Brake Repairs in Deancombe

Deancombe is a small rural hamlet in the South Devon countryside, reached by narrow lanes. Lane driving means tight bends, sudden stops for oncoming traffic and rough surfaces, and all of that loads the brakes, suspension and steering in ways that town driving does not.

Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby towns such as Buckfastleigh, Holne, South Brent and Dartington come to us. If a brake, suspension or steering fault has started to show, this page explains what we look for.

What do narrow lanes do to brakes and suspension?

Constant slowing for bends and gateways wears pads in a different pattern from long open roads, and bumps and potholes shake the suspension hard. Over time that can leave springs weak, dampers tired and rubber bushes cracked.

The result is often a car that clunks, bounces or never feels settled when you brake. Low-mileage cars used for short rural trips are not immune, because pads and discs can corrode when a car sits between journeys.

Which symptoms should I act on?

Squealing or grinding when you brake, a pedal that feels low or soft, a pull to one side and vibration through the pedal or wheel are all reasons to book an inspection. So are an ABS warning light, humming that rises with speed, and steering that feels heavy or loose.

A car used for short local runs can hide a problem until a longer drive shows it up, so do not wait for it to get worse.

Automaster can work from your description of the road conditions, so say whether it is mostly lanes, hills or short hops.

• Grinding or squealing under braking
• Pulling to one side
• Clunks over bumps
• Heavy or loose steering

What is involved in a brake and suspension repair?

We inspect pads, discs, callipers, hoses, springs, shock absorbers, wheel bearings and steering parts, then work out what needs replacing. Brake parts are renewed in pairs across an axle so the car stops evenly, and a seized calliper or tired damper is dealt with at the same time where it applies.

Time and cost depend on the make and model, how much wear there is and whether other parts have been damaged by it, which is why we ask you to request a quote with the symptoms described.

Is it safe to drive on lanes with a brake fault?

No. Lanes demand reliable stopping, and a weak pedal or brakes that pull to one side can turn dangerous quickly when something comes round a bend. If the brakes feel wrong, stop using the car for journeys and contact us.

The same applies to steering that feels loose or vague, and to an overheating smell from a wheel after braking.

Where is the garage, and do you cover Deancombe?

We are Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we look after drivers from Deancombe and the countryside around it. Nearby towns including Buckfastleigh and South Brent are among the places people come from.

Give us your registration and a description of the fault when you ask for a quote, and mention which road conditions bring the noise or feel on.