Signs your brakes need work
- A high squeal when you brake (most pads have a built-in wear indicator that does this)
- Grinding or scraping, which usually means metal on metal
- The steering wheel or pedal shakes when you slow down from highway speed
- The car pulls to one side when you brake
- The pedal feels soft or sinks lower than it used to
- A brake warning light on the dash
Squealing vs grinding
Squealing is the early warning. Most brake pads have a small metal tab that rubs the rotor when the pad gets thin. It is annoying on purpose.
Grinding is the late warning. It usually means the pad material is gone and the backing plate is cutting into the rotor. At that point a pad-only job often turns into pads and rotors. Calling at the squeal saves money.
What a brake job includes
- Inspect pads, rotors, calipers, hoses and brake fluid on all four wheels
- Replace pads and, if they are worn past spec or warped, rotors
- Clean and lubricate the slide pins and hardware so the new pads wear evenly
- Test drive to make sure everything feels right
Tooele roads and brakes
Steady grades on SR-36 and the Stockton and Settlement Canyon roads put real heat into brakes, and winter road salt speeds up rust on rotors and caliper hardware. If you drive those roads daily, have the brakes looked at once a year.
Done in your driveway?
Pads, rotors and most caliper work are done in your driveway or a flat parking spot.
When it needs a shop
Seized brake lines or major ABS repairs may need a shop. We will tell you before we start.