brakesandtires

Jeff Crawford
Crawford’s Auto Repair

Slows and/or stops the vehicle for safety
Converts kinetic energy into heat energy

by applying a friction material against a
rotating surface.

When going downhill, don’t ride your
brakes, this wears them out.

Brake quickly to reduce speed, then shift
to a lower gear.

When possible and if you can anticipate it,
shift to lower gears before approaching a
descending hill.

Master Cylinder
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

• Series of electrical and hydraulic components,
HCM and others

The parking brake is independent
of the other brakes

DISC BRAKES DRUM BRAKES

 Discs or Rotors  Drums
 Pads (Friction Material)  Shoes (Friction Material)
 Calipers  Wheel Cylinders

For credit you need to know how to check
the brake system. Download our ebook
and sign up for the intermediate classes.

Anyone is invited to do this (even if you’re
not a boy scout or taking a formal class).

http://crawfordsautoservice.com/crawfords-auto-repair-guide-free-ebook/

 Start under the hood.
 Check the brake master cylinder for leaks.
 Check the level and condition of the brake fluid.
 Inspect all lines and the anti-lock brake module for leaks or loose,

damaged connectors.
 Raise the vehicle and support it securely on a lift or jack stands

(review Chapter 1 in the ebook if needed)
 Remove all four wheels
 If the vehicle has drum brakes, then remove the drums.
 Inspect all brake lines and hoses for signs of leaking or cracking
 Inspect the caliper hardware and dust boots for damage
 Inspect the caliper (or wheel cylinders) for brake fluid leaking.
 Inspect the rotors for smoothness. If a rotor has any pits or grooves

then it will have to be reconditioned or replaced.
 Check the thickness of all the brake pads.

 If the friction material (pads or shoes) are 20% of original thickness
or less, then they should be replaced.

If the pads are 20% of original thickness or
less, then they should be replaced.

BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT + ROTOR REPLACEMENT

 $200  $260

Replace friction material before they wear down and the brakes are metal to
metal. It’s also safer.

This is a general rule for auto repair: maintain the vehicle and make timely
repairs to avoid additional costs later.

It helps to know a mechanic you can trust so that you know you’re saving
money and not spending more in repairs than you have to.

(Prices may vary per vehicle. Ads and coupons for cheaper brake jobs are
probably to get vehicles into the shop for additional repairs)



VEHICLE TIRE MANUFACTURER’S
MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
 On the tire itself
 Driver’s side door jamb and
owner’s manual

Use the level indicated in the door jamb
(Vehicle Manufacturer’s Specifications)

Camber, Caster and Toe

Generally with every oil change.
(Free at Crawford’s Auto)

Wear Bar

This tire still has good tread. When the height of the tread is the same as the
wear bar, it’s time to change the tire.
Also, in hot environments like Arizona, generally change tires within every 4
years. (may vary by tire, some are made to last longer)

Students and Boy Scouts, download the
ebook and sign up for intermediate
classes.

Our live classes include a tire change
demo in the shop or parking lot.

 Make sure the vehicle is on level ground (see Chapter 1 of ebook, Safety, proper lifting
points)

 Apply the parking brake
 Remove the spare tire and tools from the vehicle
 Use wheel chocks to block the wheels opposite of the wheel you’re changing (i.e. if you’re

changing a rear tire, then put the chocks in front of the front wheels).

• Wheel chocks are similar to triangle-shaped door stoppers. When chocks are included with the tire
changing kit, then they should be used. However, they are not present with every vehicle. Cases
where they’re not present may include vehicles with a rear parking brake and front wheel drive.
When changing a rear wheel in these vehicles the front wheel drive keeps the vehicle stable, and
when changing a front wheel in these vehicles the rear parking brake keeps the vehicle stable.

 Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle, but do not remove
 Pump or crank the jack to lift the vehicle using the proper lift points (see Chapter 1 of

ebook, Safety, proper lifting points)
 Remove the lug nuts
 Remove the flat tire
 Place the spare tire
 Replace the lug nuts snug
 Lower the vehicle
 Torque the lug nuts (tighten them as much as possible after the vehicle has been lowered)
 Replace the tools in the appropriate location for future use.
 Carry the flat full-size tire to the tire shop with you.

 Spare tires are not meant to be a replacement, only there to get you to a repair shop, must drive at slower
speeds.

Any time you purchase a tire, the tire shop
is responsible for charging a disposal fee
and disposing the old tire properly.

 Dealership-trained technicians
 Over 35 years of combined

experience
 We treat each vehicle as if it

belonged to our own mother
 High customer satisfaction (read

our reviews online)
 2014 Angie’s List Super Service

Award.
 No service writers! We never try to

sell unnecessary repairs.
 Free Quotes and a Price Match

Guarantee

www.CrawfordsAutoService.com