Services | Dunsmuir Super Service

Brake Repair

Brakes are, without question, the most important safety feature of a vehicle and you depend on them each and every time you get behind the wheel. The last thing you want to worry about is whether your brakes are functioning properly or not. Fully functional breaks are crucial to the safety of your and your passengers and to other drivers on the road, and at Dunsmuir Super Service, we have the knowledge and expertise to get you back on the road quickly and safely with our brake repair, maintenance, service, and inspection.

Car and automobile brakes are precisely engineered and designed to convert kinetic energy (movement) into thermal energy; when you press down on the brakes, a pressurized system of hydraulic brake lines leading to each of the wheels causes the brake pad to clamp down on the spinning rotor, creating the necessary friction to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Over time, this friction and the heat it produces can wear down the brake pads, brake shoes, calipers, brake rotors, and other components of the brake. While the brake components of each car can vary, the warning signs of impending brake repairs are virtually the same.

Signs it’s time to get a brake repair

On average, you should get your brakes checked every 12 months or 24,000 kilometers. Some common signs it’s time to service your brakes are:

Squeaking or squealing coming from the brakes
Grinding sound when braking
Vibrations while braking
Taking longer to stop than usual
Brake pad indicator lights come on
The brake pads appear to be thin

Other signs that it’s time to have your brakes serviced is noticing the car pulling to one side when braking, due to worn brakes, malfunctioning calipers, or low brake fluid in the brake lines. If your brake pedal pushes down too easily-sometime referred to as “spongy brakes”-this may indicate there is too much air in the hydraulic brake lines.

All of these can be warning signs that it’s time to get a brake repair and you should have your brakes inspected and repaired immediately by a trained professional.

Benefits of getting a brake repair

Save money on repairs later on
Increased life-span of the brakes
Safety and peace of mind

The trained staff at Dunsmuir Super Service are experts in servicing front and rear brake systems and all accompanying brake components such as brake pads, brake shoes, brake linings, rotors, drums, emergency/parking brakes, wheel and master cylinders, antilock brake systems, and hydraulic systems. If you’re noticing any symptoms of tired, worn-out brakes, or it’s been over a year since you last had your brakes inspected, trust the quality service at Dunsmuir Super Service and give us a call.

Drivetrains

As a trusted Victoria automotive mechanic, Dunsmuir Super Service, offers solutions to fix drivetrains in all cars, trucks and other vehicles. Whether you need a clutch replacement, a transmission fixed, or routine service, we do drivetrains right so you can get back on the road.

What are Drivetrains?

The drivetrain connects the engine that produces the power to the steering wheel that controls the power to rotate the wheel axles. This connection is a physical link between the two components. Depending on the design of the vehicle, these components can be on opposite ends and so require a long propeller shaft.

The operating speed of both the vehicle’s engine and the wheels are usually different and therefore must be matched by the correct gear ratio. For example, as the vehicle speed increases or decreases, the ideal engine speed must remain approximately constant for efficient operations and therefore the gearbox ratio must also remain constant for maximum efficient operations to occur. For this to happen, the gearbox ratio may be either manually or automatically changed, depending on the style of drivetrain.

There are several major parts of the drivetrain which are the transmission, differential, axels, and drive shaft. The transmission and differential are what are known as ‘boxes of gears”. These provide the mechanical advantage and a change in the direction of kinetic energy to move the vehicle. The transmission is the first part to receive the kinetic energy from the crankshaft of the engine. It uses different gears to provide mechanical advantage for when the driver wants the vehicle to speed up or slow down. The driver changes dears to access this mechanical advantage for control.

Types of Drivetrains

Front-wheel drive: This is the most common type of drivetrain. It is when the engine power flows to the front wheel so the driver can control the vehicle.

Rear-wheel drive: While not as common, the engine power flows to the two rear wheels to drive the vehicle. Heavy trucks usually require rear-wheel to distribute heavy loads. The transmission may be directly behind the engine or combine with the rear axle.

Four-wheel drive: The vehicle’s power flows to all four wheels for maximum control and versatility. Usually a transfer case splits the power from front to the rear. This type of drivetrain is perfect for off-roading and other all-terrain activities.

Signs of A Failing Drivetrain

If you see any visible signs of damage or fluid leak from the drivetrain or adjacent parts, immediately visit an automotive mechanic immediately for repair.

Another thing you should watch out for is any vibrations or shuddering while driving. You should be careful when on the highway, driving at high speeds, or accelerating. Lastly, you may encounter a strong burning oil smell which can also indicate there is something wrong with the drivetrain.

Do you still have questions, or want to go further down the drivetrain knowledge trail? Here’s a great article about all the different types that are out there nowadays.

If you encounter any of these problems give us a call at Dunsmuir Super Service and we will fix your vehicle so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.

Engine Tune Ups

There is a lot of confusion about how often a vehicle’s engine should be tuned up. Car owners often do not understand how often a car should be serviced and also what service is required. We can do warrantee approved services, update the vehicle records, in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.