At our Doctor Benz workshop, we offer the following services:
1. Replacement of brake pads and discs.
A car’s braking system is designed to withstand heavy loads and operate in a variety of road conditions. The front and rear brake pads are responsible for effective deceleration, stability under braking and road safety. At our repair shop, we always check the condition of the braking mechanisms during every service. If the brake pads are worn, they need to be replaced.
The following symptoms indicate that replacement is necessary:
• Thinning. If the friction layer is critically worn, with a thickness of 1 millimetre or less, the brake pad loses its effectiveness and may damage the disc with its metal backing.
• Unusual noises when braking. A squeak, screech or metallic sound often indicates that the pads are worn to the limit or that dirt has got into the mechanism.
• Increased braking distance. If the car stops more slowly than usual, this may indicate a reduction in the pads’ coefficient of friction.
• Brake pedal vibration. In such cases, the disc is checked for runout to rule out deformation, and the calipers are also inspected.
• Uneven wear. When one pad wears down faster than the other, the cause may be a faulty caliper or problems with the guides.
• Electronic warnings. On models with wear sensors, the system may signal the need for brake servicing.
Premature wear of the brake pads can occur as a result of frequent off-road driving, aggressive braking, overloading the vehicle, or using poor-quality parts. If signs of a fault are ignored, there is an increased risk of damage to the brake discs, overheating of the brakes, and malfunction of the ABS; this may subsequently require more complex repairs to the braking system.
Steps for replacing brake pads:
• Initial diagnosis. The brake discs and mechanisms are inspected, and the remaining pad thickness and condition of the discs are checked.
• Removal of wheels and assemblies. The wheel is removed, the brake mechanism is released, and the movement of the guides is checked.
• Inspection of parts. The condition of the discs, dust caps, mountings and hydraulic connections is checked.
• Removal of old pads. Worn components are removed and the mounting surfaces are cleaned.
• Fitting of new parts. The mechanic fits pads that meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Assembly and adjustment. All components are fitted in the correct sequence, and the caliper piston travel and evenness of pressure are checked.
• Final testing. Specialists check the braking efficiency and the correct operation of the electronic systems.
Brake discs provide the necessary friction for reliable deceleration and stopping, prevent the system from overheating, and reduce the risk of wheel spin. The condition of the brake discs directly affects handling and road safety. Even high-quality, genuine brake system components wear out over time. Furthermore, problems can arise during the vehicle’s operation — such as cracks, foreign objects entering the mechanisms, or deformation of the discs.
You can tell if they are faulty or worn by the following signs:
• When braking, you hear a loud squeal, a grinding noise, or an unusual sound, or you feel severe vibration.
• The brake pedal sinks when pressed, and you feel less in control of the car.
• There is a noticeable wobble when turning the steering wheel.
• The braking distance increases; the car is reluctant to slow down.
• A burning smell is noticeable when braking, particularly when the brake pedal is pressed all the way down.
These symptoms may also be caused by other faults, including a brake fluid leak or a fault with the master cylinder. It is no longer safe to drive the car in this situation, so you should contact an authorised service centre as soon as possible for repairs and diagnostics.
The specialists at Doctor Benz carry out a visual inspection of the brake discs to check for deep grooves and cracks, and then measure their thickness and runout. If the thickness is below and the runout is above the permitted limits, the brake discs must be replaced.
Replacing the front brake discs on a car is carried out in several stages:
• Removal of the worn brake disc. The wheels and calipers are removed from the car whilst it is on the lift, after which the discs are taken out of their mountings.
• Inspection of the calipers. If any parts are worn, or if the calipers themselves are severely damaged, they must also be replaced.
• Preparation for brake disc installation. This includes inspecting, cleaning and lubricating the hub.
• Installation of the new disc. The components are fitted into the prepared mounting points, after which the calipers and wheels are refitted.
The rear axle components of the vehicle are replaced in the same order with the handbrake disengaged. Once the new parts have been fitted, the suspension and braking systems must be checked to ensure that all components are functioning smoothly and in unison.
2. Caliper repairs.
Calipers hold the brake pads at a sufficient distance from the discs whilst the vehicle is moving, and when the vehicle stops, they press them against the discs, ensuring the required braking force. However, high humidity, exposure to aggressive chemicals from the road surface and excessive strain on the brakes can lead to wear and tear, mechanical failure and the need for urgent repairs.
