Brake Repair in Ann Arbor MI

Since your safety is our number one priority, we want to make sure that your vehicle’s Brakes are in excellent condition. As you know, properly functioning Brakes are essential in safely stopping your vehicle, and can make a huge difference if ever faced with a situation where you need to brake quickly. Ron’s Garage uses the highest quality parts to ensure long lasting Brakes so that you get the best value for your money and you can drive away with confidence.

Brake noise is common and it lets the driver know that a Brake Inspection is needed. Overlooking a “squealing” noise could lead to a “grinding” noise that suggests your Brake Pads have worn down to the Rotor. Metal parts are now colliding and could cause irreparable damage to the Rotors. Make sure to give us a call before the grinding noise starts!

A quick rundown of how your Brakes work:

When you step on the Brake Pedal, the Brake Pads (which are attached to the Brake Caliper) squeeze tightly against the Rotor (aka Disc). The friction causes your vehicle to slow down. If your vehicle has Drum Brakes, it’s a bit different. Instead of squeezing, the Brake components expand to create the friction needed to stop.

When do I need to have my Brakes inspected?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please give us a call to schedule your Brake Inspection.

Squealing Noise
Grinding Noise
Brake Pulsation
Brake Pedal feels “soft”
Brake Pedal feels spongy or low to the floor
Brake Pedal feels high
Your vehicle pulls to the left or the right while braking
Your Brake Light comes on
Reduced stopping power

What does a Brake Inspection entail?

We’ll start with a Visual Brake Inspection, which is free. We will test drive your vehicle to observe how your Brakes function. Most of the time we are able to visually check the condition of the Brake Pads. On some vehicles, the Tires will need to be removed to inspect the condition of the Brakes, and if that’s the case, we will perform a complete Brake Inspection. While performing your complete Brake Inspection, the thickness of the Pads and Rotors are noted, as well as the condition of the Brake Fluid. We will check your Calipers for proper operation.

Some vehicles will require a Drum Brake Inspection which will allow us to check the condition of the Brake Shoes and Hardware after our test drive.

Rest assured that our Service Advisor will recommend the proper Brake Inspection for your specific situation and vehicle.

My Brakes need to be replaced, now what?

After performing a Brake Inspection, we may recommend that you replace all or some of the necessary Brake components to restore your vehicle’s Braking performance. Our Service Advisor will let you know which parts will need to be replaced and give you an accurate estimate of the costs associated with that repair. In most cases, your Brakes will be repaired the SAME DAY!

Do I need a Brake Fluid Service when replacing my Brakes?

Over time, Brake Fluid deteriorates and needs to be replaced just like the oil in your Engine. Each vehicle’s Manufacturer has a set mileage recommendation of when to replace Brake Fluid, but at Ron’s Garage, we believe your fluid should be serviced every 30,000 miles. Replacing your Brakes is the perfect time to perform your routine Brake Fluid Service.

Will you machine my Rotors instead of replacing them?

Our extensive Brake experience has taught us that turning Rotors (grinding them until they are smooth) is never best in the long run. There are a number of concerns we have when asked to machine the Rotors. First and foremost, our climate here in Michigan causes many parts of your vehicle to rust, including your Rotors. If they become too rusty, they will not provide the proper support for your Brakes to work dependably.

Secondly, your new Brake Pads need a smooth surface to squeeze against in order to stop your vehicle, so new Rotors will have the best chance of a smooth surface. When you machine the Rotors, you are essentially cutting off all of the bumpy imperfections. If the grooves are too deep, you end up cutting so much of the Rotors off that they are no longer thick enough to provide the proper support to brake your vehicle. Brake Rotors have a minimum thickness to function, as their job is to dissipate the heat caused by the friction of stopping. So if they become too thin, they are then susceptible to warping which leads to an unwanted pulsation while braking.

Many customers feel that they are saving money by not purchasing new Rotors. However, due to the labor it takes to machine the Rotors, the costs are comparable to purchasing new Rotors, and your new Rotors will now qualify for our 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty that we offer.

Brake Inspections should be a part of your routine maintenance to ensure the safety of your vehicle. If you find that your Brakes are not in the best shape, Ron’s Garage will repair or replace the necessary components (with the highest quality parts) to ensure your Brakes are functioning correctly.

Appropriately maintained Brakes are much more prone to extend the lifespan of your vehicle and get you safely from Point A to Point B, not to mention the peace of mind you will receive knowing you can count on them. As always, your Brake repair and replacement is covered under our exceptional 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty!