Brake Pads and Discs in Tyne and Wear

Your brakes work by clamping pads onto spinning discs. That friction slows the car and turns your speed into heat, so both parts wear down over time. How quickly depends on how you drive, the loads you carry and how much of your driving is stop-start town traffic.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we fit brake pads and brake discs for drivers across Tyne and Wear. If your brakes feel wrong, do not carry on regardless. Brakes are not a part to put off.

Signs your pads or discs need attention

Squealing is often the wear indicator on the pad telling you the material is getting low. Grinding is more serious and usually means the pad is worn through and metal is biting into the disc.

If the car pulls to one side under braking, the pedal pulsates, or you need more distance to stop, get it checked promptly. A red brake warning light, a soft or sinking pedal, or any sudden loss of braking is a reason to stop driving and have the car inspected before it goes anywhere else.

• High-pitched squeal when braking
• Grinding or scraping noise
• Steering wheel shake or pedal pulsing under braking
• Car pulling to one side
• Brake warning light or a pad wear light on the dash

What the job involves

The wheels come off so the calipers, pads and discs can be examined. Pads are normally replaced in sets across an axle, and discs are replaced in pairs on the same axle so braking stays even.

We check the caliper slides and pistons, the rubber boots, brake hoses and fluid condition while the parts are accessible. Mating surfaces are cleaned and fitted correctly, then wheels refitted and torqued. New pads need a short period of gentle use to bed in, and we will tell you how to treat them.

What affects the outcome and the cost

The make and model matter, since some cars use electronic parking brake motors or wear sensors that need resetting. Part quality varies, so ask what is being fitted.

Seized caliper pins, a sticking piston, a leaking hose or heavily corroded discs can add work. Discs worn beyond their minimum thickness have to be replaced rather than reused, and the discs can often show wear that pads alone do not, so inspection comes first. We explain what we find at the estimate.

Alternatives and what to expect

Replacing pads alone is sometimes possible if the discs are in good order, but only inspection can tell us. New pads on badly scored discs tend to give poor results.

After the work, expect a firm, consistent pedal. If anything feels different, tell us.