Brake Repair

Brake repair isn't as hard as most people think - It can often be done by someone with some mechanical ability and a little bit of experience.

While many of the parts you might need to replace are not difficult, it is still very important that you know what you are doing and you have a repair manual on hand.

To troubleshoot, repair and maintain your vehicle, you'll need diagnostic and repair information that is specific to your car or truck. For this I personally use and recommend ALLDATAdiy. With full manuals for over 30,000 vehicles online, you will find an exact match for your vehicle's year, make and model.

Besides being cheaper than a factory manual, they also offer step by step repair instructions and detailed diagrams beyond what is found in most printed manuals. Click here for a sample of their diagnostic and repair information.

Having years of experience repairing many different types of brakes and all kinds of vehicles, I've included all my tips and tricks in each of the following brake repair and troubleshooting guides:

Brake Problems and Solutions

Brake Light is On

If your brake light is on then you need to find out why right away. Your brake warning light is there to tell you that something is wrong in your braking system. This section will tell you the most common causes as well as what you should do about it.

Brake Noise

If you've noticed some type of brake noise other than squeaking brakes then this is the section for you. I explain the most common causes of brake noise and why they happen. I also explain some of the best ways to avoid and/or fix this problem.

Squeaking Brakes

If you have noticed your brakes squeaking lately then check out this article. I'll tell you the most likely causes or this noise as well as some of the likely fixes as well. Some of them you can easily fix yourself while others need to be fixed by a mechanic.

Steering Wheel Shakes When Braking

If you have this problem there is one thing that will cause it 99% of the time. Read more to find out what it is and how to fix it.

Brake Fade

If you've ever been driving down a long hill and noticed that your brakes didn't really stop the car the way it should then you may have a problem with brake fade. In almost all cases brake fade can be completely avoided. I'll explain why this happens and how to keep it from happening again. 

Master Cylinder Problems

At some point you will probably have to deal with replacing your master cylinder. Here is a look at some of the common things that might be causing your problem along with what to do about it.

Brake Caliper Sticking

This is not a common problem, but it does happen sometimes. If you have this problem, or suspect it I'll show you some of the main areas of concern and what might be causing the problem. I'll also give you some of the most common ways to fix it.

If you still have any unresolved vehicle problems or questions, you can ask an auto mechanic online. For expert answers specific to your vehicle's make and model, I recommend JustAnswer Car. They have a large pool of certified mechanics to answer your questions for a small fee and you can also browse their answers to other users for free.

Brake Repair and Maintenance

How to Check Brake Pads

This guide will show you the best and easiest way to check your brake pads so you know if they need to be replaced soon or not. If you are worried that you may need new brakes soon, read this first so you can learn how to check for yourself.

How to Change Brake Pads

Most people with some amount of mechanical ability can do this job themselves. I'll show you the tools and supplies you need as well as all the tips and tricks to do this job correctly. This is a two part brake repair guide: Part 1, Part 2

How to Change Rotors

If your brake pads need to be replaced you might also want to change the rotors. Once you have the brake caliper off it is usually really easy to replace the rotors while you are there. This how-to guide will show you the best way to change them as well as a few tips and tricks.

How to Check Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is an integral part of the braking system of your vehicle. It is very important to check your brake fluid periodically. This how-to guide will show you the correct way to check your brake fluid.

Low Brake Fluid

Low brake fluid can be a very dangerous problem. If your brakes run too low on fluid then they won't be able to stop your vehicle. This guide will show you the common causes of low brake fluid and what you should do about it if you find that your car has this problem.

Brake Fluid Color

When checking your brake fluid you may notice that it is very dark, almost like used engine oil. If you find this then you need to get it changed. This article will show you what brake fluid should not look like and what to do if yours does look like this.

How to Add Brake Fluid

This is something that you need to know if you drive a car or truck. You may not ever have to do it, but you should know how simply because you don't want your vehicle to lose its ability to brake. If your brake fluid gets too low, then you won't be able to stop your vehicle.

Brake Repair Scams

Uncover the shady tactics used by dishonest repair shops to cheat customers into paying for parts and repairs that aren't required. If you have been scammed, learn what you can do about it here.

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