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.
The Nice Difference Warranty®
Every brake repair performed at Christian Brothers Automotive Fishers is backed by the Nice Difference Warranty®: 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs last. That coverage reflects our confidence in the workmanship and parts we stand behind. You shouldn’t have to wonder whether a repair will hold. With the Nice Difference Warranty®, you have a clear, written answer.
Warning Signs Your Brakes Need Attention
Brake wear doesn’t always announce itself dramatically. Catching the early signals lets you address an issue before it affects stopping performance or damages other components.
Common signs it’s time to schedule a brake inspection:
- Squealing or squeaking when braking often means brake pads are approaching the end of their service life, and their wear indicators are engaging.
- Grinding during braking may indicate the friction material has worn through completely, with metal contacting the rotor directly.
- Pedal vibration or pulsing through the brake pedal or steering wheel during braking can point to warped rotors.
- A soft, spongy, or low pedal may indicate air in the brake lines or a fluid leak that needs prompt attention.
- The brake warning light or ABS indicator on your dashboard signals that the brake system should be inspected as soon as possible.
- Vehicle pulling to one side during braking can indicate uneven brake wear across the axle.
How Your Brake System Works
Understanding what your brakes are actually doing makes it easier to follow along when a technician describes an issue. The two main brake system types you’ll encounter are disc brakes and drum brakes.
Disc Brakes & Drum Brakes
Disc brakes use a caliper to squeeze brake pads against a flat rotor, generating the friction that slows the wheel. Most modern vehicles use disc brakes on all four wheels, though some retain disc brakes on the front axle with drum brakes at the rear. Drum brakes work differently: wheel cylinders press curved brake shoes outward against the inside of a drum to create friction. Both systems accomplish the same goal through different mechanical approaches.
Brake Fluid & the ABS System
Brake fluid is the hydraulic medium that transfers force from your foot on the pedal through the brake lines to the calipers or wheel cylinders. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, which lowers its boiling point and can reduce braking effectiveness. Checking fluid condition is a standard part of a thorough brake inspection.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) works alongside the mechanical brake components by preventing wheel lockup during hard stops. When a wheel begins to lock, the ABS modulates brake pressure rapidly to keep the wheel rotating so the driver can maintain steering control. ABS sensors and the control module are part of the overall brake system and can trigger dashboard warning lights when they detect a fault.
Rotors, Pads, & Wear Indicators
Brake pads and shoes include built-in wear indicators, small metal tabs that produce a squeal when the friction material is nearly depleted. That sound is designed to get your attention before the pad wears through entirely. Rotors can develop surface variation from heat and repeated use, which often shows up as pedal pulsation under braking. In some cases, a rotor can be resurfaced to restore a flat contact surface. In others, replacement is the appropriate course.
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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"I came in for an exhaust leak and vibration at higher speeds. The team obviously fixed the issues, but they did the repairs without up-charging with unneeded parts and labor cost. As always Church Brothers also did a very thorough walk thru of the vehicle "
- Michael