Our Services
Brake Repair
Stay Safe on the Road
Ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive means that your brakes should be checked at least once per year. Your routine maintenance appointment at Chabill’s Tire and Auto Service is the perfect time to let our trusted technicians handle your annual brake servicing. Maintaining your vehicle’s brakes is perhaps the most crucial precaution you can take against dangerous mishaps on the road. If you aren’t certain that your vehicle will stop when you hit the brake pedal, you should get your brakes checked by a professional as soon as possible. We have 18 convenient locations across Louisiana, so you don’t have to look far for expert brake service whenever you need it.
What You Need To Know About Brakes
Understanding how your brakes work is important for the effective maintenance and operation of your vehicle. The notes below are what we think you should know.
Types Of Brakes: Most vehicles on the road have disc brakes on the front wheels and either disc or drum brakes on the rear wheels. Disc brakes use calipers to squeeze brake pads against a rotating disc (called a rotor). Drum brakes use brake shoes to press against the inside of a rotating drum.
Components: The main components of a brake system include brake pads or shoes, rotors or drums, calipers, brake lines, brake fluid, and a brake master cylinder. Each component is vital for the function of the braking process.
Brake Pad Wear: Brake pads wear down over time due to friction against the rotors or drums when braking. It’s important to have your brake pad thickness monitored regularly and ensure that they are replaced before they become excessively worn.
Brake Fluid: Brake fluid enables transmission of hydraulic pressure from the brake pedal to the brake calipers or wheel cylinders. It causes them to squeeze the brake pads or shoes against the rotors or drums.
Brake Maintenance: Regular brake maintenance is crucial for safe and reliable braking performance. This includes routine brake inspections, brake pad replacements, rotor resurfacing or replacement, brake fluid flushes, and periodic parking brake adjustments.
Signs That Brake Repair Is Needed
Having awareness of and paying attention to potential warning signs of impending brake problems is highly important. Some of the most common signs that your vehicle needs brake servicing include the ones listed below.
- Grinding or squealing sounds while braking
- Scraping or grinding noises while driving
- Pulsing or vibrations in the steering wheel or brake pedal
- Longer stopping distances
- A soft or spongy-feeling brake pedal
If you experience any of the aforementioned issues, it may be a signal that worn brake pads, warped rotors, brake fluid leaks or other brake system issues require immediate attention.
Healthy Brake Habits
To help your brakes last as long as possible and ensure they aren’t stretched to their limits, it is important to always practice good driving and healthy braking habits. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, the habits noted below can help.
Routine Inspections: Schedule regular brake inspections as part of your vehicle maintenance, or when you notice signs of brake wear or performance issues. Your service technician will inspect the brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake lines and fluid reservoirs for signs of wear, damage or leaks.
Brake Fluid Maintenance: Regularly check the brake fluid level, and add fluid if necessary by following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture. This can lead to brake system corrosion and reduced performance.
Brake Pad Replacement: Monitor the thickness of your brake pads, and replace them when worn down to the minimum thickness specified by the manufacturer. Worn brake pads can lead to decreased braking performance, increased stopping distances and damage to other brake components.
Rotor Inspection: Have a professional inspect the brake rotors for visible signs of wear, scoring or warping. Warped or unevenly worn rotors can cause brake pulsation, vibration and noise during braking. Replace the rotors if damaged or worn beyond the manufacturer’s specifications.
Brake System Cleaning: Cleaning the brake calipers, pads and rotors periodically to remove brake dust, dirt and debris buildup is advised. Use a reputable brake cleaner or brake parts cleaner and a stiff brush to thoroughly clean the components. Using compressed air is not recommended because it can spread brake dust and debris instead of removing it.
Prevent Overheating: Avoid excessive or prolonged braking (such as riding the brakes downhill or towing heavy loads) because it can lead to overheating. Use engine braking or downshifting to help control vehicle speed on steep descents, and reduce reliance and pressure on the brakes.
Practice Gentle Driving Habits: Always practice smooth and gradual braking to minimize wear and tear on the braking system components. Avoid harsh braking maneuvers (such as sudden stops or panic braking) whenever possible.
Park Properly: If you have to park on an incline, use the parking brake (handbrake) to prevent the vehicle from rolling, and reduce stress on the transmission and brake system. Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving, as it can cause unnecessary brake wear and overheating.
By following those recommendations and being proactive with brake maintenance, you ensure that your vehicle’s braking system remains in good condition to provide reliable stopping power and safety on the road.
Schedule Your Brake Maintenance Or Repair Services Today!
Is your vehicle due for its annual brake servicing? Delaying professional brake servicing could risk your safety. With 18 locations throughout Louisiana, finding a trusted Chabill’s location near you is always possible. Our highly trained technicians are qualified to perform brake maintenance and repair services for all vehicle makes and models. We only use high-quality replacement parts that meet manufacturer standards. Our goal is always to send you on your way feeling confident that you can reliably stop your vehicle smoothly, quickly and safely for miles to come.
If you’re ready to schedule your appointment with us, call the location of your choice, or use our online scheduling system. Our friendly team is waiting to hear from you. We want to help you get to where you’re going safely and on time!