Working Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Tue 8:00AM - 5:30PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Thu 8:00AM - 5:30PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 5:30PM
    Sat Appointment Only
  • Sun Closed
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419-782-7827 | 1735 Spruce St Defiance, OH 43512

BRAKES & BRAKE REPAIR

A vehicle's brakes are one of its most important safety features, and we want to make sure that Northwest Automotive LLC customers stay safe. Whether your brake pads are signaling they need replacement, your brake light is on, or you're not comfortable with how quickly your vehicle is slowing down, call us at 419-782-7827 or visit us in Defiance and we'll give you a prompt diagnosis of your braking system's safety and reliability.

Anti-Lock Brake System
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) ensure that the wheels don't stop rotating during braking, preventing the car from skidding and offering greater control. If your ABS light comes on, visit Northwest Automotive LLC where we will be happy to diagnose and fix the problem.

Brake Fluid Flushes
Brake fluid will absorb water from the air over time, causing the brake system to become less effective and the fluid to become corrosive, possibly damaging the system. It is important to perform a brake fluid flush regularly to ensure that your vehicle is using fresh fluid. Talk to our technicians at Northwest Automotive LLC about when it's time for a brake fluid flush.

Brake Hoses
A brake hose is a tube carrying pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A crushed hose can cause a lagged or slow brake, and a leak in the hose can cause the brake, or the entire brake system, to fail. These don't need to be replaced often, but should be replaced at the first sign of cracking or wear.

Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement
Brake pad problems can usually be identified by squealing brakes. If your brake pads deteriorate completely, you'll hear a grinding metal-on-metal sound when braking, meaning that it's too late and you're ruining your rotors or drums! Those with knowledge of auto repair may be able to fix this at home, but you should always see an auto repair professional immediately if you have brake problems.

Caliper Replacement
The brake caliper houses your brake pads and fits around the rotor like a clamp, pressing the pads against the rotor when you brake. A brake caliper problem could cause uneven braking, making your car slide forward when you brake. Uneven braking can also cause your vehicle to slide out of control in bad weather conditions, so contact Northwest Automotive LLC as soon as possible.

Resurface Rotors
In a disc brake system, rotors are attached to your vehicle's wheels. When the brake pads grip the rotor, they bring both the rotor and wheels to a stop. However, the friction causes grooves and cracks to appear over time. Resurfacing brings the rotor back to a "like-new" condition, reducing squealing and wobbling. Northwest Automotive LLC will give your rotors a thorough inspection and recommend your best course of action.



Brakes Questions and Answers

Q: Why is my dashboard brake light on?
A: If the brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it's either time for regular brake maintenance or an alert to a potential problem. Stop by Northwest Automotive LLC and let us help you diagnose this issue quickly.

Q: What percent of brake pad life is 3mm?
A: When you purchase a new brake pad, it has a standard thickness of around 8 to 12 mm or about a half inch. Over time, your car's brake pad will wear away. A brake pad at 3 mm or around one tenth of an inch will take around 40,000 miles of driving to completely wear out. Don't wait until then to replace your brake pads. Once your brake pads reach 3 mm it is recommended that you schedule an appointment to get them replaced soon.

Q: Why are my brakes making a grinding noise?
A: Grinding noises usually indicate that your car's brake system is overdue for maintenance. The grinding sound is usually caused by the brake pad being completely worn away or the brake shoe scraping on metal contact points.

Q: Why are my brakes squeaking?
A: Noises coming from your brakes do not usually indicate a high-cost auto repair. It could be a foreign object such as a small stone or road debris. It could also be a signal that your brake-pads are wearing out and need replacing. As brake pads wear bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to create a squeaking noise when you apply the brakes.

Q: Why are my brakes vibrating?
A: If your car shakes or vibrates or wobbles when you apply the brakes, it indicates that the thickness of your rotor is uneven. Brake rotors are large, perfectly round, smooth metal discs that sit inside of the wheels. When the disc has become misshapen or unevenly worn it will vibrate or wobble when you hit the brakes. Left uneven, the material will continue to build on the uneven spots, making the problem worse over time. Come to Northwest Automotive LLC to get the face of your car's brake rotors resurfaced to fix the problem.

