North Idaho Location

Grinding, squeaking, pulsation, the floor of your car - do you feel any of this when stepping on your brakes? These are some of the signs that you may have a brake problem and need to get your brakes checked.

Golden Rule Brake provides a free brake inspection and a written estimate on all recommended brake repairs.

Do you wince every time you drive over a pothole? Struts incorporate a spring mechanism that takes most of the shock of the car when it hits a pothole, and some of the shock as it makes a turn. Struts are springs made of coiled metal or compressed gas that attach to the base of the wheel and the frame of the car. They prevent the wheel from damaging the carriage and reduce stress to the car frame.

Golden Rule Brake can make sure the struts are in working order, ensuring a smooth and safe ride.

Do you hear a clunking, rattling noise when driving? Is your wheel loose? Ball joints are a critical part of any car’s suspension and steering. They attach the wheel hub, which the wheel and tire are mounted to, to the rest of the suspension. This connection needs to be able to rotate horizontally for steering and vertically for shock absorption, hence the use of ball joints that can move in all directions.

While ball joints last for a long time, they do wear. The polished metal ball rides in a polished metal cage. Space between the two is filled with grease to reduce wear. However, if the grease leaks out of the ball joint or any dirt and impurities get into the grease, the ball joint may become worn or damaged. Golden Rule Brake can evaluate the ball joints and repair  them if needed.

How long has it been since you last checked your tire alignment? When your tire alignment is off, your ability to drive safely is compromised. Sometimes unaligned wheels can be obvious – your car pulls to one side of the road or you notice uneven tire wear. In some cases, your tires may be out of alignment and the common symptoms have not developed yet. That's why regular checkups are a must-do. The better maintenance you keep, the longer your car will run properly. If your car alignment feels off – or if it's simply been a while – come see us at Golden Rule Brake.

How bumpy of a ride do you enjoy? Shock absorbers are the part of a car's suspension system that dampens the vertical motions resulting from driving on bumpy roads so passengers are not jostled about.

The Shock absorbers work together with springs to absorb and dissipate vertical movement. When shock absorbers begin to wear out, they become less effective at handling the car's movements. This will lead to abnormal wear on your vehicle's tires and other components of the suspension system, affecting the car's handling.

Golden Rule Brake can inspect the shocks and repair them to help you have a smoother ride.

Have you noticed excessive vibrations during acceleration, or maybe humming sounds or an audible clunk when you speed up or slow down?

Constant-velocity (CV) joints are used to connect two rotating shafts that meet at an angle, allowing for power and torque to be transmitted from the engine to the wheel without causing too much commotion. They usually found on front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, helping power transfer more fluidly across wide angles. Generally, CV joints are resilient since they have protective rubber boots that prevent unnecessary wear and most CV joints should last approximately 100,000 miles. 

To determine if the CV joints might be worn, take the car for a test drive. Golden Rule Brake can help with the repair if you need it.

Does your car tend to wander even when driving down a straight highway, forcing you to make constant steering corrections?

Tracking rods, also known as tie rods, are an essential part of a car’s steering system. They literally "tie" the front wheels together so that they will turn together. As such, if a tie rod breaks or becomes disconnected, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly causing an accident. This makes the tie rod a safety item that needs to be checked regularly and replaced if excessively worn. Excessive wear affects the steering and handling of the vehicle, and may also cause uneven wear on the tires.

Golden Rule Brake can help you make sure that the tie rods are in working order and your car is safe to drive.