Licensed technicians · Written estimates
Brake Repair & Service
Brakes are the one system on your car that gets tested every single time you drive, and in Peterborough they get tested hard. Parkhill Road East runs straight into stop-and-go traffic at Water Street, the hill down toward the Otonabee River loads the front rotors, and five months of road salt does the rest. Most of the brake work that comes through our bays on Parkhill is a direct result of that combination: salt-seized calliper slides, rusted rotor edges, and pads that wore unevenly because one side of the calliper stopped floating.
We start every brake job with a measurement, not a quote. Pad thickness is checked at all four corners, rotors are measured for thickness and runout, callipers are pulled to check that the slide pins actually move, and the fluid is tested for moisture content. Then we tell you what needs doing now, what can safely wait a season, and what it will cost — before a wrench comes out.
What this service covers
- Front and rear brake pad and rotor replacement
- Calliper replacement, rebuild and slide-pin service
- Brake line and hose inspection and replacement
- Brake fluid moisture testing and flush
- Parking brake adjustment and cable service
- ABS warning light diagnosis and wheel-speed sensor testing
- Machining or replacing warped rotors
Signs it is time to book
- A squeal that appears when you first pull out in the morning and fades after a few stops
- Grinding — metal on metal means the pad material is gone and the rotor is being cut
- Steering wheel shudder when braking from highway speed on the 115
- A pedal that sinks slowly toward the floor at a red light
- The car pulling to one side under braking
- A brake or ABS light that stays lit after startup
Every job starts with an inspection and a written estimate. Nothing gets done without your approval — call (705) 748-4223 or drop the vehicle at 485 Parkhill Rd E, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 1C2.
Current specials you can use on this job
10% off premium brake pads
Save 10% on premium brake pads when we fit them during a brake service. Coupon valid to December 31, 2026.
Coupons must be presented at the time of service — printed or on a mobile device. Offers may not be combined, and one coupon may be used per vehicle per visit. See all specials and coupon terms.
Brake Repair & Service — the questions we get asked most
- How long do brake pads last on Peterborough roads?
- Most drivers here get 50,000 to 80,000 km from a set of front pads. City driving on Lansdowne, George and Water Street shortens that; a mostly-highway commute down the 115 to Oshawa stretches it. We measure at every oil change so you get warning long before it becomes a rotor replacement.
- Why do my brakes squeal on cold winter mornings?
- Overnight moisture leaves a light film of surface rust on the rotor face. The first few stops scrub it off and the noise disappears. That is normal. A squeal that persists after the car is warm, or that turns into a grind, is a wear indicator doing its job — book an inspection.
- Do I have to replace rotors every time I do pads?
- No. If the rotors measure above the manufacturer's minimum thickness, run true, and the friction surface is clean, new pads on existing rotors is a perfectly good repair. Around here the deciding factor is usually corrosion at the outer edge and in the vents from winter salt, not thickness.
- What does brake fluid have to do with anything?
- Brake fluid absorbs water out of the air. Once moisture content passes about 3 percent, the boiling point drops and the pedal goes soft under heavy or repeated braking — coming down a long grade with a loaded trailer, for example. We test fluid with a meter rather than guessing by colour.
- My steering wheel shakes when I brake. Is that warped rotors?
- Usually it is uneven pad deposit or thickness variation across the rotor rather than a literally bent disc. Either way it is measured with a dial indicator on the car. Sometimes it is a wheel bearing or a suspension component instead, which is why we check before we sell you rotors.
- How much does a brake job cost?
- It depends on the vehicle and how far the wear has gone — pads only, pads and rotors, or pads, rotors and a seized calliper. We inspect, measure, and give you a written estimate before starting. No work happens without your approval.
- Can you service the brakes on my hybrid or EV?
- Yes. Regenerative braking means the friction brakes on a hybrid or EV do far less work, so pads often outlive the car — but callipers seize from disuse and corrosion. That is the common failure we see on EVs in this climate, and the fix is a slide-pin service, not new pads.
