Its never a good idea to gamble with your safety. When thinking of brake systems, it is a bad idea to ignore them until brake repairs become crucial.

Your car's various braking systems play an important role in keeping you and your family safe while driving and it is important to make sure your car is in a safe and working order. 

Odd noises and abnormal behaviours while braking might not seem to be an immediate cause for concern, but braking safely is not something you should gamble with. Stopping power is at it's most important when you need to stop in an emergency situation and your brakes need to be performing at their best when you really need them.

We recommend getting your brakes checked out if you notice anything out of the ordinary, just to be on the safe side. Odd sounds and behaviours may be signs of very serious problems which, if not attended to, could have significant repercussions, not the least of which is brake failure. 

Routine inspection as part of our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, which is included with any full car service handled by Col Harrison Automotive, are important in making certain your brakes are prepared to stop you in time. Our expert service team can be relied on to inform you when they feel that servicing or repairs of the brakes are necessary before it turns into a costly issue.

Brake services available at Col Harrison Automotive include:

Rotor And Drum/Brake Disc Resurfacing or Machining

Common brake problems Col Harrison Automotive encounter

Brake pedal goes lower than it used to, even all the way to the floor - this usually means you are losing pressure in your system somewhere, such as the brake lines, the master cylinder or your wheel cylinders 

Brake pedal seems "spongy" - this usually means you have air in your brake lines. The brake lines will need to be inspected for leaks, drained then refilled with brake fluid 

Brake pedal is hard to push down - you probably have a problem with your brake's power booster. This is a component designed to boost the force you apply to the brake pedal to the level needed to stop the car 

Your brakes make a squealing sound, especially when stopping short - there are several possible causes for this kind of noise but it often means your brake pads need replacing. The brake pads press into the wheels and use the resulting friction to bring them to a stop. The same friction measns that brake pads will wear out over time 

The steering wheel shudders when you brake - this probably means that the rotors (on the front brakes) or drums (on the back brakes) have worn or warped unevenly. These may need to be machined back into shape or in some cases may need to be replaced 

The car pulls to one side when you brake - this is an indication that a brake on one side of the car is not working properly. The car will pull to the side of the brake that IS working correctly because that is the one doing all the work. There could be any number of reasons one brake is not working correctly, some common causes include leaks in your brake lines, a problem with pistons, wheel cylinders or the brake pads 

Get more information about Brake Services from Repco Authorised Service Here.

If you have any warning signals that your brakes might need a service or repair it's simple to book online to get your brakes checked via our West Ryde car service workshop today.

Organise a Brake Service in West Ryde NSW. For immediately superior braking performance insist on next generation Repco RCT pads and a nationwide warranty …

Brake Service in West Ryde

Brake fluid transfers the pressure you put on the brake pedal through to the actual brakes.
Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work. As everyone knows - not having brakes is a huge problem! In fact even slightly affected brakes are very dangerous.


Brake fluid absorbs moisture very easily. Brake fluids are also subject to very high temperatures and so they are designed to have a high boiling point to stop them from boiling and evaporating- when brake fluid has accumulated too much moisture- this lowers its boiling point and it can boil off more easily causing low levels. Low levels of brake fluid affect your braking performance and could mean your car will fail to stop.
Brake Fluid that has absorbed too much moisture will also shorten the life of your braking system including damaging the callipers, wheel cylinders and anti-lock braking systems.

Why is brake fluid replacement necessary?

Your manufacturer's log book will advise how regularly your brake fluid should be changed or flushed, we recommend a drain and replacement every two years however it is wise to have it regularly checked by an expert at every service to make sure the levels are not reducing too fast (a sign of a leak) or that the moisture levels have not reached a point that could be damaging your system.

How often should I replace my brake fluid?

At Col Harrison Automotive we offer a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, upon request, with every full car service which includes a written review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and back discs and pads, callipers and cylinders and more. This inspection helps to identify any issues in your vehicle which should be addressed and our mechanics will certainly advise you if they feel your vehicle might need a brake fluid replacement, or an out of schedule brake system service or repairs.

