Mechanic/garage for brakes

T

ThatFragranceGuy

Well-known member
Any recommendations? Got a classic winter grating noise and the usual tricks of handbrake cycling not sorting it, girlfriend works on the road with NHS and wants me to book her into kwikfit but I know they're terrible pricing and quality so would rather get somewhere else to look at it.
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
Any recommendations? Got a classic winter grating noise and the usual tricks of handbrake cycling not sorting it, girlfriend works on the road with NHS and wants me to book her into kwikfit but I know they're terrible pricing and quality so would rather get somewhere else to look at it.
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If it's just road debris and not a significant issue have you tried applying the brakes whilst reversing?
 
chickenrunner said:
If it's just road debris and not a significant issue have you tried applying the brakes whilst reversing?
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first happened Christmas Eve and applied / removed handbrake several times then when forwards / backwards several times and that sorted it but came back yesterday and nothing seems to stop it. Watched some YouTube's that say it can be the backing plate bent out of shape but don't have anything easily visible on mine like in the videos.

Is that applying it while reversing? The tips I read before said to cycle it off/on several times then reverse: go forwards 5-10 meters then repeat
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
first happened Christmas Eve and applied / removed handbrake several times then when forwards / backwards several times and that sorted it but came back yesterday and nothing seems to stop it. Watched some YouTube's that say it can be the backing plate bent out of shape but don't have anything easily visible on mine like in the videos.

Is that applying it while reversing? The tips I read before said to cycle it off/on several times then reverse: go forwards 5-10 meters then repeat
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Yes, apply whilst moving backwards. Just use the foot brake. We live down a long unmade track so occasionally get grit or stones in the brakes. Obviously it pops in whilst moving forward so can generally only be dislodged by braking whilst moving backwards.
Mrs Chickenrunner had a problem where the disc backing plate vibrated lose and rubbed on the disc. The racket was horrendous, needless to say she was oblivious to it.🙄
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
Any recommendations? Got a classic winter grating noise and the usual tricks of handbrake cycling not sorting it, girlfriend works on the road with NHS and wants me to book her into kwikfit but I know they're terrible pricing and quality so would rather get somewhere else to look at it.
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Halfords are pretty good. They are linked with other garages also and booking online it gives you a choice of your nearest branches.
 
I always use Euro Car Parts. They almost always have offers on new brake discs and pads.

Then use the 'fit for me' option. You just add your postcode and 10-20 local garages pop up with quotes and days that they can fit. It saves you the hassle of phoning around looking for the cheapest option.

The parts also get delivered straight to the garage. The difference in quotes is amazing. I'm talking 100s of pounds do the same job. Also the garages have a star system so you can see customer feedback.

Just download the app. It's the simplest way of doing it. I've had breaks / batteries and spark plugs fitted through 'fit for me'. Always cheaper than Halfords or kwick fit as local garages.
 
fmttmadmin said:
Halfords are pretty good. They are linked with other garages also and booking online it gives you a choice of your nearest branches.
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No, they are not and have heard some horror stories from them. They also charge premium prices for everything and would advise everyone to stay away from them.


ThatFragranceGuy said:
Any recommendations? Got a classic winter grating noise and the usual tricks of handbrake cycling not sorting it, girlfriend works on the road with NHS and wants me to book her into kwikfit but I know they're terrible pricing and quality so would rather get somewhere else to look at it.
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TFG - Not sure if you still have me on ignore but there are a few small garages around that will sort this out for you at half the price that Kwikfit and Halfords would charge. I would give Jimmy and Chris a ring on the A66 Garage.

J & C.B Vehicle Repairs, TS6 6AD. 01642 465858

There is also a garage at North Ormesby near the fly over which is also good and charge reasonable prices.

Middlesbrough MOT Station. TS4 2AG. 01642 250562

If it is easier to get to Stockton, my brother in law owned this garage and the lad who took over is very good and a lot of my family still get there cars serviced and MOT from him.

Bone Street Auto Repair, TS18 2BY. 01642 613412

Can someone copy and paste this back into this thread for the attention of TheFragranceGuy, I think he's still got me on ignore.
 
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From Norman Conquest-----------------------------------


TFG - Not sure if you still have me on ignore but there are a few small garages around that will sort this out for you at half the price that Kwikfit and Halfords would charge. I would give Jimmy and Chris a ring on the A66 Garage.

J & C.B Vehicle Repairs, TS6 6AD. 01642 465858

There is also a garage at North Ormesby near the fly over which is also good and charge reasonable prices.

