Brake Repairs in Salcombe

Salcombe is an estuary resort of boats, sailing and steep, narrow streets, and parking is tight. Cars here do plenty of hill starts, slow crawls and hard stops, with heavy holiday traffic in the busy months.

We are Automaster, based at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we repair brakes, suspension and steering on petrol and diesel vehicles. Drivers from Salcombe bring their cars to us when the signs start to appear.

Why do brakes work harder in a town as steep as Salcombe?

Going down a steep, narrow street with a car behind you means braking firmly, often with the handbrake used to hold on a slope. That puts heat and wear into pads, discs and the handbrake mechanism, and the steering is turned to full lock repeatedly when you tuck into a tight space.

Over time you may notice squealing, longer stopping distance or a handbrake that needs more lever travel.

• Handbrake travelling further than before
• Squeal on gentle stops
• Longer stopping distances
• Smell of hot brakes after a descent

What does a full brake service involve?

We check pads, discs, calipers, brake hoses, pipes and fluid, and report back on what is worn and what is not. If we replace pads and discs, we make sure the hardware moves freely so wear is even.

Time and cost depend on the vehicle and the access to the components, so ask for a quote with your registration.

Could the ABS light or a pulling brake mean something else is wrong?

Sometimes. A wheel speed sensor fault, a damaged ring or a worn bearing can set off the ABS light. A car that pulls to one side may have a sticking caliper, a collapsed hose or uneven tyre pressure, all of which have different fixes.

This is why diagnosis matters. We trace the cause rather than swapping parts and hoping.

What suspension and steering problems come from tight streets?

Mounting kerbs and scraping across uneven surfaces knocks suspension geometry, bends track rod ends and damages tyres. A steering wheel that sits off-centre, a pull on a straight road or a clunk when turning at low speed all point to wear or damage.

Power steering that groans at full lock may be low on fluid or showing pump wear. We check these and explain what we find.

• Steering wheel off-centre
• Clunk when turning slowly
• Groaning at full lock
• Tyre wear on one edge

Do you cover Salcombe and where is the garage?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL, and welcome drivers from Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Thurlestone, Loddiswell and Bantham.

If you want to know whether a noise is serious, describe it when you ask for a quote and we will tell you what to do.