Brake Repair Doylestown, PA: 

One of the most important parts of your car, to ensure your safety — are properly functioning breaks. It is vital that your brake repair service center that does not cut corners to just get the job done.  Your life depends on it!

Your vehicle’s brakes are under constant stress and strain, so their care is extremely  important for the safety of you and your family. When it’s time for repair, you can trust the safety of your family to the licensed technicians at Fontaine and Sons for brake repair including; brake pad replacement, fluid leaks, emergency brake issues, anti-lock braking system (ABS) problems and all necessary parts and components. Due to the importance of a properly functioning brake system, attention to detail is paramount.

If you have ever partially lost your brakes, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your passengers. Additionally, it will also help save you money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for our brake repair services!

As an established brake service center, Fontaine and Sons take all brake repairs very seriously, your safety and well being are paramount.  As one of the top brake repair companies in Bucks County, Fontaine and Sons expertly maintains, repairs and services brakes.  

 With every brake repair service, all customers receive:

  • Careful inspection of drums, rotors, pads, shoes and all moving parts
  • Inspection of all cable lines and recommended fluids
  • Expert overview of brake condition and recommendations

 Along with the expertise provided, Fontaine and Sons is focused on rendering all brake repair and replacement services at the best possible cost to you. Call us today and don’t delay getting your brakes serviced!

Brake Line Repair Service Doylestown, PA: 

Fontaine and Sons brake line repair service is one of the best located right outside of Doylestown.  The brakes on your car operate hydraulically. This means that when the brake pedal is pressed, fluid is pushed through the brake lines to a brake caliper at each wheel. The fluid pressure causes the caliper to press the brake pads against the rotors, which slows the vehicle due to friction on the rotor. The harder the brake pedal is pressed, the higher the line pressure that causes the caliper to grip the rotor. When a metal brake line leaks or when a rubber brake line is cracked, swollen or leaking, the brake pedal feels spongy or sinks to the floor when pressed. 

Any time your brake pedal doesn’t feel like it used to, or if you notice fluid leaking by any of the wheels, get the brake system inspected. Any lines that have swelled, have been rubbed through, or are leaking should be replaced with high-quality parts. 

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Brake Line?

  • The vehicle doesn’t stop when you press the brakes
  • Spongy brake pedal
  • The brake pedal creeps to the floor when holding it with constant pressure
  • Fluid leaking at any of the wheels

If you have a spongy or sinking brake pedal, it is imperative to get the brake system checked to prevent unsafe driving conditions.  Contact the brake line experts and Fontaine and Sons to have your brake lines evaluated immediately!  These symptoms can lead to increased stopping distance and the brakes may not function well in a panic stop. This can easily lead to an accident.

Brake Pad Replacement Service Doylestown, PA:

Fontaine and Sons are leading experts in brake pad replacement in the Doylestown area.  Brake pads consist of friction material that is bonded to a sturdy steel backing plate. When you push on the brake pedal, the friction material on the brake pads is forced against the inner and outer surfaces of the steel brake rotor under tremendous pressure. The resulting friction causes the wheels on your car to slow rapidly allowing for a quick, safe and controlled stop. After thousands of miles, this friction material eventually wears away, and the brake rotor wears away as well, requiring replacement.

Here are several indications that you need new brake pads:

  • Wear indicator on vehicle dashboard: When the friction material on the brake pads is worn to within 2 mm of the pad backing plate, replacement of the pads is necessary. Most newer cars today have electronics built into the brake pad. When the pad is at a point that it needs to be replaced, a symbol will appear on your vehicle dashboard’s instrument cluster. Consult your owner’s manual to learn what the symbol looks like.

  • High pitched squeal when braking: When the friction material on the pads is worn close to the backing plate, you may hear a squealing or squeaking noise as you drive regardless of whether you are applying the brakes or not. That squealing or squeaking noise is designed to make you aware that the brake pads are getting low and need to be inspected. If all of the friction material on the brake pad has been worn away, you will hear grinding and scraping noises when you apply the brakes. Pad replacement is mandatory at this point and the vehicle is unsafe to drive until corrected.

  • Brake pedal pulsation or vehicle vibration: Over time, brake rotors may develop excessive thickness variation (>.001 inches), excessive runout on the wheel hub (> .002 inches), or the brake rotor may warp due to high operating temperatures. If these defects exist, you may notice pulsation in the brake pedal or steering wheel during braking. New pads and rotor resurfacing or replacement will be required if the rotor has any of the above-mentioned deficiencies.

  • Vehicle pulling or wandering on braking: If your car pulls to the right or left during braking, that could be a sign of a sticking brake caliper, misalignment of the suspension, and sometimes tire defects or uneven tire inflation from side-to-side. The mechanic who inspects your vehicle will determine if new brake pads alone will resolve the issue or if other repairs are needed.

  • High mileage on existing pads: Regardless of whether any of the above brake system symptoms occur, every 10,000 miles a mechanic should measure the thickness of the remaining friction material on the brake pads and perform a thorough visual inspection of the braking system.

  • Brake system warning lights and/or maintenance reminder messages: Should your brake system warning light ever illuminate, or a brake system related maintenance reminder message appears in the driver information display, have your vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

Brake System Components That Can Fail: 

The master cylinder, the heart of the vehicle’s braking system, holds the brake fluid when it is not being delivered to the brakes through the brake lines. If brake fluid leaks because the master cylinder is worn or brake lines are plugged or broken, the fluid cannot be delivered, and the brake pads will become ruined. 

The brake fluid itself can become dirty or contaminated as it draws rust-causing moisture and picks up other debris, or it can break down from excess heat. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown or even black. Old and dirty brake fluid can damage ABS brake systems internally.

The brake lines connect to the master cylinder through a combination valve, which combines a metering and proportioning valve. It regulates the pressure on the front and rear wheels to make sure both sets of brakes are applied simultaneously. A malfunctioning combination valve may cause the wheels to lock up. 

Brake pads and shoes can be made of ceramic, metal or organic materials, while the disc rotors and drums they press against are made of metal. Because the pads and shoes create friction to stop the car, they gradually wear down over time and may wear away completely, letting the metal of the calipers and cylinders they are attached to grind against the rotors and drums and damage them. Some pads have a metal strip attached that sounds a warning whistle when the pad becomes too worn, but this strip sounds only when the car is in motion and the brakes are not applied.