At Evolution 2 Motorsport, we know the Braking System is critical to your and your family’s safety.

Ignoring a brake pedal shudder, a rasping noise when braking or flickering warning lights puts you and your family at risk of an accident or even worse - injury. Ensuring your (and your passengers) Vehicle safety should be a number 1 priority. We are able to replace the Brake Pads and Brake Discs with highest quality Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts which are tailor-made for your vehicle. In our Brake Service, the perfect coordination of the various components guarantees excellent braking performance and the highest level of safety in every driving situation. And thanks to their special composition, OEM brake discs and brake pads are particularly durable and resistant to wear and tear and distortion.

A Brake Service at a glance:

• Removal of wheels to inspect the brake discs and brake pads (includes a thorough inspection of the braking system including braking components, hoses and brake wear indicators)
• Checking the condition of the brake fluid (Note: a brake fluid flush should be done every 2 years)
• Thorough cleaning of the brake parts
• Detailed testing of new brake pads before installation
• Expert installation of new brake discs and brake pads including renewed testing
• Installation of wheels. 'Bedding' of the brakes, and assessment of the braking power
• All servicing is carried out by experienced Technicians in our workshop

Here are some signs to look for to know when to replace Brake Pads and Discs:

1. Squealing or Screeching Noises:
   Generally, the first indication any driver will notice is a squealing, screeching, or whining noise when the brakes are engaged. This sound is caused by a small, metallic shim indicator that’s embedded in your brake pad for just this purpose. When you hear it regularly while braking, it’s likely time to bring your car in an inspection.
   
   
2. Less than a Quarter Inch of Brake Pad:
   You can also visually inspect your brake pads to know if it’s time to have them replaced. Look through your rim spokes and you should see your brake pad compressed against your brake rotor. If the pad is less than ¼ inch thick (approximately 3 millimeters) you should consider having your brakes inspected, especially if it’s been a long time since your last inspection.
   
   
3. Deep Metallic Grinding and Growling:
   If you hear a deep, low noise that sounds like metal grinding or a rumbling growl, that can be a sign that not only are your brake pads worn away, but that your brake discs and calipers are making contact. Since this metal on metal contact can very quickly cause even further damage in your braking system, you should take your vehicle in for inspection as soon as possible for inspection.
   
   
4. Indicator Lights:
   Some vehicles have an indicator light on the dashboard that will signal when it’s time to replace the brake pads. Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle comes equipped with the low-pad warning system. Remember that if the light does come on, you’ll need to have your mechanic replace the light sensors as well as the brake pads.

How long do Brake Pads last?
Brake pads are generally thought to last for approximately 50000km. However, the real answer to how long brake pads can last will vary from vehicle to vehicle, and from driver to driver. For example, if you tend to drive the most often in urban areas or in heavy commuter traffic, you’ll be engaging your brakes a lot more frequently than someone who drives in rural locations or on highways. Some people also tend to “ride the brake,” meaning they press and depress their brakes more habitually than other drivers, causing the brake pads to wear away more quickly.

Is it necessary to change the Brake Fluid?
As brake fluid ages, it absorbs moisture, which lowers its boiling point and raises its freezing point and causes increased corrosion of the brake system components. Automotive experts agree that brake fluid should be changed regularly as a part of the normal routine service. Not all manufacturers mention brake fluid in their scheduled maintenance recommendations, those that do, recommend fresh brake fluid approximately every 2 years.

New brake fluid is clear to a very slight amber color, if it has signs of rust or is very dirty (e.g. like the color of 'coke') then it definitely needs to be changed. Even though a driver may not be able to notice an immediate improvement, the reduced corrosion will eventually result in less money being spent for brake system component replacement in the future. We recommend having your brake fluid inspected annually and replaced approximately every 2 to 3 years. It might be most convenient to have it serviced while a Brake Service is being performed.

