Brake Repairs in Holne

Holne is a Dartmoor village of narrow lanes, moorland roads, steep hills and cattle grids on the edge of the National Park. Few places ask more of a car's brakes, suspension and steering, and wear tends to show up as noises, vibration or a car that no longer feels planted.

We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Below is how we deal with brake, suspension and steering faults on petrol and diesel cars, and what to tell us when you want a quote.

Do steep moorland hills affect brake life?

Yes. Repeated downhill braking heats pads and discs, and heat shortens their life and can cause fade, where the pedal gets weaker the longer you use it. Other signs are a hot smell after a descent and a pulsing pedal as discs distort.

Using a lower gear helps on long descents, but it cannot cure worn parts. If you notice any of these signs, have the car looked at before the next hill.

On a steep lane, the difference between a healthy brake and a tired one is easy to feel through the pedal, so trust that feeling.

• Fading pedal on descents
• Hot or burning smell
• Pulsing pedal
• Squealing pads

What do cattle grids and moorland surfaces do to a car?

Crossing grids and rough surfaces sends sharp shocks through the wheels, springs, dampers and bearings. Over time you may hear clunks, feel the car bouncing, or notice tyres wearing unevenly on one edge.

Humming that rises with speed can mean a wheel bearing, and loose or heavy steering needs checking before it gets worse, because it affects control on twisting lanes.

What happens during a brake and suspension repair?

We inspect the brakes first, with the wheels off, then suspension and steering as the symptoms suggest. Pads and discs are renewed on both sides of an axle, and seized callipers, worn hoses, tired shock absorbers or broken springs are added to the quote.

Cost depends on the vehicle, the parts and how much wear has built up, so please ask for a quote rather than expecting a standard figure.

Automaster can look at brakes, dampers and bearings in the same visit, which suits a car that has had a hard life on the moor roads. Wheel alignment and tyre wear are also worth mentioning, since steep, rough roads often leave them out of line.

Should I keep driving with a brake or ABS warning?

Not if the brakes feel wrong. A soft pedal or a pull to one side is a safety problem, and with an ABS light the anti-lock protection may be switched off. On steep, narrow roads that matters even more.

Contact us, describe the symptom and we will advise on what to do next.

Can drivers from Holne bring their car to you?

Yes. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Holne, Buckfastleigh, Buckfast, Dartington and South Brent use us. Ask for a quote and tell us what the car is doing.

The make, model and registration help us prepare, as does knowing whether the problem appears on hills, on rough ground or all the time.