Automotive brake repair sometimes includes more than just replacing parts to ensure everything is working correctly. There are some things a brake repair service can do to improve the brakes' performance that can often save you some money at the same time. 

Brake Wear

There are two major brake wear issues on any vehicle. The first is the friction material on the brake pads or shoes and the second is the brake drums and rotors. A brake repair shop will look at both of these issues when assessing the condition of the brakes on your vehicle and make repairs as required.

There are some limitations to how much material can be removed. Replacing the rotors and drums is not always necessary, and a brake repair shop can often take the parts off the vehicle and put them on a brake lathe that will remove some of the surface metal to create a smooth surface for the shoes and pads to grip. Still, on a newer car that has never had brake work performed, the drums and rotors should have plenty of material to allow turning them down instead of replacing them. 

The brake shoes and pads are not repairable in any case, and those will need replacing as they wear. Often, a new set of pads and shoes in combination with freshly resurfaced rotors and drums will restore the brakes to near new performance and significantly improve the car's stopping ability. 

System Performance

While the brake repair shop has the brake system on your car apart, cleaning all the components and the surface around the brakes with a brake cleaner is an excellent idea. Removing brake dust, road dirt, or other debris from the brake system can positively impact the way the system works. 

Brake dust can cause parts to stick, which is also not good for the surfaces. Metal particles are one ingredient used in brake pads and rotors, so often, the dust is filled with bits of steel that can stick to things and then start to rust, causing all kinds of problems. Cleaning the brake dust off every time the system is maintained can help reduce these issues and should be a part of the brake repair process.

Brake System Upgrades

When making brake repairs, upgrading the pads and shoes to semi-metallic or ceramic friction material is another consideration. The performance of these materials will increase the performance of the brakes and allow you to extend the time between brake repairs. Ceramic pads also produce less brake dust than OE materials over time.

If you are unsure what the best combination is for your car or truck, talk with the brake repair service, and they can go over all the options to help you select the right parts and make the best repairs to ensure your brakes work effectively. 

Visit a site like http://www.autoservicefairfax.com to learn more about brake repair.