If you need brake maintenance or repair, Gary's Automotive and Truck Service can take care of
your needs quickly and affordably. Call us at 325-676-3169 or visit us in Abilene and
we'll inspect your vehicle, provide cost-effective recommendations and get your
vehicle up and running smoothly. Your brakes are a vital safety feature, so if
you're unsure of their integrity, please get in touch with us right away!
Anti-Lock Brake System
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) ensure that the wheels don't stop rotating during braking, preventing the car from skidding and offering greater control. If your ABS light comes on, visit Gary's Automotive and Truck Service where we will be happy to diagnose and fix the problem.
Brake Fluid Flushes
Brake fluid will absorb water from the air over time, causing the brake system to become less effective and the fluid to become corrosive, possibly damaging the system. It is important to perform a brake fluid flush regularly to ensure that your vehicle is using fresh fluid. Talk to our technicians at Gary's Automotive and Truck Service about when it's time for a brake fluid flush.
Brake Hoses
A brake hose is a tube carrying pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A crushed hose can cause a lagged or slow brake, and a leak in the hose can cause the brake, or the entire brake system, to fail. These don't need to be replaced often, but should be replaced at the first sign of cracking or wear.
Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement
Brake pad problems can usually be identified by squealing brakes. If your brake pads deteriorate completely, you'll hear a grinding metal-on-metal sound when braking, meaning that it's too late and you're ruining your rotors or drums! Those with knowledge of auto repair may be able to fix this at home, but you should always see an auto repair professional immediately if you have brake problems.
Caliper Replacement
The brake caliper houses your brake pads and fits around the rotor like a clamp, pressing the pads against the rotor when you brake. A brake caliper problem could cause uneven braking, making your car slide forward when you brake. Uneven braking can also cause your vehicle to slide out of control in bad weather conditions, so contact Gary's Automotive and Truck Service as soon as possible.
Resurface Rotors
In a disc brake system, rotors are attached to your vehicle's wheels. When the brake pads grip the rotor, they bring both the rotor and wheels to a stop. However, the friction causes grooves and cracks to appear over time. Resurfacing brings the rotor back to a "like-new" condition, reducing squealing and wobbling. Gary's Automotive and Truck Service will give your rotors a thorough inspection and recommend your best course of action.
Brakes Questions and Answers
Q: Why are my brakes making a grinding noise?
A: Grinding noises usually indicate that your car's brake system is overdue for maintenance. The grinding sound is usually caused by the brake pad being completely worn away or the brake shoe scraping on metal contact points.
Q: Why are my brakes squeaking?
A: Noises coming from your brakes do not usually indicate a high-cost auto repair. It could be a foreign object such as a small stone or road debris. It could also be a signal that your brake-pads are wearing out and need replacing. As brake pads wear bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to create a squeaking noise when you apply the brakes.
Q: Why are my brakes making a burning smell?
A: Overheated brakes cause a noticeable burning chemical smell. Pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Ensure you did not accidentally leave the parking brake on. If there's any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving.
Q: Why are my brakes vibrating?
A: If your car shakes or vibrates or wobbles when you apply the brakes, it indicates that the thickness of your rotor is uneven. Brake rotors are large, perfectly round, smooth metal discs that sit inside of the wheels. When the disc has become misshapen or unevenly worn it will vibrate or wobble when you hit the brakes. Left uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. Come to Gary's Automotive and Truck Service to get the face of your car's brake rotors resurfaced to fix the problem.
Q: How do I know if my car is leaking brake fluid?
A: If your car does not stop as quickly as you expect you may be leaking brake fluid. This is a serious problem. An important part of the braking process involves brake fluid, which is used to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, you won't be able to stop safely. We recommend taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible if it is leaking brake fluid.
Q: Why is my dashboard brake light on?
A: If the brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it's either time for regular brake maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Stop by Gary's Automotive and Truck Service and let us help you diagnose this issue quickly.
Q: What are the 3 signs that brake pads are worn?
A: The three most common sounds that indicate you need to replace your brake pads are squeaking, grinding or the dashboard brake indicator light coming on.
Q: What percent of brake pad life is 3mm?
A: When you purchase a new brake pad, it has a standard thickness of around 8 to 12 mm or about a half inch. Over time, your car's brake pad will wear away. A brake pad at 3 mm or around one tenth of an inch will take around 40,000 miles of driving to completely wear out. Don't wait until then to replace your brake pads. Once your brake pads reach 3 mm it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to get them replaced soon.
Q: What are the 3 types of brake pads?
A: There are three main types of brake pads in use today: non-asbestos organic, ceramic and semi-metallic. Come by Gary's Automotive and Truck Service or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.
Q: Why is my car pulling to one side when I am braking?
A: If your car is pulling to one side when braking it may be a bad brake hose or a caliper issue causing one brake to engage while the other is not. This causes a pull on the side where the brake is working properly.
Discover More About Brake Repair Services At Gary's Automotive and Truck Service in Abilene
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What People Say About Us
If you have an electrical issue with a vehicle they have a wiring wizard named MARK. Told him what problem I had and he told me " I WILL FIND IT ". It's hard to find confident people that actually take great pride in taking a challenge and fixing it quickly. Turned out aftermarket gps was the issue that was hard wired under dash. Thanks fellas for a great job !!!!!!!!!!
The only mechanic in town I trust to work on my car! Shawn is great at what he does and is always fast, affordable, and provides the best customer service.
Can always depend on them for fast and reliable service. You wont ever meet more honest people I trust them completely with all my vehicles both personal and for my company Jolly Roofing.
I have used Gary's Automotive ever since I moved to Abilene (5 years now). They are honest and I never worry about my vehicle or being ripped off! They're family run and are the type of people to show you and walk you through anything. I trust them to take care of me no matter the issue. They're so good at what they do, my mom drove 6 hrs to get her vehicle seen by them. I wouldn't recommend anyone else!
It is so hard to find a business today that is honest, demonstrates integrity and believes in doing the job right the first time with out cutting corners. BUT, that and more is exactly what I found at Gary's Automotive and Truck Service. I am beyond impressed with the service and customer care that I received. TO EACH OF YOU...THANK YOU!!! I will return as a customer and recommend your services to everyone!!!
My 04 Tahoe had been down for 4 months, and my husband finally took it in to have Gary?s look at it. I was very pleased with how fast my truck was back up and running, and the work was done correctly. Haven?t had any issues with it since. It?s incredibly hard to find an honest business in this line of work, but Gary?s tops them all. We will DEFINITELY be bringing all of our future vehicles to the shop!
