Disc brakes are fitted on most late model vehicles. For your safety and that of other motorists your vehicles brakes should be checked at least annually. All the wheels should be removed (regardless of the mileage travelled or age of the vehicle) so the following can be properly checked.

• The inner and outer brake pads (2) are checked for excessive or abnormal wear.

• The caliper (7) needs to be checked for leakages, and the piston dust boot isn’t    split or cracked

• Slide pins (1) need to be free and able to move sideways with ease

• The disc rotor (6) will be checked for thickness to make sure
   it is still in Roadworthy (RWC) or Safety Certificate Condition.

• Rubber brake hoses inspected for cracks, chafing and clear of fouling

• The wheel bearings are not noisy or have excessive movement/play

First Class Brakes records all information on the invoice so
you’re aware of the condition of your brakes.

When getting your vehicle serviced or getting your brakes inspected it is paramount that the hub – brake drum is removed and the following items are checked at least annually

Brake Shoes
Checking the amount of thickness left on the brake shoes, in most cases the leading or front brake shoe will wear the most as it does the most work in slowing you down when you apply the brakes

Wheel Cylinder
• check to make sure that the two pistons are not seized nor sticking
• make sure there is no brake fluid leaking out of either end of the wheel cylinder.
• If you are replacing the brake shoes it goes without saying for your safety new    wheel cylinders should also be replaced at the same time as the brake shoes.

Brake Drum or Brake hub
Machining of the brake drum is a vital part of completing the brake job.
The brake drum may have some of the following problems

• The drum can be out of round, egg shaped, not noticeable to the eye
• The drum can be tapered inwards or outwards again not noticeable with the eye    but once it is being machined this is clearly seen
• The drum can be very glazed and shiny like a mirror this is visually noticeable, the    glaze is removed once the drum is machined therefore allowing the new brake    shoes bite into the drum and do there job 100%
• All First Class Brakes vans are able to machine brake drums of various sizes.

Handbrake Cables
• Check the cables for fraying, or if the cable is seized or sticky

The front and rear of your vehicles brakes have brake hoses carrying the brake fluid to the discs and or drum brakes.  All brake hoses should be checked to make sure they are not cracked, split, bulging or showing signs of any leakages or any rust on the unions, banjo’s any of the above and new hoses must be fitted and the brakes rebled, or the brake fluid changed. If any banjo bolts are going through a hole at the end of the brake hose then new copper washers must be fitted to allow a good seal so no leakages will occur.

First Class brakes stock a range of copper washers in there mobile vans

Changing your vehicles brake fluid at least ONCE every 2 years is critical to getting longer life out of your brakes some vehicles may need it changed sooner... Let me explain.  Clean brake fluid keeps all the other parts of the braking system in good working order, just as your cars engine oil and oil filter are changed on a regular basis often the brake fluid is overlooked.

Without getting to technical old brake fluid decreases your cars ability to slow to a stop in certain conditions. First Class Brakes test your cars brake fluid hydroscopically to see how much moisture/water is in the brake fluid.

What if my brake fluid needs replacing?
Within most cases up to 30 minutes is all that is needed to
change your brake fluid.

• The old brake fluid is removed from the master cylinder and new fluid is    poured in once the reservoir is cleaned.
• Then the new brake fluid is flushed / changed down to the wheels    cleaning out any old fluid in the steel and rubber brake lines on its way.
• Finally a road test must be performed after the job is done making
   sure all is well.

When was your vehicles
brake fluid last checked / tested ?

Call us now 0435 221 566 and get a FREE brake fluid test done

The minute the brake pedal rubber has worn excessively or the rubber comes off the brake pedal you’re in danger.

You only have to hop in the car after walking in the rain and when you need to stop there is a high chance your foot may slip off the brake pedal if the pedal rubber is worn. If your brake pedal rubber is worn or starting to move about or starting to fall off get it replaced NOW... Before it’s too late

Get your mechanic to check your stop lights whilst your there it’ll only take a couple of extra moments BUT you’ll be surprised how many people drive around on a daily basis with at least one if not two stop lights not working.

Before you head off on that well earned holiday how about getting the caravan and or boat brakes checked, the wheel bearings can also be looked at, at the same time.

You van or boat is usually your pride and joy, DON’T let the brakes get between you and your holiday / break. Pictured are electric brakes that are applied by a magnet as seen on the bottom centre or the picture via a unit inside the towing vehicle which can increase or decrease the amount of braking you require.
As for normal drum brakes (see the rear brake section under BRAKES) the drums and brake shoes and associated hardware all need to be in great working condition.

Because First Class Brakes are Mobile we can come to you, saving you time and hassle in the busy traffic you’d normally have to tow your Caravan or Boat trailer somewhere for repairs, only to have to return later on in the day to tow it home again.

We’ll come to you, check and show you the condition of the brakes and wheel bearings.

Just some of the problems that may be encountered:

Excessive movement in any suspension part of the front or rear of your vehicle WILL affect the overall performance of the braking system this also goes for the Shock Absorber (Red area in diagram on right)

Any vibrations through the steering wheel or brake pedal could mean a disc rotor is warped or cracked, an out of round brake drum.

A bald tyre won’t help either..

How come I need my disc rotors machined ?

Various reasons but some are as follows:
• On the outer and inner surface edges of the disc there may be wear ridges or    lips, if not machined the new brake pads can rub on the ridge or lip and cause a    noise and or squeak.
• The disc surfaces aren’t parallel to each other the disc may be:
• Tapered inwards or outwards, the disc rotor may be concave
• Shiny – glazed surfaces on the disc, your new brake pads won’t bite into the disc    rotor as well.
• The disc rotor may be slightly warped, the brake drum may be out of round,    giving you a shaking steering wheel or pulsating brake pedal when braking.

IMPORTANT!
Any brake machining that has been done make sure that you sight the drum or disc rotor machined measurements. You should be given the Disc rotor minimum thickness or the Brake Drum Maximum diameter. This will make you aware that the disc rotor or brake drum are still within the required vehicle manufactures specifications, MORE SO that the drum or disc is still in a Road Worthy or Safety Certificate Condition

First Class Brakes will always record these measurements and go one step further by stamping the machined drum or disc for our high Quality Control Standards.