Brake Service at Northuis Auto Repair

Brakes are a vital safety component on vehicles, and proper inspection and maintenance keep them in good working order. Understanding your brakes and their various components can help alert you when it's time for service. 

You should not attempt to fix your brakes on your own. Automotive brake maintenance by Northuis Auto Repair can help you maintain vehicle brake safety and protect you and your family.

Types of Brakes

Two main types of braking systems were patented in the early 1900s, though only one was widely used until the 1950s.



Drum Brakes

Drum brakes are usually found on older cars or in the rear wheels of more modern vehicles. They work through the use of hydraulic pressure. When you press down on the brake pedal, the brake shoes move outward against the drums. This generates friction that slows down or stops your vehicle.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes became more popular in the 1950s with the advent of heavier and faster vehicles that needed better brake performance. Disc brakes also work using hydraulic pressure. When you press the brake pedal, calipers squeeze brake pads against the disc, or rotor, to slow down or stop your vehicle.

Many vehicles also have anti-lock braking systems or ABS. Sensors stop the wheels from locking up by applying brake pressure separately to each wheel. This gives you more steering control and maximizes the effectiveness of your brakes.

Brake Components

You must maintain several system components for reliable braking performance. Essential components in brakes include:

• Drums or rotors, depending on your braking system, rotate with your wheels to provide a surface for friction that slows down your vehicle. You should have an experienced brake technician check your drums and rotors regularly for damage, warping, or wear and replace or resurface them as needed.
• Brake shoes on drum braking systems make contact with the drums to cause friction when you press the brake pedal. Brake pads do the same with the rotors in disc brake systems. Shoes and pads wear down over time and must be replaced for your brakes to work correctly.
• Wheel cylinders and brake calipers hold the pistons that put pressure on the brake shoes or pads. You may experience uneven and inconsistent braking if they are not properly maintained.
• Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that moves pressure to the brake components when you press the brake pedal. It works under high pressure and temperatures and must be checked and replaced based on your vehicle's manufacturer specifications.

Braking System Maintenance

Have your brakes inspected regularly and watch for signs that one or more components need repair or replacement. They depend on each other, and problems with one affect reliable braking performance and damage the other components.

Signs You Need Automotive Brake Maintenance

Timely brake maintenance increases your brake system reliability and helps keep you and others on the road safe. Watch for these signs of brake problems and take your vehicle for professional brake service immediately:

• Warning lights
• Brake pedal issues, such as feeling less resistance when you press down
• A burning smell that could signal overheating
• Squealing or squeaking noises that could indicate that your brakes or brake pads or worn
• Pulling or vibration when you brake could indicate unevenly worn rotors or one brake not functioning correctly.
• Brake fluid leaks
  

Who Should Service Your Brakes?

You can check your brake fluid levels and, in some cases, spot signs of wear on your brakes. However, for regular brake component inspection and automotive brake maintenance, use a professional brake service like Northuis Auto Repair so that experienced brake technicians can diagnose and fix your problems. 

Some of the services a reliable brake service provides include:

• Brake fluid replacement
• Brake rotor and drum inspection
• Brake pad and shoe replacement
• Rotor resurfacing
• Diagnosis when the brake or ABS light comes on
• Brake hose replacement
• Caliper replacement

A professional brake service has the equipment and experience necessary to ensure a reliable braking performance that increases your safety on the road.

Contact Northuis Auto Repair For Quality Braking System Maintenance

Northuis Auto Repairhas been in business since 2014 in the Jenison, MI area. We take your safety seriously and offer reliable brake and other repairs at fair prices. We consider our customers our neighbors, and we treat you that way. 

Our staff will always communicate with you about the problems with your vehicle and how we will repair it for safe driving. Contact us at (616) 930-7589 , fill out our online request for an appointment, or visit our locations at 2012 Chicago Dr., Jenison, MI 49428. We offer service and repairs with minimal disruption to your busy schedule.