Family Owned & Operated
1 Year 12,000 Mile Parts & Labor Warranty
We Service All Makes & Models
FREE Shuttle Service See Store for Details
Complete Auto Repair
December 11, 2017
Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Bloomington drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.
A regular brake inspection is on every Illinois driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Tuffy Bloomington, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your Bloomington service center right away. And watch out for these problems:
There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.
There are several things that need to be serviced on the brake system. First, the brake pads and shoes wear out with use and become too thin to really help. If the brake pads wear away completely you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced, and that can be expensive. But putting it off is dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.
Brake fluid is also important. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid, not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Bloomington drivers should change the brake fluid when their vehicle manufacturer recommends it.
Be sure to properly maintain your brakes because it's a lot cheaper than paying your nearest Bloomington area body shop after an accident.
Tuffy Bloomington
1505 East Vernon Avenue
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
309.662.0537
January 26, 2025
Rust. It's worse if you drive in places that use salt on the roads in winter, or if you spend time driving near a body of salt water. But any vehicle has to deal with rust after years on the road. And it's not just that rust can eat away your vehicle's body and fenders. It can be a real probl... More
January 19, 2025
You may have heard about an important part of your vehicle's engine called a timing belt, and many know that if that belt breaks, it can cause some very serious engine problems. Not all vehicles have them, and the ones that do generally have smaller engines. The timing belt keeps the engine sy... More
January 12, 2025
If youve noticed your vehicles ride has lately been bumpy or youre hearing strange noises when you drive over bumps, you may need new struts. The strut assembly is part of your vehicles suspension system thats used to absorb the irregularities on the surfaces you drive on. You have probably hea... More
