At West Harrow Garage Ltd, our technicians are highly experienced and fully trained to spot those early danger signs. But understanding how your vehicle works is also worthwhile and can help you spot some of the early danger signs. However, if in doubt, ALWAYS bring your vehicle along to have the brakes, steering and suspension components examined for safety.

It’s really important to have regular checks on your brakes, suspension and steering, as often as every 6 months. Steering components can be knocked out of alignment by speed humps and potholes, and poor steering puts yourself and your family at risk of accident.

The suspension’s most noticeable function is creating a smooth ride for you, but suspension also has an influence on steering and drive. The main cause of suspension problems is simply ages, most of the moving parts are made of rubber and can dry out and crack over a period of time.

We check the brakes, suspension and steering fully as part out our routine servicing. We’ll carry out repairs where necessary to make sure that you remain as safe and comfortable as possible.

How to spot Brake issues?
We remove the wheels and inspect them thoroughly. We’ll check the brake lining wear, brake disc thickness, brake fluid level and condition, brake hoses and brake lines. We’ll even take your car for a short test drive to spot any other potential brake problems. Any issues will be resolved and the car will be returned to you, safe and sound for another year.

Why should I renew my Brake Fluid?
Every two years, your brake system should be flushed and the brake fluid replaced. Why? Because brake fluid absorbs water, and this has a number of knock-on effects.
Brake fluid that contains water can become acidic, causing expensive components to corrode and need replacing. The water could thin the brake fluid, making it ineffective. If the water becomes vapour, it will create air pockets that again make your brakes less effective, and that water can freeze too, meaning your brake cables are completely jammed. It’s absolutely vital to have your brake fluid changed every two years. We can handle that for you.

How to spot Steering and Suspension issues?
As with steering problems, a tendency to drift or pull to one side should raise a warning flag. But keep your ears open. One of the best indications of suspension issues is a knocking noise from the front or rear of your vehicle. This is most often heard when the car is pulling off from a standstill, or when driving down bumpy roads and over speed humps.

If you spot these signs, bring your car in to us for a FREE Brakes, Steering and Suspension Check.