Do you check the brake fluids during a car service?

Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work.

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it? 

Whether your clutch plate, clutch disc or flywheel needs to be replaced, you want to be back on the road fast.

Our West Ryde workshop is able to take care of everything from the smallest bearing problem or full transmission recondition, through to service and clutch replacements.

As a Repco Authorised Service Centre you can rest assured our Service team goes through the highest level of training via Repco Auto-Tech. Col Harrison Automotive perform clutch services, repairs and replacements for all major makes and models, fully backed by an extensive Nationwide Warranty. 

A Col Harrison Automotive Clutch Repair or Service may Include:  

Knowing what is causing unusual vibrations or strange sounds in your car is a crucial first step to solving any clutch issues. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms of potential clutch failure, call Col Harrison Automotive and ask about a Clutch Service. 

Symptoms of problems related to the clutch 

Excessive Engine Revs: A slipping clutch can prevent the clutch disc and clutch flywheel from rotating in unison, which can lead to clutch plate damage

Clutch Vibration: When the clutch is released it should be smooth. If vibrations are evident it could be a sign of a damaged disc, damaged flywheel or loose engine mounts. You should get a mechanic to check it

Noise When Engaging the Clutch Pedal: A loud squeal could indicate that the bearings are damaged. A clutch which grinds when engaging could indicate a problem with the spinning pressure of the clutch disc or flywheel and may directly relate to the throw-out bearing

Car Stalling: If there is an issue switching into neutral after being in gear, up to and including the vehicle stalling, there may be a problem with the hydraulic system not allowing for the correct disengaging of the clutch 

Because of the difference in operation, manual transmissions will wear differently than automatic transmissions. Generally speaking, the type of driving undertaken, frequency of gear changing and the overall amount of time spent driving will all affect the life of both the clutch and transmission. 


Your clutch relies on many different parts such as the pedal, release fork, diaphragm spring, pressure plate, and clutch plate. General wear and tear can affect any of these components and bring the whole system down. Call Col Harrison Automotive for a clutch service to avoid a costly clutch repair later.

Flywheel - stores rotational energy of the engine while the transmission is disengaged

Clutch plate/disk - presses against fly wheel

Pressure plate - pushed into the clutch plate

Throw-out bearing (aka clutch release bearing) - is pressed against the middle of the diaphragm spring to disengage the clutch

Release fork - presses throw-out bearing when clutch pedal is pressed

Diaphragm springs - push pressure plate against clutch disc when foot is off of clutch pedal

Pins (aka studs) - cause the diaphragm spring to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch disc when centre of spring is pushed in - this releases the clutch from the spinning engine

Book your clutch service with the experts at Col Harrison Automotive today!

Clutch service in West Ryde

When it comes to brakes, you should never wait until brake repairs are necessary.  

Proper testing and routine checkups, such as our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection which we provide with all full car services, are important to ensure your vehicle's brake system is in top condition. Our expert team of technicians will be happy to advise you when they suspect that service or repair of your brake system is indicated to stop it becoming a bigger issue.

Brake services we perform at Col Harrison Automotive include:

Brake Disc/Rotor and Drum Resurfacing or Machining

If you recognise any symptoms that your car's braking system could possibly need service or repairs simply book online with us and have the brakes of your vehicle assessed through our West Ryde workshop today.

When it comes to brakes, you should'nt wait until brake repairs are necessary, get tested regularly.  

Brake and Clutch Service in West Ryde

Brake and Clutch

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We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Friday the 15th of December and reopening on Monday the 8th of January

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the public holiday on the 2nd of October. Apologies for any inconvenience.

We also wish to advise that we will be closed for renovations from COB the 15th of December and reopening on Monday the 8th of January 2024.

Col Harrison Automotive (LIC# MVRL22716) take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 
		
Conveniently located in West Ryde, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 
		
Col Harrison Automotive have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Col Harrison Automotive

Brake and clutch

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