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

Your car's safety and roadworthiness is dependent on the “safety triangle,” consisting of the vehicle's ‘stopping, steering and stability' capabilities.

The suspension and shock absorbers are not just there to give you a smooth ride, they are integral for the correct operation of these three critical capabilities, therefore keeping you, your passengers and other road users safe. Regular servicing and maintenance can help to prevent problems, but if you notice anything amiss, contact us ASAP to get it checked out.

We are located in West Ryde and serve customers in the surrounding areas as well.

Top Quality: As a part of the Repco Authorised Service Centre network all of the work we perform is backed by the Repco Nationwide Warranty.

The Right Parts: Our mechanics are kept up on all the latest parts thanks to Repco service bulletins. Additionally, we have access to the Repco spare parts network which means we can find you the right part at the right price.

The Best Team: Our mechanics are well versed in many different makes and models. From a fleet of vehicles to the family car, we are here for you.

An important part of keeping all aspects of your vehicle working properly is to stick to your regular Log Book servicing schedule. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms you should get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible;

Nose diving and swerving - bonnet dips when braking or slowing down

Car rocks and rolls over bumps and doesn't hug bends when cornering

Our suspension and shock absorber services include inspection, diagnosis, repairs and replacements so we'll have your car fixed and back on the road time. Don't delay, book today.

Some of your suspension & shock absorber's important parts include

Springs - Springs are designed to absorb energy and there are several different types including leaf, coil, torsion bar or air assisted springs. The springs on different types of cars will be set up to different levels. Luxury cars, for example, may have soft springs to produce a smoother ride but this results in more body movement when the car brakes and corners. Sports cars, on the other hand, tend to have tighter springs which allow for more aggressive driving, including around corners, but also mean a less smooth ride.

Shock absorbers - these dissipate the energy absorbed by the springs. The car would not work properly without the shock absorbers because the springs would cause it to bounce up and down when you go over a bump rather than absorb that bump.

Strut - this is a shock absorber mounted inside a coil spring. Struts do the job of the springs and shock absorbers plus provide additional structural support for the suspension system.

Anti-sway bar - spans the width of the axle and joins the two sides of the suspension together to provide stability to the car while it is moving.

For high quality Suspension & Shock Absorber Services at a competitive price, contact us using the links below. We are located at 924 Victoria Road and service many customers in West Ryde and the surrounding areas.

Get more useful information in Repco's Shock Absorbers Auto Facts Video

Suspension and Shock Absorber Services in West Ryde

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

Wheel balance refers to how smoothly an individual wheel rotates around its own centre. Unbalanced wheels can cause other parts of your car to wear down faster - such as shock absorbers, struts and steering. If your wheels are not balanced properly it can affect the overall performance and feel of your car. 

Your steering wheel or car vibrates at high speed.

Your tyres have had some rough treatment such as potholes or extremely rough roads. 

Col Harrison Automotive are fully equipped to balance your wheels - if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to make a booking today. 

Wheel balance refers to how smoothly an individual wheel rotates around its own centre.

Wheel Balancing in West Ryde

Wheel Balancing

AAAA

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

Wheel Balancing

You might need a wheel balance when:

Related articles

Brake maintenance - What's stopping you

How's your safety triangle?

Clutch service in West Ryde