Brake Repair Services Wichita KS

Tenneco Inc.’s Monroe Brakes product line has continued its growth trajectory in 2010. Based upon feedback from distributors and professional technicians, the company has unveiled nearly 40 new Monroe Dynamics and Monroe Ceramics brake pad sets and a variety of packaging enhancements aimed at meeting the needs of all of its customers.

As “The Total Solution!” in brake pads, the Monroe Brakes product line leads the industry in offering complete brake repair kits featuring application-engineered pads, hardware, wire wear sensors and lube. This all-in-one packaging approach helps technicians perform more high quality brake jobs each day.

“The success of the Monroe Brakes line has been driven by our intense focus on the needs of our customers,” said Tony Carter, product manager, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco. “We are staying on the leading edge of application coverage, our portfolio of OE-style friction formulations continues to expand, and we’re making the customer experience exceptionally convenient through improved packaging.”

Tenneco recently added a new packaging size for more compact pad sets and changed to a special product shrink-wrap design within each box to help technicians more easily remove the pads. The Monroe Brakes product team continues to develop new SKUs for popular late-model foreign-nameplate and domestic applications.

Each Monroe Dynamics semi-metallic and Monroe Ceramics...

The problem with routines is that we tend to — you guessed it — fall into a routine. Because the braking system on many modern imports is integrated into other systems like vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control, modern braking systems must meet minimum levels of performance. For that reason alone, short-cutting a brake repair with substandard procedures and materials is a recipe for future comebacks. To help update our inspection procedures, let’s begin by discussing the service write-up.

SERVICE WRITE-UPS
A good service writer begins a brake inspection by interviewing the driver. For example, a lack of cold-brake response first thing in the morning might trouble a customer more than an illuminated anti-lock braking (ABS) warning light. Or, a shrill squeal on a damp day, or a brake pull or a soft brake pedal might be the customer’s most important concern. Many of these customer concerns are addressed by TSBs issued by auto and brake friction manufacturers. If that concern isn’t addressed, then the shop isn’t going to meet the customer’s expectations.

Especially in these tough times, a good service writer will also seek to prioritize a customer’s needs in relation to his income. For example, does he really need both brake axle sets replaced on this service visit? Or does he really need those loaded calipers or new rotors at this very point in time? These are but a few of the issues in brake service that need the talents of a good service writer.

Last, but not least, a service writer must be able to keep his or her shop profitable. All too often, shop owners and techs become so involved in the technical aspects of repairing the vehicle that they forget they need to operate at a profit. To achieve an acceptable profit margin, a good service writer must optimize the use of his facility and his available technical talent. How this is done depends largely on the shop’s facilities and the needs of the shop’s clientele. But, in the end, success in selling brake services depends largely on using a step-by-step procedure for diagnosing brake performance problems and providing a reliable, trouble-free brake repair.

THE INITIAL INSPECTION
The brake inspection should begin with starting the engine and, perhaps, taking the vehicle on a short test-drive before driving it into the service bay. To illustrate, do the red “brake” and the orange “ABS” warning lights illuminate when the ignition is turned on? In some cases...

2009-2011 Buick Lucerne Super with 18" Wheels
2011 Buick LaCrosse
2009-2011 Cadillac DTS
2011 Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Volt

Beginning with some models, GM has introduced a new brake rotor technology called Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing (FNC). Simply put, it is an additional step in the manufacturing process of the brake rotor that creates a hardened outer layer on the surface of the rotor. This hardened outer layer reduces the rotor rusting and it also allows the rotor to wear slower. Because this new technology protects against excessive rotor corrosion, it not only aesthetically looks better through open spoke-type wheels, it helps reduce thickness variation, which creates pulsation specifically due to “lot rot” corrosion.

Diagnostic Procedure
1. Describe the customer’s concern on the repair order (i.e. squeak, growl, pulsation, vibration, shudder, etc.).

2. Can the noise/pulsation be heard/felt (duplicated) while the vehicle is moving with the brake pedal applied?
-Yes - Proceed to Step 3.
- No - This concern is not caused by the brake rotor or pad. Do not proceed with this bulletin. Refer to service information for diagnosis and repair.

3. If the concern is noise, proceed to Step 4. If the concern is pulsation, can the concern be felt through the steering wheel or pedal? Use the parking brake to determine whether this is a front or rear brake rotor issue. Describe/document on the Repair Order what is being felt and at what speed (with brake apply) and if it is a front or rear issue.

4. Perform a visual inspection of the brake rotor(s) and pads. Describe on the repair order  any unusual wear or corrosion. If the brake pads are NOT worn, proceed with Step 5. If the brake pads are unevenly worn side to side and/or inner to outer, determine cause, correction and describe on repair order. Proceed with Step 7.

5. Burnish brakes by performing 10-15 moderate stops from 56-64 km/h (35-40 mph) with coolin...