1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
The Nice Difference® Warranty on Brake Service
Most automotive warranties expire at the earlier of two limits. The Nice Difference® Warranty works the opposite way: it expires at the later of 3 years or 36,000 miles. Coverage includes defects in new parts and improper installation, applies to parts and labor, and is automatically included with qualifying brake repairs at no additional cost to you. It’s honored at any Christian Brothers Automotive location nationwide, so you’re covered wherever you travel.
Brake Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Brake problems usually announce themselves before they become dangerous. These are the symptoms worth taking seriously:
- Squealing when you brake typically means worn pads have reached their metal wear indicator
- Grinding during braking means pad material is gone and metal is contacting the rotor
- Vibration or pulsation through the pedal or steering wheel often points to warped rotors
- A soft or spongy pedal can indicate air in the hydraulic system or a brake fluid leak
- Pulling to one side when braking may signal a stuck caliper, uneven pad wear, or a compromised brake hose
- An illuminated brake warning light warrants prompt inspection
- Increased stopping distance or noticeably more pedal effort are signs of degraded braking performance
How Your Brake System Works
Most vehicles use disc brakes on the front axle and drum brakes on the rear, though many newer vehicles run disc brakes on all four wheels. In a disc brake system, a caliper clamps brake pads against a spinning rotor to create the friction that slows the wheel. Drum brakes work differently: curved brake shoes press outward against the inside of a drum. Both systems rely on hydraulic pressure, transferred through brake fluid, to convert pedal force into stopping power.
Each component has a wear life. Brake pad thickness is the primary indicator for disc brakes; most pads include a metal wear tab that produces a squealing noise when minimum thickness is reached. Rotors can be resurfaced if grooves fall within manufacturer tolerances, but rotors below the minimum thickness specification need to be replaced. Brake fluid degrades as it absorbs moisture, lowering its boiling point and reducing hydraulic effectiveness over time.
Most technicians recommend a brake inspection every 12,000 miles or at each oil change. Catching wear early can keep a pad replacement from turning into a rotor replacement, and it can help keep your anti-lock brake system (ABS) and the rest of the hydraulic brake system functioning as designed.
Schedule Brake Service at Christian Brothers Automotive Arlington
Free visual brake inspections are available on most vehicles, and online scheduling makes it easy to pick a time that works for your day. Our complimentary shuttle is available at drop-off if you can’t wait on-site. Call (817) 623-5662 or schedule online to get started.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "Why is my ABS light on?"There are several reasons your vehicles anti-lock brake system light might be on. The four common reasons that typically cause this light to turn on include a malfunctioning ABS module, low levels in the fluid reservoir, broken wheel speed sensors, or the system is turned off. Learn more here.
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Q. "How long will my brake pads last?"There is no perfect answer to this. Brake pads can last up to 70,000 miles while others will need to be replaced as early as 25,000 miles. The type of vehicle you drive, how you use your vehicle and your driving style are all factors to consider. If you are interested in learning more about brake pad wear and how to extend its lifespan click here.
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Q. "When do I need to change my brake fluid?"Along with the type of brake fluid, your car’s owner manual will indicate how often you need your brake fluid flushed and replaced. In general, brake fluids flushes are recommended every 30,000 miles or two years. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"Great service ,very courteous and caring family. Norman, Le Ann it was great meeting you and I'm looking forward to working with you again. Let's not forget Jason very understanding when I went to the wrong garage. They all made me feel like family. Thank "
- James Beaucham