Back to all

Brake Service at Tuffy Bloomington in Bloomington

December 11, 2017

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

A regular brake inspection is on every Illinois driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Tuffy Bloomington, 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 Bloomington 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. Bloomington  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 Bloomington area body shop after an accident.

Tuffy Bloomington
1505 East Vernon Avenue
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
309.662.0537

More articles from Tuffy Bloomington

Busting Automotive Myths in Bloomington, Illinois

March 24, 2024

Myths passed around our Bloomington, Illinois community start with a grain of evidence and are then built up with a lot of imagination and very elastic logic. And the internet is a breeding ground for automotive myths. Some bloggers recall the vehicles of yesteryear and declare their modern dece... More

Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)

March 17, 2024

When's the last time you thought about spark plugs? You probably don't remember. That's because spark plugs usually last a long time and don't need much attention. But they don't last forever, and when they start going bad, they'll send you a few clues. Vehicle is hard to start. Fuel economy ... More

See the Light (Automatic High Beam Dimmers)

March 10, 2024

It's happened to all of us. We're driving down a highway at night and over a crest appears a car with its high beams blazing. You are momentarily blinded, hoping the other driver will switch them to their low beam setting and restore your vision. Not only do we not appreciate being blinded, fac... More