Brake Repairs in Pear Tree

Pear Tree is a small rural hamlet in South Devon reached by narrow country lanes. Drivers from there and from Totnes, Dartington, Paignton and Churston come to us for the work that keeps a car stopping and steering straight.

Below we describe the common symptoms, what the work involves and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

Our focus is practical diagnosis: finding the actual cause of the noise or fault rather than swapping parts and hoping.

What are the signs my brakes are wearing out?

Squealing, grinding, a longer pedal, a pull to one side and vibration are classic signs. The ABS or brake warning light is another.

If the car feels unsafe to stop, do not drive it.

In South Devon, summer visitor traffic and holiday queues on the roads towards the coast can mean more stop-start driving than usual, which adds wear to brakes.

What happens during pad and disc replacement?

Wheels off, parts measured, worn pads and discs replaced, calipers and hoses checked, and the car tested for even braking.

What it costs depends on the vehicle and the wear. Ask for a quote.

Pads are fitted in axle sets, so both wheels on an axle are done together. That keeps the car stopping in a straight line.

• Pads
• Discs
• Calipers
• Fluid

How do you find an ABS fault?

We read the stored codes with diagnostic equipment and check sensors, wiring and bearings.

The cause drives the cost, so we explain it first.

A faulty wheel sensor, a cracked tone ring or a damaged wire is a common cause, but we do not guess. Intermittent lights are harder to trace, so tell us when it happens.

Why does my car clunk or wander?

Worn suspension joints, bushes, shock absorbers or springs cause clunks. Loose steering joints or a power steering issue cause wander or heaviness.

We repair these items once we have inspected the car. A worn track rod end, a tired bush or a leaking shock absorber can each cause a different symptom, so describing exactly when it happens, for example only on right-hand bends or only over rough ground, is a real help.

Wear builds slowly, and you may not notice until you drive another car. A new squeak when you go over a speed hump is a typical early sign.

Uneven tyre wear, a steering wheel that is off-centre when driving straight, and a car that pulls are all things we can look into.

Do you cover Pear Tree and nearby places?

Yes. Drivers from Pear Tree, Totnes, Dartington, Paignton and Churston use Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

Tell us the vehicle and symptoms when you ask for a quote.

Automaster can repair brakes, suspension and steering on petrol and diesel cars and vans.

If you drive in from the Torbay side, from Paignton or Churston, or from Totnes and Dartington, the quote process is the same. Just tell us the vehicle and the symptom.