Brake Technician
Vs.
Part Changer
Problem:
What happens when you diagnose a problem by trying to throw parts at the car to fix it instead of diagnosing the issue correctly? Does this happen in your shop with some of your technicians? What is your customer’s reaction when this happens?
Cause:
The majority of people servicing brakes have obtained most of their knowledge on the job. While hands on experience is sometimes the best teacher, it cannot always provide the knowledge that is necessary to understand the inner workings of the various brake parts and systems. Without this understanding, accurate diagnosis can be extremely difficult if not impossible.
Solution:
In the eyes of most technicians and consumers, the brake system is relatively simple. Disc brakes in the front and drum or disc brakes in the rear. “Throw” a set of pads on it and it will be fine. This oversimplification of the brake system leads to many of the problems that are encountered.
The brake system is a complex system. It has many components which are dependent upon one another to function properly. The key word is “system”. They work together to stop the vehicle. When one part of the system is not working properly, then other parts of the system will be affected. There is a direct relationship between how good a technician is and how much they know about how each part in the system works.
Accurate brake system diagnosis depends on having a clear understanding of:
How does each part work?
What can go wrong?
What will that cause?
Many technicians servicing brake systems do not have a good enough handle on the first point listed above, how each part works. Without this the technicians will be faced with replacing parts to try and correct a problem. This is the definition of a “parts changer”. Brake technicians have a clear understanding of each part in the system and how it relates to the overall system operation. This gives them the ability to understand what can go wrong with the part and what it will cause. They use this in applying a logical approach to the diagnosis of the various brake problems they encounter.
Technicians must constantly seek out new sources of information. These tips and blog posts are examples of where to get the kind of information necessary to allow accurate diagnosis of many different brake problems. Other resources include trade publications, seminars, webinars, and the internet (many resources here with YouTube, Facebook, Automotive Forums, etc...). With the constant advancement of vehicle technology, the learning process will never be over. We hope that you will keep coming back for our Tech Tips Blog Posts.
1 comment
I took my car in to my mechanic to have maintenance done in June of this year. My car is a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. I take it in every 6 months to have the oil and filter change, have the brakes checked, cooling system checked, etc. I specifically told the mechanic to check the pads, rotors, caliper and lines. Two months later (in August) while driving I had no brakes — my foot went completely to the floor. I thought it was just the brake line broke and I lost fluid. I took the car to the nearest mechanic and after looking at it he said I needed new pads, lines (front and back), rotors, brake caliper. Now I wondering if my mechanic had even bothered to check everything I asked him to concerning my brakes. If he had, wouldn’t he have noticed that my brakes were in bad shape. I don’t know the mechanic who did the work on my car concerning my brakes, but it was an emergency type situation so I let him fix them. I didn’t feel I had any other choice. I’m not even sure that the 2nd mechanic actually did the work he said he did. I guess I more concerned about whether my mechanic even checked the brakes as I asked. What would you think?