What Repairs We Perform

Brake Caliper, Brake Pads and Brake Rotor Replacement.

If your brake pads have hit metal on metal creating a grinding noise, then you will need brake pads and rotor replacement. 
We check and service brake caliper pins, hardware and boots for our brake inspections. If there is a caliper issue such as seized brake bleeders, seized caliper piston or leaking caliper seals, then you will be notified prior to replacement.

Brake Shoe, Wheel cylinder, hardware and Drum Replacement

Although brake shoes are becoming a thing of the past we still service older vehicles that require their replacement. Brake shoes have a legal requirement of 2/32 of material in order to pass a New York State Inspection. When we replace brake shoes we also replace the hardware that holds them together as it rusts and becomes brittle over time. We will check wheel cylinder seals for leakage during all brake shoe replacements. Lastly, depending on condition of brake drums we will recommend replacement or service. 

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement

If your brake pedal fades after coming to a stop, then there could be a leak or the master cylinder is failing. Often times brake master cylinders fail due to contaminated brake fluid. They can also fail if a seal wears out or the piston pushes to far down. 
Brake Master cylinders are not a common replacement on modern cars. We frequently replace them on vintage cars as brake fluid breaks down, turns acidic and then causes seal failure. Usually Master Cylinders get replaced due to another problem such as a brake line leaking that has caused the pedal and piston travel to go to far.

Brake Line and Hydrualic Hose Replacement

In our climate, brake lines typically rust out due to salt and corrosion. Brake line replacement costs are always on a per job basis. The reason is because each car has brake lines routed differently than another. Also, sometimes we can replace small sections versus whole lines. It is important to note, that often times brake hoses are replaced with line repairs the fittings and threads get badly rusted over time. Calipers can also become a problem if brake bleeders will not open. In order to get air out of the hydraulic system for proper function , the bleeders must be able to open and close. 

ABS Repair

If your ABS light has come, that means your anti-lock brakes are no longer working. A diagnostic scan test is required to extract a code and figure out what has happened. Typically a wheel speed sensor has failed and requires diagnostic time to figure out if it is a sensor issue, tone ring or wiring fault. Unfortunately ABS repairs tend to be more time consuming. ABS is an important safety feature though as many drivers no longer pump the brakes when stopping on snow, ice and in heavy rain.