How to check brake pads for Optimal Braking Performance
Is it time to replace your brakes? Checking your vehicle for brake pad wear may seem a little daunting but let me reassure you, it can be easy if you know what you’re doing.
Follow the steps below to learn how to inspect and assess your brake pads by yourself. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a mechanic to do this, just a bit of bravery and some common sense will do.
First things first, what are brake pads?
Brake pads play a huge part in your car’s ability to function safely. They are the parts of your brake system that come in contact with your brake rotors to stop your car when you press the brake pedal.
Front brakes do over 90% of the braking in your vehicle while rear brakes keep your vehicle from swerving from side to side. Over time the brake pad thickness wears. Brake pads wear and that’s normal. They’re like the shoes of your car’s brake system, and just like shoes, they need to be replaced every so often. If a brake pad wears too much before being replaced it will wear right down to the metal which will subsequently result in damaged rotors.
Ensuring that your brake pads are in good shape is imperative to the safe operation of your vehicle. Driving around with worn brake pads can affect the overall braking system while damaging your calipers and brake rotors, along with your tyres and in general a slow response time that affects your vehicles stopping power leading to brake failure. This quick and easy guide will show you just how easy it is and point you in the right direction if you still need more help.
Below you will find out how to conduct a visual inspection of your brake pads and identify whether or not it’s time for new brake pads in your car.
Replacing your brake pads
Some tell tale signs that your brakes may need replacing include:
Squeaking
If when stopping your car you hear a high-pitched squeaking sound every time you apply them, it’s a good indicator that your brake pads are worn out. Wear indicators, which are metal tabs located near the top of your typical brake pad, are a feature in most, but not all, brake pads. Their purpose is to emit a screeching sound when the brake pads have worn down to a dangerous level.
The indicators scrape against the rotor, producing a distinctive squealing noise that alerts you that your brake pad is close to complete erosion and it might be time for a new brake pad. Knowing whether or not it’s time to book your car in for a service could be as easy as listening out for the tell tale signs mentioned above.
Grinding
If you hear a grinding noise when you are stopping your car it’s a sign that the brake pads are worn down to the metal, and it’s time for an immediate brake pad replacement. Grinding noises in a brake pad are usually a sign of metal on metal contact, indicating that the brake pads have worn down completely and the metal calipers and rotors are now rubbing against each other.
This can cause significant damage to the system and reduce its effectiveness. If you’re experiencing grinding noises in your brakes, it’s recommended to have them inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to avoid further damage and ensure safety.
Vibration
If you feel a vibration or pulsation in the brake pedal when you apply the brakes, it may be a sign of worn out brake pads or warped rotors. Friction generates heat and the brake pads and rotors work together to dissipate it. However, with time, the brake pads may lose their ability to transfer heat away from the rotors.
Driving in stop-and-go traffic or frequent sprinting can cause the rotors to overheat, leading to warping and high spots on the rotors. When you apply the brakes, the brake pads clamp onto bumpy rotors instead of smooth ones, causing vibrations to be transmitted through the brake pedal and car.
Slow stopping
The cause of slow stopping is usually worn out brake pads. As the brake pads wear down, they become thinner, causing the car to work harder to dissipate heat from braking, reducing the stopping force. This not only makes it difficult to stop but also affects your reaction time.
When you press the brake pedal, it pushes hydraulic fluid to the calipers, which then squeeze the brake pads against the rotor. If the pads are thin, it takes longer for the fluid to reach the pads. Replacing worn brake pads with new ones will significantly improve stopping performance. If any of these signs are relevant to you, it’s time to check your brake pads.
Checking brake pads
Now that you know what to look out for, here are some tips on how to check brake pads. To do this, you’ll need to pop open the hood and have a look at your brakes to determine the state of your brake pads. You can generally see the brake pads through the hole in the wheel without having the wheel removed in most cars.
- Locate the brake calipers: They are the metal units that clamp onto the brake rotor when you press the brake pedal.
- Look at the brake pads: You should be able to see the brake pads through the spaces between the caliper and the rotor. Your brake pads should be about 1/4 inch thick. If the pad thickness is thinner than that it might be time to replace your brake pads. If metal from the brake dust gets into the rotors it could cause damage.
- Check for uneven wear: If one brake pad is worn out more than the other brake pad, it’s a sign of a problem, and you should get a proper diagnosis by a mechanic.
You’ve just learned how to check your brake pads and make sure your car’s brakes are working properly. Now you can confidently say goodbye to squeaky brakes and hello to a safe and smooth ride. Checking your brake pads is a simple task that can go a long way in ensuring your car’s safety. So, go ahead, lift up the hood, and check out those brake pads! You might just surprise yourself with how handy you can be! If you’re still unsure or feeling a little overwhelmed you can always head into your local Natrad store so one of our qualified experts can take care of them for you.
To find your nearest Natrad store head on over to our website and pop in your postcode so we can conveniently point you in the right direction. Natrad have over 50 locations Australia wide and are Australia’s most trusted name in vehicle heating and air conditioning. Natrad service regular passenger cars, high performance vehicles and 4WD and offer a transparent service ensuring you’re updated every step of the way.
