Brake Service and Replacement

BRAKES

BRAKE REPLACEMENT

Your brakes are one of the hardest working parts of your vehicle and is made up of many different components. Each brake part plays a unique role and can affect the braking system differently.

Certified Service makes it easy for you to keep on top of routine maintenance for your vehicle by providing convenient booking options and competitive prices on brakes and rotors.

30-DAY PRICE MATCH ON BRAKES

If you purchase aftermarket brake pads or rotors from your Certified Service dealer and later find a better price on a similar brand within 30 days of the purchase, we’ll refund the difference.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BRAKES

Brakes are a crucial component of any vehicle. Their purpose is to stop the vehicle by turning the motion of the rotating wheels into friction and heat. This action and conversion of energy is what stops the vehicle.

Brakes

There are two types of brakes; Drum & Disc. Drum brakes get their name because of the drum-shaped cover onto which the brake shoes apply a force to stop the vehicle. Drum brakes were the first type of brakes to be introduced for automotive applications. Early versions of drum brakes were actuated by a physical cable from the brake pedal to the drum itself.

However, once rubber seals were invented, the brake disc was also invented. When you apply pressure on the brake pedal, brake fluid flows to the brake caliper which clamps down on a brake disc thus turning motion into friction. Brake discs are relatively simpler in operation than brake drums and are more efficient at dissipating heat therefore they quickly became more popular than drum brakes.

Discs

Brake discs are not quite as simple as most would think. The majority of vehicles are equipped with steel, one-piece brake discs. These are inexpensive to manufacture and provide enough braking force for most situations. However, in racing situations, one-piece steel brake discs are usually not enough. This is due to the fact that the brake disc goes through a lot of heat cycles where the disc expands and contracts. This expansion requires space to occur but because the disc is made up of one piece, it cannot expand as much as it needs to so it warps. This warpage causes the brake pads to push back on the piston inside the caliper and in turn, pushes back on the brake pedal through the fluid connection. This is why once a disc is warped you have to apply more brake pressure to compensate for the extra amount of space between the brake pad and disc. This is also what causes the brake pedal pulsation that you may feel when applying the brakes.

To get around this problem, some auto manufacturers utilize two-piece rotors made out of steel with an aluminum central “hat” or carbon-ceramic with an aluminum central “hat”. The “hat” is the piece in a two-piece rotor that connects the wheel hub to the brake disc. This two-piece design allows for the steel or carbon-ceramic disc to expand under high heat situations without warping. Normally these types of brake discs are used only on high-performance vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette and are more expensive to manufacture.

Brake Pads

Like most other brake components, there are two types of brake pads as well. Adherent and abrasive pads are what auto manufacturers primarily choose to use on their vehicles. Adherent pads are worn down or “eaten away” by the brake disc. They are usually less expensive than abrasive pads and produce less noise and dust. Abrasive pads are made up of materials that tend to wear down or “eat away” at the brake disc. These types of pads are generally found on many European and performance vehicles where quick stopping performance is required. They are more prone to noise and dust and also require a brake disc replacement when the vehicle is getting a brake service.

 Brake Fluids

There are 4 types of brake fluids to choose from and are categorized as DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1. Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that is made up of primarily Glycol Ether or Silicone in the case of DOT 5 fluid. The different ratings refer to the temperatures they can endure before they reach their boiling points. DOT 3 has the lowest boiling point at just 205℃ whereas DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 can withstand temperatures up to 260℃. The majority of vehicles use DOT 4 while performance vehicles use DOT 5.1. DOT 5 fluid is much more uncommon than the others and this is because it cannot be mixed with any of the other fluids. However it does have the advantage that it is considered a hydrophobic liquid, that is, it does not absorb water which can significantly lower the boiling point.

Unfortunately to most, brakes are often overlooked when it comes to proper maintenance. They are considered by many as the most important components of a vehicle because they are a safety feature.

TYPES OF BRAKES

GM Genuine Parts are the best option for GM vehicles. It’s the exact same brake pads and rotors that came with your vehicle, designed and engineered to provide optimal performance. Most GM Genuine Parts rotors have an exclusively developed coating, protecting them against water, salt, and even acid rain.

*Limitations apply. See GM Dealer Replacement Parts Warranty Quick Reference Chart for details.

Designed to meet the required fit and function on GM vehicles, ACDelco® Gold is a high-quality alternative to GM Genuine Parts*. The ACDelco® Gold includes COOL SHIELD™ coating for enhanced durability that remains cleaner longer than non-coated rotors.

Available for most makes and models and includes a 24-month / 40,000 km warranty, whichever comes first*.

*Limitations apply. See GM Dealer Replacement Parts Warranty Quick Reference Chart for details.

As a value option, ACDelco® Silver delivers on quality and is designed to meet the required fit and function on many GM vehicles*. Comes with a 12-month / 20,000 km warranty coverage, whichever comes first*. *Limitations apply. See GM Dealer Replacement Parts Warranty Quick Reference Chart for details.

BRAKE FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about brakes to help you know if you should come in and see us.

When do I repair or replace my brakes?

Chirping or grinding sounds, or a pulsation feeling through the brake pedal are indications that a brake service or brake repair may be required.

 What are common causes of brake-pedal pulsation and/or noise?

  • Worn brake pads
  • Heat-cracked, warped or worn brake rotors
  • Loose-fitting brake pads in the caliper
  • Uneven torque on the lug nuts or caliper hardware
  • Lack of lubrication in the brake caliper

Why do my brakes squeal?

When a brake squeal occurs, there may be damage or excessive wear on one or more components, including the brake pads, the noise-damping material that is bonded to the brake pad, or the rotor.

Brake components are engineered as a complete system—factory-original performance can only be assured when using GM Genuine brake pads and rotors.

What impacts the longevity of brakes?

Factors that will reduce the life of your brake pads and rotors include frequent heavy braking, elevated temperatures (caused by high-speed braking, driving in mountainous areas, etc.), routine driving with the vehicle heavily loaded, and severe environments such as high-corrosion areas and areas with a lot of road debris and dust.

My brake pads are very dusty. Are all pads dusty?

Brake dust can occur to some extent on most brake systems, but it is significantly more noticeable with metallic pads and on high-performance brake systems.

Brake dust is a mix of debris from the brake rotor and brake pads. Pad materials that wear the rotor more aggressively will cause more dust.

Are all brake rotors the same?

There are often significant differences between GM Genuine Parts and aftermarket parts. While brake rotors designed to fit the same vehicle will often be similar in appearance and dimensions, there can be differences in internal cooling vane design, thickness of the brake plates, and the grade and material specification of the cast iron.