoring of the rotors and pad wear. If the technician finds that the pads are badly worn, they’ll need to be replaced. If rotors are badly scored, they’ll need to be replaced as well. If they’re not in bad shape, they can be machined.
Drum Brake Repair and Replacement
You should have your drum brakes inspected for scoring and shoe wear if you’re noticing problems. Like rotors, the drums can be either replaced or machined if they’re no poorly scored.
Anti-Lock Brake Diagnosis
Anti-lock brake systems are also designed to be as “fail safe” as possible, however problems can occur. Brake services are the same on vehicle’s that are equipped with ABS as those that aren’t. Some procedures related to anti-lock brakes require specialized equipment to perform inspections and diagnosis. A professional brake shop will have the necessary equipment to test your anti-lock braking system and to diagnose problems.
Anti-Lock Brake Repair
If a problem is found with your anti-lock braking system, a quality brake shop will have access to the equipment and have the expertise it takes to repair it. Common anti-lock brake problems include the ABS light coming on, an unresponsive brake pedal and the brakes locking up.
Brake Hydraulics
It is essential to have a vehicle’s brake hydraulics inspected by a brake shop you trust and to repair worn brake hydraulics immediately if a problem is found. Neglecting the hydraulic system can result in pricey repairs and cause a serious accident. It’s recommended to have the brake fluid level checked with each oil change. If the brake fluid is found to be contaminated, it will need to be replaced.
Brake Fluid Flush
A brake fluid flush is probably the most commonly overlooked car maintenance service, yet it is one of the most important. A reputable brake shop will recommend that you have your brakes flushed according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Having the brakes flushed on a regular basis will help prevent costly brake repairs down the road.
Warranty
Find a brake shop with a warranty that can’t be beat. We’re not talking months here…we’re talking years.
Customer Service that Can’t be Beat
Read through online reviews on sites like Yelp and Facebook, searching for auto repair/brake shops that have earned a rating of 4 stars or higher.
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