Alton 4x4 - the off road 4x4 car specialist in Alton
T 01420 259015
Email: info@ajlandrover.com
Alton 4x4
Unit 5B Blacknest Industrial Estate, Blacknest, Alton, GU34 4PX
We are a friendly and honest independent garage providing professional auto services for customers based in Hampshire. Our team of highly skilled and experienced technicians are dedicated to setting high standards of customer care with exceptional levels of servicing and repairs at competitive rates.
All Makes & Models
Our technicians are specialists in repairs for all the major marques of 4×4 but we welcome any make or model and love a challenge.
- BMW
- Isuzu
- Jeep
- Land Rover
- Mercedes
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Range Rover
- Suzuki
- Toyota
All Repairs
No job is too big or too small. We cater for all types of mechanical repairs from minor items such as replacing a bulb right to through to full engine overhaul.
- Brake Repair
- Clutch Replacement
- Fluid Levels
- Head Gasket
- Light Change
- Shaft Seals
- Steering Repair
- Suspension Repair
- Transmission Repair
- Wiper Blades
All Areas
Based close to the A31 Alton 4×4 are well positioned to offer recovery assistance should you be unable to drive to our workshop. We can recover your vehicle from areas across Hampshire and Surrey including:
- Alton, Aldershot, Alresford
- Bordon, Basingstoke
- Farnham, Fleet
- Godalming, Guildford
- Haslemere, Hindhead, Hook
- Liphook
- Petersfield
- Winchester
When To Replace Your Brakes
Brakes are a vital component of your vehicle’s safety system and it is advisable to ensure your brakes are regularly checked to ensure they are in good condition. The disc brakes are engaged when you apply pressure to the brake pedal – the brake pad presses against the brake rotor causing friction which slows the rotation down before coming to a halt. Brakes pads are in constant use so eventually get worn down, on average they will require changing every 40,000- 50,000 miles or when the pad thickness has deteriorated to 3-4mm. However this can vary depending on a number of factors:
Driving habits – some drivers may be ‘heavy footed’ and press their brakes abruptly, others apply a gradual pressure to the brakes which increases the life span.
Environment – drivers in cities will encounter more traffic lights than longer distance drivers and will engage the brakes more frequently. Your driving environment can have a positive or negative effect on the rate in which your brakes wear down.
Brake Pad Material – the durability of your brakes is effected in part by the material of your brake pad. Brakes pads can be made from a hard or soft compound – hard pads last longer but often need ‘warming’ to operate effectively and are usually found on performance cars, soft compound pads are suited to lower speed driving.
Signs Your Brakes Need Replacing
If you stick to a regular servicing interval schedule, then your garage will inform you of significant deterioration of your brakes. However there are some warning signs to be aware of which make diagnosis and repairs straight forward:
Squeaking or Squealing noise when you apply the brakes. This is one of the first indicators that your brake pads need replacing – tiny metal hairs at the very bottom of the brake pad act as an alert to the driver to know when they are about to run out of friction.
Grinding noise. Once your pads have worn down significantly a grinding noise will replace the squeaking noise – this usually indicates that your rotors are in danger of being damaged and if left will increase the repair costs to your vehicle.
Vibration when applying the brakes – brake pedal vibration indicates that your rotors may be warped which will cause uneven brake pad wear.
Brakes slow to respond – if you experience a loss of brake performance this can indicate that your brake pads have worn through or your brake fluid level is too low (possibly due to a leak). It is vital that your brakes are always able to respond quickly to reduce stopping distance and avoid potential injury to yourself or others.
Dashboard Warning Indicator – modern cars are often fitted with a wear indicator on your dashboard, if activated you should get your brakes assessed by a professional mechanic who will also be able to reset the warning light.
Vehicle pulls to one side when braking – this can indicate seizure of one brake calliper on it’s mounting.