Brake Repairs in Kingston

Anyone who drives out of Kingston knows how the lanes behave. They are narrow, the hedges are high, and a tractor, a delivery van or a line of holiday cars can appear round a bend with very little warning. In those conditions you need brakes that bite evenly and a car that steers where you point it.

At Automaster, our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, we repair brakes, suspension and steering on petrol and diesel cars and vans. Drivers from Kingston and the surrounding South Hams countryside bring vehicles to us when something starts to feel wrong.

Why do my brakes squeal or grind when I come down a Kingston lane?

A high-pitched squeal is often the wear indicator on a pad telling you the friction material is getting low, though glazed pads or dust can cause noise too. A deeper grinding sound usually means the pad has gone completely and metal is working against the disc, which damages the disc quickly.

Short, stop-start journeys on country lanes can wear pads unevenly, and a sticking caliper or a seized slider pin will make one side wear far faster than the other. We inspect the whole braking system rather than only the part that is making the noise.

• Squealing or grinding when braking
• Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel
• The car pulling to one side under braking
• A pedal that feels soft, low or spongy

What does a brake repair involve?

Brake pads and discs are normally replaced as a set on each axle, because new pads on a worn or warped disc will not bed in properly. We also look at the calipers, brake hoses and brake fluid condition, since old fluid and perished flexible hoses affect how the pedal feels.

The time and cost depend on the make and model, whether the discs are vented, how corroded the fittings are, and whether the handbrake or rear drums are involved. The most accurate route is to ask for a quote with your registration.

What does the ABS warning light mean?

An ABS light usually points to a fault with a wheel speed sensor, its wiring or the ABS module, and often a worn wheel bearing or a damaged tone ring is behind it. Your normal brakes usually still work, but the anti-lock safety function may not, which matters on a wet or muddy lane.

We use diagnostic equipment to read the fault codes and then confirm the cause by inspection, so you are not paying to replace parts by guesswork.

Could clunks and heavy steering be linked to the brakes?

Not directly, but suspension and steering wear shows up on the same roads. Clunks over bumps can come from worn drop links, bushes, top mounts or a tired shock absorber. Humming that changes as you turn is a classic sign of a wheel bearing. Heavy or loose steering can point to a power steering fault, worn track rod ends or a leak.

Uneven tyre wear is the clue many drivers miss. If the inside edge of a tyre is wearing quickly, tell us, as it can mean worn suspension parts or poor alignment.

• Clunks over bumps or potholes
• Humming from a wheel that changes with speed
• Heavy, vague or loose steering
• Tyres wearing unevenly

Do you cover Kingston and where do I bring the car?

Yes. We welcome drivers from Kingston, and from Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge. The garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

If you are not sure whether your car is safe to drive in, describe the symptoms when you ask for a quote and we will tell you what we recommend. Busy holiday periods bring plenty of visitors onto the lanes around Kingston, so it is sensible to deal with brake noise before it turns into something worse.