Back to all

Brake Service at Tuffy Lorain in Lorain

August 28, 2022

Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Lorain drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.

A regular brake inspection is on every Ohio driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Tuffy Lorain, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your Lorain service center right away. And watch out for these problems:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.

There are several things that need to be serviced on the brake system. First, the brake pads and shoes wear out with use and become too thin to really help. If the brake pads wear away completely you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced, and that can be expensive. But putting it off is dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

Brake fluid is also important. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid, not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Lorain  drivers should change the brake fluid when their vehicle manufacturer recommends it.

Be sure to properly maintain your brakes because it's a lot cheaper than paying your nearest Lorain area body shop after an accident.

Tuffy Lorain
1400 Broadway
Lorain, Ohio 44052
440-245-2823
https://www.tuffylorain.com

More articles from Tuffy Lorain

Don't Do It Yourself (Perils of DIY Vehicle Repair)

April 27, 2025

Your vehicle is a complicated machine, and yes, it would be nice if you could take care of all of its problems yourself. There was a time when vehicles were simpler and it wasn't too hard for a weekend mechanic to replace brakes, adjust a carburetor or perform a tune-up. But vehicles are far mo... More

The Economy of Maintenance for Lorain Drivers

April 20, 2025

Do I keep my old vehicle or buy a new one? It's a question most Lorain drivers ask themselves at some time or another.Generally, what it comes down to is the choice between a car payment and the possibility of repair bills. Most of the time, we want to choose the car payment because we don't like... More

Prepare Your Windshield for Winter (Wiper Blades and Fluid for Freezing Temperatures)

April 13, 2025

Winter and freezing temperatures present challenges for different parts of your vehicles. For example, winter tires give you better traction on snow. But some parts of your vehicle that may need special attention for winter are your windshield wipers. You may have found yourself in the middle o... More