1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Brake Services We Provide
We service both drum brakes and disc brakes on any make and model. Whether you need brake pad replacement, brake shoe replacement, or rotor resurfacing or replacement, our ASE-certified technicians handle the full range of brake system repairs.
A thorough brake service goes beyond the most worn component. Here’s what a complete brake repair can include:
- Brake pads and brake shoes: Replaced in axle pairs to maintain even braking balance front to rear
- Rotors: Inspected at every brake pad replacement and resurfaced or replaced based on thickness and condition
- Brake calipers: Evaluated for seizing or leaking, which can cause uneven braking and accelerated pad wear
- Brake fluid: Checked for moisture absorption and contamination, which can reduce hydraulic braking performance over time
- ABS (anti-lock braking system): Diagnosed when the ABS warning light illuminates or stopping behavior changes unexpectedly
Warning Signs Your Brakes Need Attention
Brakes communicate their condition through sounds, feel, and behavior. Catching these signals early can mean the difference between a straightforward brake pad replacement and a more involved repair.
- Squealing or high-pitched noise when braking: Typically indicates brake pads are approaching the end of their service life
- Deep grinding noise: Metal-on-metal contact, meaning pads are fully worn and rotors may already be damaged
- Soft or spongy brake pedal: Can point to air in the brake lines or low, contaminated brake fluid
- Vibration or pulsation through the pedal or steering wheel: Often associated with rotor condition
- Vehicle pulling to one side when braking: May indicate a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear
- Brake or ABS warning light illuminated: Warrants prompt inspection regardless of how the brakes feel
- Longer stopping distances: A direct safety concern requiring immediate evaluation
What to Expect During a Brake Inspection
Free visual brake inspections are available on most vehicles and can be performed during a routine oil change as part of our courtesy inspection. During a full brake inspection, our ASE-certified technicians assess brake pad thickness, rotor condition, caliper function, and brake fluid quality. A road test may also be included to evaluate stopping distance, pedal feel, and braking balance.
Findings are shared through our Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI), which includes actual photos of your vehicle’s components. Paul or Jennifer Klobe can walk you through any questions about brake pad condition, rotor status, or what the Nice Difference Warranty covers on the recommended work. We recommend a brake inspection at least once per year or whenever a warning sign appears.
How Minnesota’s Climate Affects Brake Wear
Road salt applied through a Minnesota winter accelerates corrosion on rotors, calipers, and brake hardware. Spring freeze/thaw cycles add mechanical stress that can affect rotors or cause surface rust to develop faster than normal. Summer road construction in Andover and the surrounding Anoka County area keeps brake temperatures elevated through extended stop-and-go traffic.
Surface rust on rotors after a vehicle sits overnight is normal and typically clears within a few stops. Persistent noise after winter, or brake noise that follows heavy salt application, is worth having checked. A proactive brake inspection after each Minnesota winter is a practical maintenance interval for local drivers who want to catch corrosion-related wear before it affects braking performance.
Parts Quality & the Nice Difference Warranty
We install OEM or premium aftermarket parts selected for each vehicle’s specific make and model. Premium brake pads and rotors engineered to match a vehicle’s weight and braking profile can deliver stopping performance that meets or exceeds original equipment standards, depending on the repair performed. All brake service is backed by the Nice Difference Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever occurs last. Warranty terms are reviewed with you at completion of service, and Paul and Jennifer Klobe are on-site to answer any questions about parts selection or coverage before or after your appointment.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "Why is my ABS light on?"There are several reasons your vehicles anti-lock brake system light might be on. The four common reasons that typically cause this light to turn on include a malfunctioning ABS module, low levels in the fluid reservoir, broken wheel speed sensors, or the system is turned off. Learn more here.
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Q. "How long will my brake pads last?"There is no perfect answer to this. Brake pads can last up to 70,000 miles while others will need to be replaced as early as 25,000 miles. The type of vehicle you drive, how you use your vehicle and your driving style are all factors to consider. If you are interested in learning more about brake pad wear and how to extend its lifespan click here.
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Q. "When do I need to change my brake fluid?"Along with the type of brake fluid, your car’s owner manual will indicate how often you need your brake fluid flushed and replaced. In general, brake fluids flushes are recommended every 30,000 miles or two years. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"Thank you so much for going above and beyond. You are the best and I feel safer knowing my car is in such good hands!!"
- DJ Gardner