Brake Repairs in South Knighton

South Knighton is a small rural hamlet on country lanes in the Newton Abbot area. Little about the place needs saying, but lane driving does mean regular braking for bends and gateways.

Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby places such as Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell come to us for brakes, suspension and steering.

Wear builds slowly, and many drivers only notice when the brakes squeal or the steering feels a little vague. Catching it at that stage keeps the job simpler.

When should I book a brake check?

Book when you hear squealing or grinding, feel a soft pedal, or see a warning light. A yearly look at pads and discs is sensible even without symptoms.

If the pedal sinks or the car pulls hard, stop driving it.

Gateways, junctions with poor visibility and tractors coming the other way mean hard stops are never far off on lanes. A car that stops reliably is part of driving on them safely.

Tell us if the noise only appears when the brakes are cold in the morning or only after a long drive, as that helps narrow down whether the cause is surface rust, glazed pads or a sticking part.

How are worn pads and discs dealt with?

We lift the car, remove the wheels and measure. Worn parts are replaced, moving parts freed up or renewed, and check the braking balance.

Costs depend on the vehicle and what is found. Ask for a quote.

Wet lane grit works into the brakes and can wear pads and discs faster than you would expect, and mud can cause a caliper to stick.

• Pads and discs
• Callipers and hoses
• Brake fluid
• ABS checks

My ABS light is on. Is that a problem?

It means the system has noticed a fault. Sensors, wiring and bearings are the usual suspects.

Brakes normally still work but without anti-lock help. We use diagnostics to find the cause.

A lit light is not an emergency in itself, but if it is joined by a brake warning light or a soft pedal, stop driving the car and let us know.

What do clunks and a loose wheel mean?

Usually worn suspension or steering parts: drop links, bushes, ball joints or shock absorbers. Hits from potholes can bend or crack springs.

We repair suspension, springs, shock absorbers and wheel bearings, and steering and power steering faults, once we see what the vehicle needs.

Clunks that appear only when turning slowly, such as into a driveway, often come from steering or suspension joints, and a groan from the steering wheel can mean low fluid or a failing pump.

Uneven tyre wear is often the first visible sign, and replacing tyres without fixing the cause just repeats the problem.

Do you cover South Knighton?

Yes. Drivers from South Knighton and nearby Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell use Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

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

We are known for clutches, but Automaster is a one-stop garage for this sort of work, covering brakes, suspension, steering and more on petrol and diesel vehicles.