Brake Repairs in Bigbury

Bigbury is busy for much of the year, and in summer the narrow lanes towards Bigbury-on-Sea fill with visitors, caravans and delivery vehicles. That means plenty of slow queues, sudden stops and tight squeezes into passing places.

Automaster is an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We carry out brake, suspension and steering repairs on petrol and diesel vehicles, and we see drivers from Bigbury and the villages around it.

Are my brakes up to the stop-start traffic near Burgh Island?

Queuing on a gradient and then braking hard for a gap in the lane wears pads, discs and fluid faster than steady driving. Heat builds in the system, and if brake fluid has absorbed moisture over time, the pedal can start to feel soft after repeated stops.

Common signs of trouble are squealing, a juddering pedal, a pull to one side and a smell of hot friction material after a short descent. If you notice any of these, book the car in before the busy weeks arrive.

• Squeal or grind from the wheels
• Pedal that sinks or feels spongy
• Burning smell after braking
• Car drifting to one side when you brake

What is involved in changing brake pads and discs?

We remove the wheels, inspect pads, discs, calipers, slider pins and hoses, and measure the discs against the minimum thickness. Pads and discs are usually replaced together on the same axle. Seized sliders are cleaned or renewed so the new pads wear evenly.

Several things affect what the work costs: the type of vehicle, whether the discs are solid or ventilated, whether the rear brakes use drums, and how rusted the hardware has become near the coast. Salt air is hard on brake components, so it is worth asking us to check for corrosion.

Why is my ABS light on and can you fix it?

The ABS light normally means the system has logged a fault, frequently from a wheel speed sensor, damaged wiring or a wheel bearing with too much play. We read the codes first and then check the component physically, because the code alone only points to an area.

Whether a repair is possible depends on what the inspection finds.

What about suspension and steering for lane driving?

Potholes and rough verges take a toll on shock absorbers, springs, bushes and track rod ends. A bouncy ride, a nose that dives under braking, knocking over bumps or a steering wheel that is off-centre all justify a check.

Wheel bearings tend to announce themselves as a hum or growl that rises with speed. Power steering faults show as heavy steering, whining when you turn, or fluid on the ground. We deal with each of these and can advise whether alignment is worth checking afterwards.

• Bouncing or nose-dive on braking
• Growl or hum from a wheel
• Whine when turning the wheel
• Fluid marks under the car

Do you work on cars from Bigbury, and where are you?

Yes, we are happy to look after vehicles from Bigbury, as well as from Ringmore, Kingston, Bantham and Thurlestone. You will find us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

Not every visitor-season problem needs a long job. Often a quick inspection settles whether pads, a hose or a bearing is the issue, so describe what you are noticing when you ask for a quote.