Browns Plains Auto Shop: The Benefits of an Auto Brake Service

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, Browns Plains auto shop we know the value of a well maintained vehicle. One of the most important maintenance tips we can give you is to have regular auto brake services, because these will help keep your vehicle safe for everyone involved.

Most of us take our brakes for granted, expecting them to work whenever we need them. If a car slows ahead of us, we know exactly when to start braking and don’t tend to question the why’s and how’s. A serious problem exists when our brakes fail, when we press the pedal and nothing happens – then we are in serious trouble.

So what are the real life benefits of an auto brake service?
 

• Safety concerns: Keeping your family, yourself and other road users safe should be of prime importance to all vehicle owners and a well maintained vehicle is important to achieving this outcome. Having your brakes checked and an auto brake service performed at your local Browns Plains auto shop is just common sense. So if you have any concerns at all about your braking system, come in and chat to us and we can set out a regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle – for your peace of mind.

• Cost concerns: If you leave it too late and your brakes fail, you can be up for a lot of money fixing the damage. Yes, brake pads will eventually wear out and rotors need to be replaced as well, but an auto brake service can pick these issues up and let you know when they need replacing, so you can plan your finances. It is much better to know that you need to replace your pads and discs in the next 6 months, rather than having to pay for costly repairs or accident damage, because you ignored the problem.

So if you are concerned about the safety of your vehicle and you want to enquire about an auto brake service or any of our other services, call us on 3809 2711 and let’s keep your family and yourself safe on the roads.

The Beginner’s Guide to a Car Brake Service

At Steve Sorensen Mechanical, our clients ask us a lot of good questions. But there tends to be three common themes – leaks, weird noises and brakes. And it is the third topic we are going to take a look at today. Specifically – a car brake service or an auto brake service.

A car brake service comes under the umbrella of vehicle maintenance services and can also be part of a good pre purchase inspection.

So let’s talk about the common brake jobs we do here at Sorensen’s:

 Replacing brake pads: This is a quick job and many people try this at home. The problem with just replacing the pads is that this can be only half of the problem. That squealing you hear when you put your foot on the brake can be caused by a combination of worm brake pads and rotors. So just replacing the pads might not fix the problem.

 Replacing brake pads and rotors: The brake pads are seated on the rotors and depending on how worn they are, they may also need to be replaced. But sometimes they are too worn and they just have to be replaced as part of your auto brake service.

If you leave it too long to replace your brakes, then they will eventually fail. Here are 5 signs you need a car brake service:

 Your brake light comes on! But quite often this is only for the front brakes – so if your back brakes are the problem you the break light won’t tell you this.

 You are taking longer to stop than usual.

 Your brake pads are less than 6mm thick – you might need to remove the tyre to see this. Check both the inside and the outside pads for wear.

 At first you will hear a high pitched squeal when you touch the brakes, but as they continue to wear you will hear a grinding sound.

 Your car pulls left or right when driving or braking. This could indicate a problem with the brake system, the tyres or your suspension. Best to have an auto brake service to find out for sure.

So give a call for all your pre purchase inspections and vehicle maintenance services or if you think you need a car brake service.

Please Call us on 07 3809 2711, fill in our online enquiry form or drop in for a chat at Unit 1/7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains, QLD 4118.

Keep Your Brakes in Check

The most important part of a vehicle is its braking system. Whether it be disc brakes or drum brakes, they are vital for safety. Some brake problems require professional help from your local Logan car service mechanics, however there are some simple checks that every motorist can do to save repair costs. 

To check for brake problems, step on the pedal and press it down while paying attention to how the pedal feels under your foot. These simple steps will help you diagnose possible problems:

1.      Start the engine but keep it in ‘park’ with the handbrake on. With the vehicle at rest, apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Does it feel spongy? If so, you may have air in your brake lines. Does the pedal stay firm or does it sink slowly to the floor? If it sinks, your master cylinder may be defective.

2.      Release the handbrake and drive around the block, stopping every now and then. Does it take a lot of effort to bring the vehicle to a stop? If your vehicle has power brakes and stopping seems to take excessive effort, you may need a new power booster.

3.      If you feel that your brakes are low, pump the pedal a couple of times as you drive around. If this makes the car stop when the pedal is higher up, you may need a brake adjustment or more brake fluid.

Never ignore anything that feels different than usual about your vehicle. If you’re unsure about what is normal and what isn’t, ask your local mechanic. They may suggest an auto brake service to be on the safe side. Some things to look out for include:

·        When driving around, does the vehicle travel too far before coming to a stop in city traffic? 

·        Does it pull to one side when you brake? Does your steering wheel shake when you brake, or does the brake pedal pulsate up and down? 

·        Do your brakes squeal or squeak when stopping, or do they make a grinding noise that you can feel through the pedal?

All of these symptoms can point to serious brake problems which may compromise your safety. If your brakes fail, you, your passengers and other people on the road could be in danger. Contact a mechanical shop that specialises in a car brake service immediately.

Service with a Smile at Steve Sorensen Mechanical

To the average motorist, modern vehicles are complex and confusing. The inner workings of today’s cars are far more advanced than their predecessors, so it pays to place your pride and joy in the hands of a trusted professional.

With more than three decades of experience in the business, Browns Plains auto shop owner Steve Sorensen has earned a reputation as an honest and hard-working tradesman and businessman. His award-winning family business, Steve Sorensen Mechanical, is regarded as one of the best in the region and for good reason. Reliable, trustworthy and professional workmanship combined with a strong customer focus has made this business the preferred choice for hundreds of local motorists.

The clean and modern workshop is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, with staff receiving ongoing training to ensure their skills are kept up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

The business is based on a strong foundation of “top quality work at reasonable price”, delivering professional workmanship and excellent customer service.

Staff service most makes of cars, four-wheel drives and light commercial vehicles, specialising in logbook and general servicing, maintenance, auto brake service and clutch repairs, safety certificates, cooling system repairs, and suspension repairs.

Using parts and lubricants which meet or exceed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards to allow clients to maintain their new car warranty, both minor and major services can help to prolong the life of a car.

Minor services at Steve Sorensen Mechanical consist of an oil change and new oil filter, check and top-up of all fluids, a full safety inspection and road and battery tests. Major services also include new spark plugs, a tune check and brake inspection, clean and adjustment.

Inspections on the air, fuel and pollen filters, gear box, transfer and diff oil, wiper blades, bulbs and platinum and iridium spark plugs also form part of services, as do flushes and changes of the transmission fluid, clutch fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and coolant.

Steve Sorensen Mechanical can also lend a hand with pre-purchase inspections for those looking to buy a car. With their trained technicians running an eye over your potential purchase before giving you some open and honest feedback, they could save you from thousands of dollars of anguish. The team strongly encourages you to undertake a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before agreeing to buy a car, reminding you that a current Safety Certificate only means a vehicle is safe to drive on the road; it does not tell you a vehicle’s service history or any upcoming costs.

For a Browns Plains auto shop where staffs are just as passionate about your car as you are, trust the professionals at Steve Sorensen Mechanical. Steve Sorensen Mechanical is located at Unit 1, 7 St Jude Court, Browns Plains. Phone 3809 2711.