Richfield Service Center – Engine Diagnostics,
Troubleshooting & Repair
Southeastern Wisconsin
"Good People to Turn To"
Tom Helmers       
Service Manager
262- 628-1932 extension #1
Fax: 262- 628- 3030
After Hours: 262-628-1932 extension #3

What problems must I watch for in my car?

Troubleshooting Brake Problems 

Vehicle Problem?	Its Cause?	You Must …
1. Vehicle brake pedal is hard	Several potential causes: Brakes poorly adjusted Pads and/or linings worn Faulty power brake booster Low engine vacuum (power brakes)	Get the booster checked Get the engine vacuum checked
2. Low or soft brake pedal	Several Potential Causes: Low fluid level – possible small leak Leaking hoses and/or lines. Frozen caliper slides because caliper slides are rusted and/or seized	You must get brakes professionally checked. Get lines, hoses checked for leaks
3. With repeated hard stopping, pressure causes the brake pedal to fade.	Several potential causes: Leaking master cylinder or wheel cylinders Leaking hoses and/or lines Brake fluid problematic	get fluid exchanged / Flushed Brake system master cylinder needs to be examined for leaks Check lines, hoses for leaks Check brake fluid.

Solution & Brake System  Check: Brake Fluid Exchange Remove old oxidized fluid and sludge Removes all moisture from system Reduces corrosion of brake system Replaces with DOT 4 brake fluid.  Why? -Provides “like new” braking feeling -Reduces the chance of costly brake system failure and replacement -Recommended every 40k to 50K

4. Noisy brakes (scrape, squeal, or click)	Several potential causes: Brake material wear Caliper anti-rattle springs gone Loose caliper bushings	Get the pad and material wear checked Check calipers for possible missing parts Caliper mountings must be inspected/fixed
5. The vehicle pulls to one side or the brakes grab	Several potential causes: Tire pressure not correct Seized or rusted caliper Contaminated brake material Loose-fitting or calipers askew	Correct the tire pressure If pads are contaminated then replace them. Get the caliper mountings inspected
6. Brakes chatter or shake	Several potential causes: Worn out brake material Heat checked drumsWarped Rotors Drums out-of-round Caliper seized or rusted Excessive heat	Get the brakes checked professionalyGet the rotor checked for excessive run out or warpage

Possible Scam … Warning! “Brake Work: “Cheap”, “Quick” and “Convenient” Be careful of the “$69.95” brake services that offer you an unrealistically low price per brake job. Brakes are much more complex than these services will let on. That’s not to say that brake work must be expensive. But it IS to say brake work, if done poorly, can result in great expense. But they  assure you the brakes can be done very economically, anyway. Realistically, there are far too many factors against which you must protect your car when you're dealing with brakes. Cheap brake work typically does not care to rule out contaminated brake fluid, rusty brake lines, or brake caliper mounting hardware that can seize. There are a host of other problems which, if neglected, can lead to very expensive brake work later… not to mention the potential dangers to you and your family while traveling. Always take your brake work to a certified Automotive Service Center where proper diagnostic work to be done and expenses can be lessened considerably in most cases, especially with regular maintenance. Read more on scams.

All of Richfield Automotive Service Technicians are ASE Certified

ASE—Certifying the Automotive Professional. Why is that important?

Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to a national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With nearly 400,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified professionals can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets.

Certification Benefits Motorists

ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Prior to taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers, and to their customers. Moreover, shop owners and managers who encourage their employees to become certified can be counted on to be concerned about the other aspects of their business.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF:

SERVICE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT 1810 Wolf Road Richfield, WI 53076 (Just off Hwy. 167, W) Located Just North of Westbury Bank, 262-628-1932