At Crabapple Automotive, we want our Alpharetta customers to have the opportunity to feel comfortable in their vehicle. You can leave the repairs and services to our professionals, but please don't hesitate to ask us questions about why a service is needed or how it occurred. Give us a call at 770-696-1486, and we will be happy to speak with you. Here is some valuable information on brake issues and corrective services Crabapple Automotive offers.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ensures your wheels keep rotating during braking, preventing skidding and providing better control. If your ABS light illuminates, visit Crabapple Automotive for a diagnosis and professional repair.
Brake Fluid Flushes
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air over time, diminishing brake effectiveness and becoming corrosive, potentially harming the system. Regular brake fluid flushes are vital to ensure fresh fluid usage in your vehicle. Consult our technicians at Crabapple Automotive to determine the right time for a brake fluid flush.
Brake Hoses
A brake hose carries pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A damaged hose can lead to delayed or weak braking, and a leak may result in brake failure. While the need for a replacement brake hose isn't common, any signs of cracking or wear should prompt immediate replacement.
Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement
Squealing brakes often indicate brake pad issues. When brake pads deteriorate completely, a harsh metal-on-metal grinding noise occurs during braking, indicating potential rotor or drum damage. Although experienced individuals may attempt home repairs, if you have brake concerns, it's best to consult an auto repair professional promptly.
Caliper Replacement
The brake caliper houses brake pads and clamps around the rotor to apply pressure during braking. Caliper problems can cause uneven braking, leading to skidding during braking and loss of control in adverse weather conditions. Contact Crabapple Automotive in Alpharetta at your earliest convenience for assistance.
Resurface Rotors
In a disc brake system, rotors attach to your vehicle's wheels. The friction with brake pads over time creates grooves and cracks. The process of resurfacing restores rotors to a "like-new" condition, reducing noise and wobbling. At Crabapple Automotive, we inspect your rotors thoroughly and recommend the best course of action.
FAQs About Brakes
What percent of brake pad life is 3mm?
When you purchase a new brake pad, it has a standard thickness of around 8 to 12 mm or about a half inch. Over time, your car's brake pad will wear away. A brake pad at 3 mm or around one tenth of an inch will take around 40,000 miles of driving to completely wear out. Don't wait until then to replace your brake pads. Once your brake pads reach 3 mm it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to get them replaced soon.Why is my dashboard brake light on?
If the brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it's either time for regular brake maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Stop by Crabapple Automotive and let us help you diagnose this issue quickly.What is the 30-30-30 rule for brakes?
Brake specialists advise initiating new brake pads by using a 30-30-30 method: Perform 30 gradual stops from 30 mph, allowing 30 seconds between each stop for the brakes to cool. This process protects against excessive heat buildup until the resins in the pads have completely cured.Why are my brakes squeaking?
Noises coming from your brakes do not usually indicate a high-cost auto repair. It could be a foreign object such as a small stone or road debris. It could also be a signal that your brake-pads are wearing out and need replacing. As brake pads wear bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to create a squeaking noise when you apply the brakes.Why are my brakes making a grinding noise?
Grinding noises usually indicate that your car's brake system is overdue for maintenance. The grinding sound is usually caused by the brake pad being completely worn away or the brake shoe scraping on metal contact points.Why are my brakes vibrating?
If your car shakes or vibrates or wobbles when you apply the brakes, it indicates that the thickness of your rotor is uneven. Brake rotors are large, perfectly round, smooth metal discs that sit inside of the wheels. When the disc has become misshapen or unevenly worn it will vibrate or wobble when you hit the brakes. Left uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. Come to Crabapple Automotive to get the face of your car's brake rotors resurfaced to fix the problem.How do I know if my car is leaking brake fluid?
If your car does not stop as quickly as you expect you may be leaking brake fluid. This is a serious problem. An important part of the braking process involves brake fluid, which is used to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, you won't be able to stop safely. We recommend taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible if it is leaking brake fluid.Why is my car pulling to one side when I am braking?
If your car is pulling to one side when braking it may be a bad brake hose or a caliper issue causing one brake to engage while the other is not. This causes a pull on the side where the brake is working properly.Why are my brakes making a burning smell?
Overheated brakes cause a noticeable burning chemical smell. Pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Ensure you did not accidentally leave the parking brake on. If there's any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving.What are the 3 signs that brake pads are worn?
The three most common sounds that indicate you need to replace your brake pads are squeaking, grinding or the dashboard brake indicator light coming on.What are the 3 types of brake pads?
There are three main types of brake pads in use today: non-asbestos organic, ceramic and semi-metallic. Come by Crabapple Automotive or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.To learn more about our Brake services, call us at 770-696-1486 or request a quote by clicking below:
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what our customers say
I used to live in this area and when I returned to buy a car I was happy to see this shop was still around. They did a pre-sale inspection for me, and were able to work me into their busy day. The cost was $139, and would include up to 3 cars to be inspected. To compare, the Toyota dealer was $160 per car and it's only a visual inspection. This was a great relief to know I could look at multiple cars without paying for each one. They did a thorough inspection and talked me through the whole thing. I was super impressed with their knowledge and dedication to doing a good job. I would trust them with other needs for my vehicle.
Do you remember when mechanics were the good guys? Truly loyal to their craft of automotive wizardry? When was the last time a "service writer" smiled (without deviously licking their chops), and made sustained eye contact with you when entering the facility? In movies they are helpful, honest, and dependable. Although in real life most interactions with the auto repair industry leave one with a sense of wonder, doubt, and the ever present, possible easy deception.... Have you ever encountered a mechanic or shop that told you what you need to do, what you should do and what you should save for? I know it's an easy concept, just think about it for a second..... Automotive enthusiasts aka repair technicians/mechanics know that your vehicle is an investment, not just a transportation device. In transportation safety is always paramount, so why not trust in people who see every vehicle as an extension of the customer (it is your baby after all) and treat it more like a doctor would a patient? With doctors, you make an appointment you walk in, they ask questions, and charge you $150 dollars. Then send you off to the next place for some testing, but you trust them because they have a large building, spotless uniforms and clean floors (dealerships). Why not take your baby/ investment to an automotive Dr. and shamen, who has the equivalent education of an 3 automotive PHD's (owner/ lead tech has ~40 years of successful businesses)! Long story short... I, myself am a mechanic and frequently take my children/ cars to his shop for all repairs. There is no greater remark possible in the auto repair industry than a referral!!! I guess this is mine. Thanks Grey! And remember, diagnostic fees are expected in all industries! You are paying for Dr's visit after all!
