Cars, trucks and SUV’s all have brakes and the braking system is a vital aspect to any vehicle. Clark Automotive Clinic, located in Blaine, MN is a full services automobile repair shop, with years of knowledge and experience. We offer Brake Repairs and Maintenance Services, as well as Second Opinions, Engine Diagnostics, Electrical Repairs and just about any other repair a vehicle owner could need.
Honest Blaine Auto Repairs
We want to inform our clients and potential clients, so they can have knowledge on their side when seeking repairs, either at our shop or another. Below you will find that we put together common brake issues we have seen and our professional opinion. This is no way the ‘exact answer’ to your problems but it might give you some insight and help direct you towards the correct solution or help you recognize when the exact issue your seeking fixed is not being address by another mechanic.
Common Vehicle Brake Issues:
You notice a strong, hot odor and or smoke coming off the brakes:
You will generally have to have the car towed in. The brakes are locked up and great damage will be caused or you will become stranded. There are a number of causes, but generally will be the brake calipers being stuck on or rear drum brakes frozen or stuck.
You step on the brakes and the brake pedal seems to move very little, it is firm, and the braking force is low:
This can be the brake master cylinder or brake booster not working correctly. This is difficult to diagnose and can also be a mechanical issue with the brakes. Immediate attention is required and may even be serious enough consider having the car towed in.
The Red brake light is on:
The first thing to check is to make sure the emergency brakes are not on. The emergency brake sensor switch can also be out of adjustment or defective. The second thing to check is the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. As the brakes wear the fluid level drops and should have fresh brake fluid added. The next thing to review is there any other brake performance observations that need to be considered. Even if the brakes are working fine a visit to your mechanic should be planned.
The Orange ABS light is on:
This means the Anti-Lock brakes are not operating. The regular brakes are still working and will not be a safety issue during normal braking. This issue is generally caused by defective speed sensors or electronic controllers. It can be very easy to fix or quite expensive, but will require that the fault codes in the ABS controlled be retrieved and perhaps some diagnostic time.
I bet you were wondering if I forgot about; when you step on the brakes there is a grinding noise:
Well it is time to get the brakes fixed. In Minnesota we are generally going to be replacing the rotors anyway, so it needs to get fixed, but you do have time to make an appointment and get it in. That does not mean you can go for two more weeks as you will ruin the calipers given long enough. If the scraping only occurs at bumps or when turning it can be a wheel bearing. Again Clark Automotive will provide you a free estimate and review your options with you.
We offer free advice and affordable vehicle repairs, contact Clark Automotive Repair Clinic today and we can repair your vehicle: efficiently, honestly and correctly.
Shop Location
9985 Davenport St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
Phone: (763) 784-7944
Email: info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com
Shop Hours
MON – FRI 8:00 – A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
SAT (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)
