Denver Auto Repair

Driving through Colorado's diverse terrain demands more from your vehicle, especially when it comes to your brakes. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various brake services that all Colorado drivers need at one point or another. Our brake services, offered at Hotchkiss Auto Repair in Denver, address specific challenges like Colorado’s mountain driving and seasonal changes. Understanding Your Brake Needs 1. Rotor Replacement Colorado's mountainous roads put additional stress on your brake system, leading to wear and tear on essential components like rotors. Regular inspections and timely rotor replacements are crucial to ensure optimal braking performance, preventing pulsations and vibrations during mountain descents. We also recommend avoiding resurfacing old rotors given the unique driving and climate conditions in Colorado. Learn more about rotor pulsation and the difference between rotors and drum brakes on our ... read more

There are two types of hydraulic brakes that your vehicle can have, and in some cases, you may have both options at work in your car. The most common style of brakes is the disc brake that works off the brake pads pressing in towards the rotor and the friction will cause the car to slow and stop. The second option you can have is drum brakes, where the brake shoes are inside of the brake drum and will press out to cause friction against the brake drum resulting in slowing and stopping of your vehicle. Unlike disc brakes that can be found on all 4 corners of a vehicle, you will only find drum brakes on the rear axle of some vehicles.  Brief History Drum brakes were the first brake design invented in 1899 by Wilhelm Maybach and utilized by Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler. The names “Maybach” and “Daimler” are recognizable today and emblematic of two pioneers of the automotive industry. Although disc brakes were similarly around for decades, it was ... read more