Brake repair
Brake repair in Columbus, Ohio
Squeal, grind or a pedal that feels wrong? We measure your pads and rotors, send photos and a written price, and replace only what is actually worn.
What is that noise?
Match the sound your brakes are making
Brakes are good at telling you when something is wrong, if you know how to listen. Open the sound that seems familiar. It is a guide rather than a diagnosis, but it tells you how soon to come in.
Columbus winters are hard on brakes. Road salt from November to March rusts rotors and seizes slide pins, so a car that sits outside often needs attention sooner than the mileage suggests.
EeeeeA high-pitched squeal when you brake
Most pads have a small metal tab that squeals once they wear thin. It is a warning, not a failure yet. Book a brake check in the next week or two, before the squeal turns into a grind.
GrrrrGrinding or scraping metal
The pad lining is probably gone, and metal is grinding against the rotor. Stopping distances get longer and the rotors are damaged quickly. Drive gently and call us today.
Thud-thudPulsing through the pedal or the steering wheel
Usually rotors with uneven thickness, often after hard stops or wheels tightened unevenly. Most cars are safe to drive for now, but it gets worse and wears the pads faster.
PfffA soft pedal that sinks toward the floor
A sinking pedal can mean a fluid leak or air in the brake lines. Park the car and call us. We can arrange a tow to the shop.
ClunkThe car pulls to one side when you brake
A sticking caliper or a collapsed brake hose can make one wheel brake harder than the other. It rarely fixes itself, so book an inspection.
PingThe red brake warning light is on
First make sure the parking brake is fully released. If the light stays on, the fluid may be low, which often means worn pads or a leak. Have it checked before you drive far.
The brake job
What a brake job here includes
- A short road test before we start, to hear what you hear
- Pads and rotors measured and photographed, with the photos sent to your phone
- New pads and hardware, with slide pins cleaned and lubricated
- Rotors replaced only when they are below minimum thickness or damaged
- Brake fluid tested for moisture, then topped off or exchanged
- A second road test, and your old parts boxed up for you
Brake pricesSample from-prices
- Brake inspectionMeasurements and photosfromfrom $2920 min
- Brake pads, per axlePads, hardware, slide pinsfromfrom $1491.5 hr
- Pads and rotors, per axleNew rotors and padsfromfrom $3292 hr
- Brake fluid exchangeAll four wheelsfromfrom $9945 min
FAQ
Questions we hear at the counter
How long do brake pads last?
It depends on how and where you drive. Many cars go 30,000 to 60,000 miles on a set of front pads, and stop-and-go city traffic wears them faster than highway miles. We measure what is left and tell you roughly how many miles remain.
Do I always need new rotors with new pads?
No. If the rotors are above the minimum thickness stamped on them and are not warped or deeply scored, we leave them alone. When we do recommend rotors, you see the measurement and the photo first.
Why do rear brakes sometimes cost more?
Many newer cars have an electronic parking brake built into the rear calipers. It needs a scan tool to retract and a little more time, and the estimate shows that before you approve anything.
Can I wait while you do my brakes?
Yes. One axle of pads usually takes about an hour and a half, so plenty of people wait in the lounge. For pads and rotors on both axles, we suggest leaving the car and we will text you when it is ready.
Brakes making noise?
Book a brake inspection. Most take about 20 minutes, and you get the measurements either way.