Brake Repair in Birmingham
Autos Craft LTD repairs and replaces braking systems in Birmingham from our workshop on Cherrywood Road. We work on brake pads, brake discs, calipers, brake fluid and brake lines, as well as handbrake cables and mechanisms, for the full range of everyday cars.
Brakes are the one system where a symptom should never wait: squeaking or grinding, a spongy pedal, vibration when braking or a warning light all deserve an inspection. We check the system, explain what is worn and what is still serviceable, and only replace what needs replacing. Call 07961 404768 or message us on WhatsApp at any hour.
Brake parts we repair and replace
The braking system wears by design: pads and discs rub together every time you slow down, and heat, moisture and road salt take their toll on everything around them. We replace worn brake pads and scored or lipped discs, free off or replace seized calipers, and change degraded brake fluid after checking the lines for corrosion and leaks.
The handbrake gets the same attention. We check cables, levers and the mechanism at each rear wheel for stretch, seizure or corrosion, then adjust the handbrake so it holds the car firmly with a sensible amount of travel.
Symptoms worth acting on
Any change in how the brakes feel or sound is worth an inspection without delay. These are the signs we see most often, and each points to a specific part of the braking system.
- Squeaking, squealing or grinding when you brake
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel under braking
- A spongy or soft brake pedal
- A brake warning light on the dashboard
- The car pulling to one side when braking
- A longer stopping distance than usual
How we inspect your brakes
We remove the wheels where needed and visually inspect the brake pads, discs, calipers and brake lines for wear, scoring, corrosion and leaks. We check the brake fluid level and condition, look at the handbrake mechanism, and carry out a brake test to feel how the system performs.
You then get a plain explanation of what is worn, what is still serviceable, and what we recommend. We only quote after the inspection, so the figure matches what your car actually needs.
After the repair
New pads and discs need a proper brake test before the car goes back to you, and we check the pedal feel and stopping performance on the road. If we changed the fluid or worked on the handbrake, we test those too.
We show you the worn parts we removed and explain what caused the wear, so you know what to watch for next time. If a brake warning light was showing, we confirm it stays off after the repair.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my brakes squeak when I brake?
Squeaking often comes from brake pads that are wearing thin, from dust and wear on the disc surface, or from pads that have glazed. It can also start after the pads wear past their design limit. A visual inspection of the pads and discs shows the cause quickly, and we explain what we find before recommending pads, discs or both.
What causes a spongy brake pedal?
A spongy pedal usually points to air or moisture in the brake lines, low or degraded brake fluid, or a fluid leak somewhere in the braking system. Worn pads and discs can also change how the pedal feels. Because the brakes are safety-critical, we check the fluid level and condition, look for leaks, and test the pedal before recommending anything.
What happens during a brake inspection?
We remove the wheels where needed and visually inspect the brake pads, discs, calipers and brake lines for wear, scoring, corrosion and leaks. We check the brake fluid level and condition, look at the handbrake mechanism, and carry out a brake test. You then get a plain explanation of what is worn, what is still serviceable, and what we recommend.
How do I know if my brake discs need replacing?
Scored, lipped or badly corroded discs need replacing, as do discs worn below their safe working thickness. If the car vibrates when braking or the stopping distance feels longer, the discs may be warped or worn. We measure and inspect the discs during every brake check and show you the wear before recommending replacement.
How does handbrake repair work?
We check the handbrake cables, levers and the mechanism at each rear wheel for stretch, seizure or corrosion, then test how many clicks it takes to hold the car on a slope. Worn or seized parts are replaced and the handbrake is adjusted so it holds firmly with a sensible travel. We test the hold before handing the car back.
What affects the cost of brake repair?
Cost depends on what the inspection finds: pads alone cost less than pads and discs together, and calipers, brake fluid changes or handbrake work add their own factors. Your car's make and model also matter, as larger or heavier vehicles carry different brake components. We quote only after inspecting, so the figure matches your car.