We are conveniently located 1 mile west of Interstate 90.
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Your Neighborhood Full Service Repair Facility
Closest Auto Repair Shop Off of Interstate 90 (1 Mile West)
April 16, 2017
Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Loves Park drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.
A regular brake inspection is on every Illinois driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Tuffy Rockford, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your Loves Park service center right away. And watch out for these problems:
There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.
There are several things that need to be serviced on the brake system. First, the brake pads and shoes wear out with use and become too thin to really help. If the brake pads wear away completely you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced, and that can be expensive. But putting it off is dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.
Brake fluid is also important. When the brakes are applied, the pressure in the fluid activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid, not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks and brake damage, and with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Loves Park drivers should change the brake fluid when their vehicle manufacturer recommends it.
Be sure to properly maintain your brakes because it's a lot cheaper than paying your nearest Loves Park area body shop after an accident.
Tuffy Rockford
6574 E. Riverside
Loves Park, Illinois 61111
815.639.1239
April 14, 2024
Today's Tuffy Rockford article focuses on severe service maintenance. Many Loves Park drivers are not aware of them and yet there are also very vocal advocates in Illinois who think that severe service schedules apply to everyone. Somewhere between a complete lack of awareness and the dire blank... More
April 7, 2024
With hotter weather and brutal heat waves becoming more common, the pressure in your vehicle's tires goes up. After all, heat causes air to expand, and the air in your tires follows the laws of physics. Overinflated tires can reduce your vehicle's traction, cause a hard, punishing ride and make ... More
March 31, 2024
Did you know that having a burned out headlight can result in your rearview mirror reflecting some flashing lights? In other words, you might get pulled over by the police for only having one working headlight, because in most places it's against the law. Not only is it illegal to drive with one... More