The following signs may indicate that the brake calipers need repairing:
• brake fluid leaks;
• uneven vehicle movement, pulling towards the faulty caliper;
• poor braking performance due to the brake pads not making proper contact with the disc;
• slow acceleration, the car slowing down when the pedal is released;
• knocks, vibration, or unusual noises when braking;
• uneven wear of the brake pads.
Driving with faulty calipers leads to increased wear on the brake pads, and there is a risk of warped discs, brake lock-up and even loss of control of the vehicle.
The work involves several stages:
• кemoval and dismantling of the brake mechanism;
• сleaning the caliper — removing dirt and rust, cleaning the channels;
• replacement of worn or faulty components — pistons, shut-off valves, fittings;
• reassembly and refitting of the caliper;
• checking the operation of the braking system and braking efficiency.
The specialists at Doctor Benz carry out maintenance and repairs on brake calipers in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Diagnosis and repair of the parking brake.
A fully functional parking brake ensures safety when stationary, preventing the vehicle from rolling on any gradient. Regular checks help to identify wear and tear on the parking brake system components at an early stage.
Signs that the handbrake needs checking:
• Insufficient hold on a slope.
• Unusual noises when the mechanism is engaged.
• Increased lever travel indicates that the handbrake needs adjusting.
• Uneven wheel hold requires adjustment of the brake force distribution.
• a failure to lock indicates serious problems with the parking brake system.
A professional diagnosis of the braking system at Doctor Benz begins with a visual inspection of the components. A Doctor Benz technician thoroughly checks every part of the system. The cable, like other parts, is replaced if any mechanical damage is found. The technician checks the condition of all mountings and connections. Particular attention is paid to the operation of the hydraulic components. The cleanliness of the brake lines determines the reliability of the safety system.
Repairing the handbrake involves several stages:
• Inspecting the components of the drive mechanism allows the extent of wear to be determined.
• Checking the condition of the brake pads determines whether they need replacing.
• Adjusting the drive ensures that the brake mechanisms operate in sync.
• Testing the hydraulics after replacing the brake fluid confirms that there are no leaks.
Final tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the repair work carried out.
The use of specialised equipment and professional tools guarantees high-quality work.
4. Changing the brake fluid.
Brake fluid plays a vital role in transmitting force from the brake pedal to the hydraulic circuit of the brake system, whilst also acting as a lubricant and providing corrosion protection for the working components and parts of the brake mechanism. If braking performance deteriorates, the brake fluid must be replaced immediately, as continuing to use the vehicle is dangerous.
The brake fluid replacement process involves several stages:
• mandatory preliminary diagnosis using a specialised tester;
• carrying out a complete replacement without mixing the new fluid with the original fluid that has lost its properties;
• using original brake fluids.
5. Replacing the ABS unit.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up completely during braking, thereby reducing the risk of skidding and giving the driver greater confidence in difficult road conditions. A fault in the system can lead to the entire safety system malfunctioning; the car becomes less stable on the road and is harder to control.
If an ABS fault is detected, you must contact a service centre for diagnosis and repair.
The following symptoms may indicate a fault:
• The ABS warning light on the dashboard remains lit and does not go out even after restarting the engine.
• The ABS warning light comes on and does not go out when a certain speed is reached.
• The brake pedal jerks when pressed.
• There is a strong vibration in the front of the car.
• The car brakes with a noticeable skid to one side.
To identify faults in the ABS system, the specialists at Doctor Benz carry out a full diagnostic check and pinpoint any components that are not functioning correctly.
The repair is carried out in several stages:
• Preparation.
• Partial disassembly to gain access to the connectors.
• Removal and replacement of the ABS unit. A technician removes the faulty component and installs a new one or carries out repairs.
• Testing. A full diagnostic check of the anti-lock braking system is carried out. Specialised equipment is connected for this purpose.
• Reassembly.
Price Table
| Service | Price, from |
|---|---|
| Front pads replacement | €50 |
| Brake disc replacement | €60 |
| Brake caliper replacement | €60 |
| Brake fluid replacement | €50 |