What to Expect With a Brakes Service
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.
Did You Know: It takes up to three football fields to safely brake in the rain?
How Christian Brothers Automotive Can Help
At Christian Brothers Automotive, our expertise extends to every inch of your vehicle’s stopping power. While a free visual inspection (available for most vehicles) provides a high-level look at your safety, a comprehensive brake diagnostic is required for a deep dive into the system’s health.
During our professional brake services, our technicians are trained to evaluate and service these critical components:
- Brake Pad & Shoe Thickness: Measuring the friction material to ensure you have enough grip left to stop safely.
- Calipers & Wheel Cylinders: Checking for proper piston movement and ensuring no internal sticking or seizing.
- Brake & Hydraulic Fluid: Testing for moisture contamination and ensuring levels are topped off for consistent pedal pressure.
- Brake Hoses & Lines: Inspecting for cracks, dry rot, or leaks—these are common wear items that require regular monitoring.
- Brake Hardware: Ensuring clips, springs, and pins are lubricated and functioning to prevent uneven pad wear.
- Rotor & Drum Condition: Checking for thinning, heat spots, or warping that causes steering wheel vibration.
When a Visual Check Isn't Enough
If you are experiencing a "soft" pedal, grinding or squealing noises, shaking, vibrations, or a dashboard warning light, your vehicle likely requires a comprehensive diagnostic. Unlike a basic visual check, this more extensive process may involve:
- Four-wheel removal for precise component measurements.
- Hydraulic leak/pressure testing to find hidden failures.
- Professional road testing to diagnose performance-related issues.
Why the Detail Matters
We believe in transparency. When you choose us for your brake service, we provide an upfront summary of everything that needs to be fixed, including a parts and labor cost breakdown. Whether it’s a quick visual check or a complex repair, your vehicle repairs are always your choice; we never perform work without your explicit consent.
Contact your local shop to schedule your brake service today.
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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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.