Middlesbrough MOT Station. TS4 2AG. 01642 250562

If it is easier to get to Stockton, my brother in law owned this garage and the lad who took over is very good and a lot of my family still get there cars serviced and MOT from him.

Bone Street Auto Repair, TS18 2BY. 01642 613412

Can someone copy and past this back into this thread for the attention of TheFragranceGuy, I think he's still got me on ignore.
 
I think you will struggle with the smaller independents.as most will be closed between Xmas and New Year. I have used IN and Out on Portrack Lane previously when my usual garage was closed and found them pretty good 👍
 
Norfolkred1 said:
From Norman Conquest-----------------------------------


TFG - Not sure if you still have me on ignore but there are a few small garages around that will sort this out for you at half the price that Kwikfit and Halfords would charge. I would give Jimmy and Chris a ring on the A66 Garage.

J & C.B Vehicle Repairs, TS6 6AD. 01642 465858

There is also a garage at North Ormesby near the fly over which is also good and charge reasonable prices.

Middlesbrough MOT Station. TS4 2AG. 01642 250562

If it is easier to get to Stockton, my brother in law owned this garage and the lad who took over is very good and a lot of my family still get there cars serviced and MOT from him.

Bone Street Auto Repair, TS18 2BY. 01642 613412

Can someone copy and past this back into this thread for the attention of TheFragranceGuy, I think he's still got me on ignore.
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Cheers I'll have a ring around 👍🏻
 
S7DiscoDown said:
I always use Euro Car Parts. They almost always have offers on new brake discs and pads.

Then use the 'fit for me' option. You just add your postcode and 10-20 local garages pop up with quotes and days that they can fit. It saves you the hassle of phoning around looking for the cheapest option.

The parts also get delivered straight to the garage. The difference in quotes is amazing. I'm talking 100s of pounds do the same job. Also the garages have a star system so you can see customer feedback.

Just download the app. It's the simplest way of doing it. I've had breaks / batteries and spark plugs fitted through 'fit for me'. Always cheaper than Halfords or kwick fit as local garages.
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I think the brakes themselves are ok although I'll def keep that in mind for when they're ready to be done. I think from the research I've done it's just either corrosion or debris grating against something, and common in winter and older cars (this is a 15 year old focus)
 
Busby Stoop Garage near Thirsk is by far the best garage I've used but may be further than you want to travel. There have been occasions when I've gone to them with a problem and they've done themselves out of a job by giving me free advice about how to solve it without needing them.
 
S7DiscoDown said:
I always use Euro Car Parts. They almost always have offers on new brake discs and pads.

Then use the 'fit for me' option. You just add your postcode and 10-20 local garages pop up with quotes and days that they can fit. It saves you the hassle of phoning around looking for the cheapest option.

The parts also get delivered straight to the garage. The difference in quotes is amazing. I'm talking 100s of pounds do the same job. Also the garages have a star system so you can see customer feedback.

Just download the app. It's the simplest way of doing it. I've had breaks / batteries and spark plugs fitted through 'fit for me'. Always cheaper than Halfords or kwick fit as local garages.
Click to expand...
Good suggestion, problem is you don't know what is causing the problem. Leaves scope to be ripped off for the unwary. Go to Kwikfit/Halfords and ask them to have a look and get a quote before going the EuroCarParts route.
 
tripleheader said:
Good suggestion, problem is you don't know what is causing the problem. Leaves scope to be ripped off for the unwary. Go to Kwikfit/Halfords and ask them to have a look and get a quote before going the EuroCarParts route.
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Leaves scope to be ripped off and then advises to go to KwikFit & Halfords.

A girl I worked with had her exhaust fitted by KwikFit and after a week there was a loud knocking from it. She went back to KwikFit and they wanted to charge her £250 to repair it. Whilst out on a home visit I got her to call into a friend's garage and he had a look at it. KwikFit had missed off a rubber holder and this was causing the knocking. He charged me a pint to replace it. A big difference from £250.

Halford's charge a premium for parts and labour and a lot more than the garages I named above. If you don't mind being parted from your hard earned cash, go to one of them.
 
From Linthorpe Road, turn into Albert terrace, take the first alley on the right, 10 yards down at the end, behind the old British Legion Club, the 2 chaps that run that garage are Polish, but what they don't know about cars is not worth knowing about. Top lads who will sort you and won't charge you the earth.
 
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