Q: How do I know if my car is leaking brake fluid?
A: If your car does not stop as quickly as you expect you may be leaking brake fluid. This is a serious problem. An important part of the braking process involves brake fluid, which is used to create hydraulic pressure against the brake caliper. If your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, you won't be able to stop safely. We recommend taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible if it is leaking brake fluid.

Q: Why are my brakes making a burning smell?
A: Overheated brakes cause a noticeable burning chemical smell. Pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Ensure you did not accidentally leave the parking brake on. If there's any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving.

Q: Why is my car pulling to one side when I am braking?
A: If your car is pulling to one side when braking it may be a bad brake hose or a caliper issue causing one brake to engage while the other is not. This causes a pull on the side where the brake is working properly.

Q: What are the 3 types of brake pads?
A: There are three main types of brake pads in use today: non-asbestos organic, ceramic and semi-metallic. Come by Northwest Automotive LLC or consult your car's owner's manual to determine which type is best for your vehicle.

Q: What are the 3 signs that brake pads are worn?
A: The three most common sounds that indicate you need to replace your brake pads are squeaking, grinding or the dashboard brake indicator light coming on.

To learn more about our Brake services, call us at 419-782-7827 or request a quote by clicking below:


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Discover More About Brake Repair Services At Northwest Automotive LLC in Defiance

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What Our Customers Are Saying

Very happy with the service!!! They came and picked my truck up, repaired my tire, and brought my truck back to me within time frame they stated. Today my tire went low, they worked on my truck immediately. Would recommend them to anyone, they are very friendly and accommodating. 5 star rating from me!!!!

, 12/16/2021

Awesome shop!! Not only was the estimate the lowest I received, the entire exhaust system was replaced (headers on back), the work was completed in under 2 hours. I m a U.S.Army Veteran and my car had a misfire situation going on due to bad coil pack, well Tim & his guys found me a coil pack and put it on NO CHARGE!! I would recommend this shop to any & everyone!

, 10/13/2021

reviewicon

Tim and the guys do great work here and are honest I definitely recommend these guys for any repairs

, 09/28/2021
I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty, the A/C stopped working, so I called up Tim and told him. He said can you bring it in today at 1:00pm? I said yes. So I took it in, they found that all the Freon was out of the unit. So they put more Freon in plus added some dye to find if the system may have a leak. So I paid the bill. Tim said, if you have any further problems bring it back. So the next day I started my Jeep up. The A/C stop working. So I called them back on Saturday. Can you bring it back on Monday at 2:00pm? I replied yes. Returned back to Northwest Automotive. They took my jeep in and recharged the A/C unit, and checked the system for any possible leaks. So Tim filled me in on no signs of dye so go ahead drive it and if any further problems bring it back. So how much money do I owe you? He replied nothing. The next day I drove my Jeep the A/C stop working again. So I called them back and told them. Can you drop it off so we can get to work on it Monday morning. I said yes. So I called them up Monday around noon and asked how are things going with my jeep? He replied that we believe we have found the leak. So he asked you said when it would set over night that the next day it not work? I replied yes. He asked if you don't need your Jeep back today, we will let it set overnight and check and see if it is still working in the morning. So I replied yes. I called them back the next day and asked how are things going with my jeep? Tim replied it is working fine. He asked if I would pick it up later today, l said that is fine because I will not be in town till around 3:30pm. Because I was at work. So went to pick up my Jeep. Tim said I believe the problem was from the low pressure valve. It should be alright. I replied so how much do I owe you. He said nothing, if you have any further problems bring it back. I believe he is a fair and honest person. I will respect that and I will bring him some more business. Thanks again.

, 07/16/2021

Northwest Automotive didn't charge me to look over my Geo Traker, even though I didn't end up having anything done to it. Will be going back to them.

, 04/26/2021

reviewiconLeaf Springs
Undercar Services, near Defiance, OH

Northwest Automotive did it right again. Out read leaf springs on the Firebird and the stance was back where it's supposed to be! Very good job again! Thanks!

, 03/12/2021
  • AERA (Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association)
  • ASE Certified - Automotive Service Excellence
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  • ALL-DATA
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  • UNOH Alumni - University of Northwestern Ohio
  • Defiance Ohio Police
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  • Call Us For Service: 419-782-7827