Brake repair
done right, done today.
Hawthorne's brake shop since 1991. Ceramic pads, machined rotors, rebuilt calipers, ABS diagnostics, and full brake fluid flushes. Free inspection. Same-day service on most cars.
Brake job starting prices
Most domestic & Asian cars. Performance, European, and HD trucks quoted on arrival. All pricing includes parts, labor, hardware kit, and road test.
Time to come in
Squealing or grinding
Squeal = pad wear indicator. Grind = metal-on-metal, rotor damage starting. Stop driving on it.
Pulsing pedal
Warped rotors or stuck caliper slides. Causes longer stops and uneven pad wear.
Pull to one side
Sticking caliper or collapsed brake hose. Dangerous in panic stops.
Soft or sinking pedal
Air in lines, leaking master cylinder, or boiled brake fluid. Safety-critical.
Brake or ABS warning light
Low pad sensor, low fluid, or wheel speed sensor fault. We scan free.
Burning smell after a hill
Stuck caliper or dragging pads cooking the fluid. Comes in for inspection same day.
How we do a brake job
- 01
Free visual inspection — wheels off, pads and rotors measured with a micrometer.
- 02
Written quote with actual measurements. If pads are fine, we tell you and you pay nothing.
- 03
OE-quality ceramic pads, new hardware kit, slide pins cleaned and re-lubed.
- 04
Rotors resurfaced or replaced based on thickness spec — no guessing.
- 05
Caliper inspection: stuck pistons rebuilt, not just hammered back.
- 06
Brake fluid checked and flushed if dirty or over 2 years old.
- 07
Lug nuts torqued to spec, pads bedded on a road test, pedal feel confirmed.
Us vs the chains
| Custom M&B | Chain shop | |
|---|---|---|
| Free inspection | Yes, measured | Often $30+ |
| Pad quality | Ceramic OE+ | Economy |
| Hardware kit | Always new | Reused |
| Caliper service | Rebuilt if needed | Replaced (upsell) |
| Warranty | 24mo / 24k mi | 12mo / 12k mi |
| Same-day | Most jobs | Often next-day |
| Family-owned since | 1991 | — |
Brake repair near you
Located in Hawthorne off I-405 & I-105. We're the local brake shop for drivers across the South Bay.
Brake questions, answered
How much does a brake job cost in Hawthorne?
Most front brake jobs at Custom Muffler and Brakes run $185–$385 per axle with ceramic pads and new rotors. Exotic, performance, and heavy-duty trucks vary. We give you the actual measured pad and rotor numbers before quoting — no upsell.
How long does a brake job take?
A standard pad-and-rotor replacement on one axle takes 60–90 minutes once the car is on the lift. Drop off in the morning and most brake jobs are ready by lunch.
Do I need new rotors with new pads?
Not always. If your rotors are above minimum thickness and have no heat checks, grooves, or runout, we resurface or reuse them and tell you so. We measure with a micrometer, not a sales script.
What brake pad brands do you use?
We stock Akebono, Bosch, Wagner, Power Stop, and OE-equivalent ceramic and semi-metallic pads. Performance and track compounds available on request.
How often should brake fluid be flushed?
Every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Brake fluid is hygroscopic — it pulls moisture out of the air, which corrodes ABS modules and drops your pedal under heavy use.
Do you do same-day brake service?
Yes — most brake jobs dropped off before 11 AM are done the same day. Call ahead at (310) 973-7045 so we can stage your parts.
Brakes feeling off?
Free inspection. Honest quote. Same-day service. Call or book online — we'll have you stopping straight again today.