What’s included in a visual brake check?
As a driver, it can be hard to know when to replace brake pads and rotors. What do the experts look for?
Our free visual brake inspections help our team of experts identify any potential brake or rotor issues before they become a cause for concern.
Inspecting your vehicle’s brake pads
As we visually inspect brakes, we’re looking at three major components—brake pads, brake rotors, and hydraulics such as calipers, hoses and lines—for any signs of worn or wearing parts, brake dust, irregular wear, or brake fluid leaks. These will indicate whether your brakes need replacing now, or in the near future.
Estimating when to replace brake pads
Our mechanics search for signs of wear on the brake pads and estimate the pad’s remaining life by measuring the remaining thickness. While thin or warped brake pads are reason enough to bring your vehicle in for a full inspection, they are also inspected as a routine service by our experts.
Monitoring brake rotors
Depending on the spacing and design of your wheel, you may be able to see a shining silver disc behind the alloy spokes. Brake discs should be shiny and free of blemishes or pronounced grooves. Thin lines, meanwhile, are signs of normal wear.
Checking hydraulics
As we transition from slushy Canadian winter roads to sun-baked asphalt and back again, metal brake lines can become corroded from exposure to salt or ice-melting chemical solutions. Our mechanic experts also inspect rubber-coated lines to ensure the coating remains supple and that your brake calipers display no evidence of sticking, seizing or binding.
Shocks, struts, and steering components are also accounted for in our quick and free visual inspection.
Post-inspection
If our experts identify signs of wear, you may not need to foot a considerable repair bill. Your brakes may only require a proper clean and service, not a full replacement.
This free, cursory inspection can help keep you and your vehicle safe and catch any issues with your brakes before they become a safety concern.
Kal Tire’s free visual brake inspections help ensure that your vehicle is safe for the road, whether you’re simply traversing downtown traffic or hitting the highway for a weekend getaway.
How much does it cost to change your brakes?
Think your brakes are due for a replacement? Wondering what it will cost to replace your brakes?
Check out our handy online brake replacement estimator tool to get a sense of how much it could cost to replace your front and/or rear brakes based on your vehicle’s make, model and year. You’ll see everything that’s included in the cost, even before booking your free brake inspection.