Our Workmanship is Guaranteed: To Alec and the staff, a vehicle is considered as a member of our family. We pride ourselves on trust, work ethic, friendliness and using only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts, Fluids and Lubricants. Contact us for more information or to book an appointment.

The Suspension and Shock Absorbers are often the last components of a vehicle to be considered for replacement, but they’re also a primary key to your safety. They are as important as properly fitted, quality tyres, airbags and properly functioning brakes.

Your vehicles suspension/ shocks do more than contribute to a smooth ride. In fact, their primary purpose is to help you maintain control of your vehicle. Since worn or bad shocks/ control arms can turn any ride into an uncomfortable, even unsafe nightmare, learn how to determine if your suspension is in need of some help. Remember the symptoms of a worn or failing suspension by asking yourself, “Is my vehicle showing signs of being C.U.R.S.E.D.?”

C – Car veering or sliding in side winds? Unless you’re driving through a tornado (which we don’t advise), this could mean you’re dealing with a shock absorber problem. Worn or leaking shocks can lead to unsteadiness on the road. You shouldn’t have to “correct” your vehicle, even in mild gusts.

U – Uneven wear appearing on your tyres. Big red flag! When your shocks are worn, they can’t keep your tyres firmly on the road. The result? Patchy areas of wear. To perform as the manufacturer intended, tyres must maintain uniform contact with the road. Uneven tyre wear can increase your risk of hydroplaning and leave you more prone to a sudden flat. Remember to do the wheel alignment.

R – Rocking, rolling and rattling. Hold tight! It could point to worn shocks when your vehicle shakes, rattles, and rocks a little too hard when driving over minor road bumps or railroad tracks. Since a vehicle’s shocks are responsible for controlling the impact and vibration of a vehicle’s springs and suspension, worn ones won’t be able to soften the blows of the road. A rattling ride is not only uncomfortable, it can put undue pressure on other parts of the vehicle and could soon lead to more than shock troubles.

S – Swerving and dipping when applying your brakes. If bringing your vehicle to a stop causes the front end to dip noticeably or, worse yet, results in any swerving, worn shocks may be the culprit. Watch out, since this symptom could prove especially dangerous in wet weather.

E – Excessive vibration in your steering wheel. Traveling over an uneven road surface can naturally cause the steering wheel to vibrate a little, but the vibration should go away as soon as you reach a smoother surface. If the vibration remains constant while you’re driving, it might be a sign that there’s a serious problem with your shocks. At highway speeds, these vibrations could become more intense and hamper your ability to control the vehicle.

D – Delayed or longer stopping distances. Worn shock absorbers can increase your braking distance by 20%, which could mean the difference between a safe stop and an accident. This symptom may have you thinking you are coming in for a brake inspection. Our experienced technicians will be able to diagnose the real culprit, whether it’s low brake fluid, worn shocks, or something else entirely.

Wait. So how can I test my shocks? Here’s one way, but not the only way to do it. With your vehicle parked, press down on the front end of the vehicle and release. If more than a couple bounces are required to calm the vehicle, the shocks might be worn. You can repeat this test with the rear of the vehicle, too.

These worn shock symptoms won’t appear overnight. Shocks wear out over time, making it difficult to determine when they need to be replaced. If you notice one of these signs, spring into action for your own safety and start with a complete vehicle inspection. During an inspection, technicians will check for any suspension-related issues, including damaged shocks or struts, broken mounts or bushings, and vehicle swaying or bouncing. After diagnosing the problem, they’ll advise you on next steps to get rid of any “C.U.R.S.E.D.” symptoms of bad shocks!

If you experience any of the above scenarios, please feel free to book in your Vehicle so our experienced technicians can do a thorough vehicle inspection/ test drive and use our suspension 'Joint Play Tester'. Many Customers are hesitant to replace their vehicles shock absorbers and suspension items, because of the costs, but through our Supplier Network we are able to source Bilstein Shocks and Meyle Products which are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to all the major manufacturers, at very reasonable pricing.