- How long will my car be in the shop?
- A straightforward front pad-and-rotor job is typically the same day. Seized callipers, rusted bleeder screws or a hard brake line replacement add time. We call you with a revised estimate before doing extra work.
Where we provide brake repair & service
The shop is at 485 Parkhill Rd E, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 1C2, and drivers come to us from across the region. Read how this work applies where you drive:
- Peterborough drivers
- Lakefield drivers
- Otonabee-South Monaghan drivers
- Millbrook drivers
- Norwood drivers
- Lindsay drivers
Related services at 4 Aces Auto Center
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What our customers say
“Very efficient in repairs even in difficult repairs. They try there best to get the vehicle on the road as fast as they can. Greatful to have a good repair shop to have my vehicle in good repair. Thank you for all your good work.”
“I needed a quick fix on my truck as I am a contractor and needed vehicle. I called 4 Aces and Chris got me in the next buisness day 1st thing in the morning. Was met with Smiles and coffee and excellent service. They had me fixed up and back on site the same morning. 5 Star Service at 4 Aces👍”
“They're awesome. After the bs I've been through with other garages and my car, it was a breathe of fresh air with these guys. Anytime no contact drop off, quick workers and chill as well. I'll be going back!”
“The staff at Four Aces was friendly and efficient. They addressed my problems immediately and had me back on the road in good time after checking the vehicle over for any other issues and reporting the results directly to me. Thank you for your continued service and caring in keeping my vehicle in good and safe shape.”
“I have been very pleased with the service I have received at 4 Aces Automotive Centre. They have solved problems that other facilities were not able to do. The pricing seems fair—certainly comparable to other centres. And they seem very friendly, knowledgable, efficient, and skilled. Once, when they had my car up on the hoist—performing a repair— they detected an additional—and serious—problem. Rather than just telling me what they had found, they took me out into the garage to show me the issue and suggested that I have an auto body expert look at the problem to determine if it could be safely resolved before I had 4 Aces proceed with some additional repairs. I trust their work and they seem to genuinely care about the safety of my vehicle.”
“Very efficient in repairs even in difficult repairs. They try there best to get the vehicle on the road as fast as they can. Greatful to have a good repair shop to have my vehicle in good repair. Thank you for all your good work.”
“I needed a quick fix on my truck as I am a contractor and needed vehicle. I called 4 Aces and Chris got me in the next buisness day 1st thing in the morning. Was met with Smiles and coffee and excellent service. They had me fixed up and back on site the same morning. 5 Star Service at 4 Aces👍”
“They're awesome. After the bs I've been through with other garages and my car, it was a breathe of fresh air with these guys. Anytime no contact drop off, quick workers and chill as well. I'll be going back!”
“The staff at Four Aces was friendly and efficient. They addressed my problems immediately and had me back on the road in good time after checking the vehicle over for any other issues and reporting the results directly to me. Thank you for your continued service and caring in keeping my vehicle in good and safe shape.”
“I have been very pleased with the service I have received at 4 Aces Automotive Centre. They have solved problems that other facilities were not able to do. The pricing seems fair—certainly comparable to other centres. And they seem very friendly, knowledgable, efficient, and skilled. Once, when they had my car up on the hoist—performing a repair— they detected an additional—and serious—problem. Rather than just telling me what they had found, they took me out into the garage to show me the issue and suggested that I have an auto body expert look at the problem to determine if it could be safely resolved before I had 4 Aces proceed with some additional repairs. I trust their work and they seem to genuinely care about the safety of my vehicle.”
Book brake repair & service
Tell us what the vehicle is doing and we will book the inspection, measure it properly and quote from the result. Drop-offs welcome at 485 Parkhill Rd E, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 1C2.
485 Parkhill Rd E, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 1C2 · Mon – Fri 8:00 – 5:00