• Rotors and pads

• Caliper replacement

• Steel brake line replacement from corrosion damage

• Master cylinders and brake boosters

• ABS modules

• Automated brake bleed procedures

• Brake fluid flushes and contamination testing

Brakes That Have Not Been Properly Repaired Can:

Shorten Brakes Lifespan.

Michigan weather can cause the vents on rotors to rust. This can make them get too hot and eventually warp, shortening their lifespan.

GET UP TO 20K MORE MILES ON YOUR BRAKES!

At Haven Automotive we care about your safety and the longevity of the parts we put on your vehicle. That’s why we inspect over 20 different items during our brake repairs, not just the brake pads. This can give you an extra 20,000 miles on your brakes.

Michigan weather can wreak havoc on your brakes - don’t take a chance on a lesser quality brake job.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost for a brake repair?

For just pads and rotors, it will take about 1.5 hours of labor/per axle. Depending on the quality of parts installed, a quality brake repair will cost $300-$400 depending on your vehicle.

If any of the calipers need to be replaced also, this will add an additional cost. Typically calipers are reusable -however, sometimes there is damage to the dust cover or to the piston that applies pressure to the rotors . Not replacing these calipers when needed can shorten the life of new brake pads significantly.

How much is a brake inspection?

At Haven Automotive, we will inspect the basic condition and thickness of your pads and rotors as part of our standard process during an Oil Change, or a Vehicle Inspection.

If you come in specifically for a Brake Inspection, the cost is $47. This amount will be applied as a credit to any brake repairs needed, if completed within 30 days of the inspection.

Can I replace my brakes by myself?

I get asked this question all the time! Can I replace my own brakes?

Sure, it takes only basic knowledge to remove the caliper, slide in fresh pads and put them back on. Unfortunately, a poorly done brake job may only reveal itself in a critical moment when stopping distance matters most. How many times have you “almost” rear ended someone? Add just 10 or 15 feet to that and it's game over.

You may not actually be saving any money, if your “pad slap” as most people refer to it, only lasts 30,000 miles. A quality professional brake repair can last up to 50,000 miles. The initial cost is twice as much, but it will last almost twice as long, and have an added benefit of a warranty.

How do I know if my front or back brakes are bad?

There are many ways brakes can go bad. Brakes will shake or grind, Hydraulic Lines can rust and fail, Master Cylinders can leak and lose pressure, and Brake Boosters can cause all sorts of issues.

The bottom line is, if something isn’t right - bring your vehicle in to be inspected by a professional. Brakes are important, and should be treated as something that could save or jeopardize your safety and others.  

Is it bad to drive with grinding brakes?

I get at least one call a week from a customer saying their brakes were fine one minute, and grinding the next, making a terrible noise! The last of the brake pad is gone, and the remaining plate is rubbing on the rotor - causing the ‘metal on metal’ dreadful noise. Within a few stops, enough damage can occur to the rotor requiring that to be replaced along with the pads.

If your brakes have just started to grind you don’t have to pull over and have your car towed. However, you should definitely have them repaired and/or replaced as soon as possible. If left too long, you could experience total brake failure and create a dangerous situation for you and others.

How can I tell if my brakes need to be replaced?

If your steering wheel or brake pedal is shaking when you brake - especially at higher speeds - this usually means that your rotors are warped and will need to be resurfaced, or replaced.

If your brakes are squeaking when the brake pedal is applied, or if they’re squealing when its not - that is an indication that your brake pads could be getting thin and will need to be replaced.

If your brake pedal goes almost to the floor before you begin to stop, there could be an issue with a broken line or another hydraulic component is failing. Immediately STOP driving the vehicle, and bring it in for service as soon as possible.  

Why are my brakes suddenly grinding?

What’s happening is that when the last of the soft brake pad material is gone the plate that supports that material is rubbing up against the rotor.  That’s why people use the term “metal on metal.” This can happen slowly over several days, or if your pad is wearing very evenly it can go from stopping fine, to grinding almost immediately. This is why it’s good to get a brake inspection periodically as part of your general maintenance, because not all brakes squeak before they go bad.

Can brakes make noise when not braking?

Absolutely, the biggest “clue” is that when you apply your brake pedal, the noise will either start or go away. Brakes that issues can make all kinds of noise while the car is moving, and as soon as you apply the pedal the vibration/noise can be absorbed by the brake pads.  This is also true if you have tabs on your pads that cause noise or squeaking “on purpose” to tell you that the pads are thin. That noise will usually go away while you’re braking.

What do bad rotors sound like?

Bad rotors can sound just like grinding brakes. A bad rotors is typically a rotor with an imperfection caused by rust. When the shiny surface of the rotor rusts off it leaves the pads a rough uneven surface to grab on to. This will also significantly shorten the life of the brake pad.

What happens if you drive with worn brake pads?

A worn brake pad is a pad that has 2mm of brake pad thickness or less. It's not an emergency and your brakes should function as good as they did when new. However, you should make an appointment for replacement before that last bit of pad is gone and your brakes start to grind. This way you can schedule your appointment when it's convenient and avoid the misfortune of having your car in the shop on short notice.

How long should brakes last?

The answer to this question is: it depends. A really poor brake job may only last 20K miles and a really good brake job may last as much as 65K or 70K. But a lot depends on driving habits, how much time is spent on the highway, how much snow or salt they see, and the quality of the parts used.

The goal of any brake job should be to return it to “Factory condition” the rest is up to the driver.

Can I just replace brake pads and not rotors?

You can, but just replacing pads “will” affect brake pedal effort, stopping distance and can cause your new pads to squeak.  

At a minimum you need to resurface your rotors, and by the time you factor in rusted vents, the fact that your rotor will be much thinner than new and cost to resurface, it’s usually better and more equitable to just replace them.   

Do I need to replace all the brakes or can I fix just one?

You should always replace brakes in pairs. In other words both front or both rear. If you don’t it can cause your car to pull to the left or right while braking and if a panic stop occurs, it can feel very uncomfortable and make the car unstable.

Is a brake fluid flush really necessary?

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air over time. This can cause corrosion issues but the real problem is that when your brake fluid is saturated with moisture it will lower the boiling point of the fluid.  Not to get to scientific, but Brakes inertia and though friction turn that energy into heat. If your brake fluid gets hot enough it will turn into a vapor and displace the fluid with a compressible gas.

OR more simple, if your brake fluid boils, you won’t have any brakes at all. That’s not good. If you live in a relatively flat area it’s not a huge concern, but when you take that trip through the mountains with a 28ft camper on the back of your pickup truck, you may end up wishing you had done that $99 brake flush.