Brake Services

What’s wrong with my brakes?

A high-pitched scraping or squealing noise that goes away when you step on the brake tells you that the brake pads could be worn.

• A grinding, metal-against-metal sound when braking indicates that your brake pads or shoes may be completely worn away, and you are now damaging the rotors or drums.
• If your brake pedal feels soft or mushy or gets harder and higher when you pump it, you might need your brakes “bled” (which gets air bubbles our of the brake lines), or you may have a leak in the system.
• If the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor when you step on it (or intermittently), you might be in need of a new brake master cylinder or other hydraulic service.
• If your car pulls to one side when braking, you might have insufficient hydraulic pressure in one part of the brake system, or one brake caliper might be sticking. Front-end problems can also cause this symptom.
• Smoking brakes, usually accompanied by a very bad smell, indicate a stuck brake caliper or wheel cylinder, or weak return springs on drum brakes.

Note: You should take advantage of our FREE four-wheel brake inspection every six months, regardless of whether you hear noise or experience brake problems.