Brakes
Brake Repairs and Pad Replacement in Nunawading
Pads, discs, fluid and the whole brake system, diagnosed by measurement and quoted before the work starts. Brakes are also a roadworthy item, and we are a licensed vehicle tester, so we can handle both in one visit.
What the noise is telling you
Brakes give plenty of warning before they become dangerous, and each symptom points somewhere different:
- A high squeal that comes and goes: usually the wear indicator touching the disc, which means the pads are near the end of their life
- A grinding or grating noise: usually metal on metal, which means the pad material is gone and the disc is being damaged every time you brake
- A pulsing or shuddering pedal under braking: usually a disc that has warped or worn unevenly
- A pedal that sinks slowly under steady pressure: a fluid or seal problem, and the one to take seriously immediately
- The car pulling to one side as you brake: often a sticking caliper or a seized slide pin
- A handbrake that needs far more travel than it used to: adjustment, or worn rear shoes on the cars that use them
None of that is a diagnosis on its own. It tells us where to look. The wheels come off so we can measure rather than guess.
How we work out what you actually need
We measure the pads and the discs against the manufacturer minimum thickness rather than eyeballing them, check the hoses, seals and calipers, and test the condition of the fluid. Then you get a price for what genuinely needs doing.
Fitting new pads to a disc that is already below minimum thickness is false economy: the pads will not bed properly and you will be back sooner than you should be. Equally, we are not going to sell you discs that have plenty of life left in them. The measurement decides it, and we are happy to show you the numbers.
We fit brake components from the brands we trust, Brembo among them, and match the specification to the car. On a heavy car, a fast one, or anything that spends its weekends in the hills, that specification matters a great deal more than the price printed on the box.
The part everybody forgets: brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, and moisture lowers its boiling point. Fluid that boils gives you a soft pedal at precisely the moment you need a firm one, typically on a long descent or after several hard stops in a row. Nothing about the way the car drives day to day warns you first.
Most manufacturers specify a fluid change every two years regardless of how far the car has travelled, which catches people out because it is a time interval rather than a distance one. We test the fluid as part of a brake inspection and tell you where yours has got to.
Brakes and the roadworthy certificate
Brakes are one of the items a Victorian roadworthy inspection covers, and worn pads, scored discs and a weak handbrake are among the more common reasons a car fails. BM Garage is a licensed vehicle tester, so when a car is in for a roadworthy and fails on the brakes, the repair and the re-inspection happen here in the same visit.
Booking brake work
If the car is grinding, or the pedal has gone long, call the workshop rather than booking for next week. Brakes are the one thing worth interrupting the schedule for, and we would far rather fit you in. For anything less urgent, book through the form and describe the noise and when it happens.
BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce are our specialty and we work on Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche and everyday makes as well. One of our Google reviews covers a full front and rear brake replacement on a Mercedes carried out alongside a complete service, which is a fair picture of the range of what comes through.
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How much does brake pad replacement cost?
It depends on the car and on whether the discs need replacing as well, so we measure first and quote before any work starts. The quote is a fixed price agreed with you, and we do not add to it without asking you first.
Do I need new discs when I replace the pads?
Only if the discs are below the manufacturer minimum thickness, or scored, cracked or warped. We measure them and give you the numbers. Fitting new pads to a disc that is out of specification wastes the pads, and replacing a disc that is still within specification wastes your money.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Most manufacturers specify every two years regardless of distance travelled, because brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and that lowers its boiling point. We test the fluid as part of a brake inspection and tell you where yours is at.
My brakes squeal but the car stops fine. Is it urgent?
A squeal is often the wear indicator telling you the pads are near the end, which is a booking rather than an emergency. A grinding noise is a different matter: that is usually metal on metal, and it damages the discs every time you brake, so have it looked at straight away.
Can worn brakes fail a roadworthy?
Yes. Brakes are part of the Victorian roadworthy inspection, and worn pads, damaged discs and an ineffective handbrake are common failures. We are a licensed vehicle tester, so we can repair and re-inspect in the same visit.
More answers, including servicing, booking and payment, are on the questions page.
Book it in
Tell us what you are hearing and when you hear it, and we will know where to start.
BM Garage, 13 Metropolitan Ave, Nunawading VIC 3131
Mon – Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 8:30am – 1:30pm, Sunday Closed