When your car is in need of a brake replacement, it may be tempting to pull up your sleeves and attempt the job yourself, and certainly that’s an option for experienced car owners and mechanics. There are, however, several downsides to taking the DIY approach to brake replacement - read on to discover what we mean. If you do need brake replacement or any other vehicle service, trust Hansma Automotive; we’re the best brake service provider in the Kitchener area.
Brake Replacement: The Downsides of DIY
The “do it yourself” approach is an honorable one and can appear to be more cost-efficient and convenient as you attempt to cut out the cost of labor. Not trusting a reliable automotive service technician could end up being problematic, though, and here are several reasons why.
If you try to do a brake replacement yourself, you may miss the real issue that only a trained eye can see.
You May Not Get To The Real Issue
Let’s say you don’t feel as though your brakes are as sharp as they should be, so you jump to the conclusion that you need a brake replacement and rush to start the job yourself. You’re skipping important steps in the process, and risk misdiagnosing the problem.
What you should do instead is take your vehicle to professionals such as the ones at Hansma Automotive who can perform a brake safety check and let you know which if any components need to be fixed or replaced. Our brake safety check includes the following:
Brake pads and shoes - to check for wear
Drums and rotors - to check for wear
Wheel cylinders and calipers - to check for leaks
Hydraulic lines and hoses - to check for leaks, kinks, and blockages
Fluid in the master cylinder - to check the level and the condition of the fluid
It’s a good rule of thumb to have your brakes checked once a year or every 50,000 kilometers to catch worn pads before they become a bigger issue. Replacing worn pads before they damage the disks or drums is very inexpensive compared to the much higher cost of a complete brake replacement. Read more about our brake repair service here.
Why risk paying more to repair a botched DIY brake replacement?
Botched Brake Replacement Could Cost You More Than Professional Work
Most people don’t have access to a fully functioning vehicle repair space with all the correct tools, so any attempt at brake replacement will be lacking the necessary benefits that come with taking your vehicle to a licensed mechanic. Professionals can lift your car and navigate tight spaces to ensure they are doing everything right the first time. If something goes wrong or you make errors along the way - both of which are entirely possible for amateurs - then it’s quite possible that you’ll have to take your vehicle to a shop to rectify that issue, on top of completing the intended brake replacement.
Why risk paying more for a botched DIY brake replacement? Brakes aren't something you want to leave to chance, and in the Kitchener area, you don't have to. Have the automotive experts at Hansma Automotive regularly check and maintain your brakes so that you can have peace of mind knowing that they will always be in prime working condition, especially in an emergency situation.
The ramifications of poor brakes can be deadly.
Proper Brake Replacement Can Save Your Life
Did you know that brake failure is one of the leading causes of accidents in Canada? Some of Canada’s deadliest accidents have been caused by that very issue. It is also one of the most preventable failures given how simple it is to keep brakes in good working condition.
Again, why take the risk? Are the potential savings that come with the DIY approach worth putting your life and the lives of others in jeopardy? We don’t think so.
Repairing or replacing your brakes is a complicated process, and one that needs to be done correctly or you risk facing costly and perhaps even deadly repercussions. Having said that, if you feel up to the task, it is possible to change brake pads yourself. Click here for a good guide on how to do so, or watch the video below. If you don't want to take a chance on a DIY brake replacement, take your vehicle to the professionals at Hansma Automotive; we’ll be happy to help.
Here’s a handy DIY video if you feel up to doing your own brake replacement.
Trust Hansma Automotive With All Your Vehicle Repair and Service Needs
As a Tech-Net professional auto repair facility, Hansma Automotive is committed to serving you, our customer, with professional auto service and repair at a reasonable cost. We use quality CARQUEST auto parts, guaranteed coast to coast. We stand on sound business principles and uphold high ethical standards. Our goal is to make your automotive repair experience friendly and successful.
"Great full service automotive shop! I've always brought all my vehicles to Hansma Automotive for any kind of repair or service needed. Everything from oil changes and brakes, to custom performance suspension and exhaust systems. They also have top quality detailing as well. They're all great mechanics and excellent customer service." - Fraser
Read more testimonials here.
Come in to see our shop and meet our team of mechanics, or contact us here today. We would love to meet you. We are located at 88 Shoemaker St, Kitchener, ON N2E 3G4.