Brake Inspection in Maryland Heights, MO

At Quality Auto Repair & Auto Sales, we follow a comprehensive inspection process to ensure your brakes are working safely and efficiently. Our expert technicians examine every component of your brake system using specialized tools and years of experience.

Test Drive

Depending on your experience, we may start the inspection with a test drive. This allows us to feel how your vehicle performs in real-world conditions.

During the drive, our technicians listen for unusual sounds like grinding, squealing, or scraping that might indicate worn brake pads or damaged rotors.

We also pay close attention to how your vehicle responds when braking. If we notice pulling to one side, vibrations through the steering wheel, or a spongy brake pedal, these could signal problems requiring immediate attention.

The test drive helps us identify issues you might experience in everyday driving that wouldn't be apparent when the vehicle is stationary. We note any concerns to investigate further during the visual inspection phase.

Visual Inspection

After the test drive, we perform a detailed visual inspection of all brake components. We remove the wheels to get full access to the entire brake system.

We examine the brake pads to measure their remaining thickness. Pads should generally have at least 3-4mm of material left for safe operation. We check both inner and outer pads since they often wear at different rates.

Our technicians inspect the brake rotors for:

• Scoring or grooves
• Signs of overheating
• Warping or thickness variations
• Rust or corrosion

We also examine brake calipers for proper operation, looking for stuck pistons or damaged seals that could cause uneven braking or fluid leaks. The brake lines and hoses are inspected for cracks, leaks, or weakness that could lead to brake failure.

Brake Fluid Check

We check both the quantity and quality of brake fluid during our inspections.

First, we verify the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir is between the minimum and maximum marks. Low fluid often indicates worn brake pads or a potential leak in the system.

We test the fluid's condition using specialized tools that measure moisture content and contamination levels. Brake fluid naturally absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and can cause brake fade during heavy use.

The color of the fluid tells us a lot too. Fresh brake fluid is typically amber-colored and clear. Dark brown or black fluid indicates contamination and needs replacement.

We recommend changing brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage to maintain optimal braking performance and prevent internal corrosion of brake components.

Wheel Component Check

The final part of our brake inspection focuses on the wheel components that support the brake system. These parts ensure your brakes work effectively and safely.

We inspect wheel bearings for proper operation and signs of wear. Damaged bearings can cause uneven brake pad wear and compromise vehicle stability during braking.

Our technicians check that all hardware is present and properly torqued, including:

• Caliper mounting bolts
• Lug nuts
• Brake line fittings
• Dust shields

We examine ABS sensors and wiring for damage that might trigger warning lights or affect anti-lock braking performance.

For drum brakes, we remove the drums to inspect brake shoes, wheel cylinders, springs, and self-adjusters. These components wear differently than disc brakes and require specialized knowledge to properly evaluate.