In disc brakes, each disc rotor typically has two brake pads that function together. A caliper attached to the wheel hub or suspension upright holds them in place and controls their movement. However, for the best performance, racing calipers might use up to six different types of pads with different frictional properties arranged in a staggered pattern.
What is a brake pad?
The brake pad is a thin block that presses against the disc in a disc brake, typically one of a pair. In automobiles and other applications, brake pads are a component of disc brakes. Steel backing plates make up brake pads, and friction material adheres to the surface facing the disc brake rotors. Each wheel’s brake caliper, brake disc, and brake pads make up the usual vehicle braking system.
The caliper is designed to hold the pads, which have their friction material virtually touching the brake disc’s two sides. Hydraulic fluid in the caliper pushes each brake pad on either side of the rotating brake disc when the brake pedal is depressed. The friction that arises from this causes the car to slow down and eventually stop.
What are the types of brake pads?
Here are the most common types of brake pads:
Non-metallic (organic)
Non-metallic brake pads are the softest type of brake pad available. They are produced and cured to withstand a significant amount of heat and are composed of various combinations of glasses, rubbers, and resins like cellulose as well as a sparse amount of metal fibres.
The resulting composite is soft and quickly degrades, yet it is kind on brake discs. They are therefore inadequate for use in any situation other than daily road driving, and even then, a more metal-based pad is recommended to prevent needing to replace them frequently.
Semi-metallic
The majority of the cars sold nowadays come with these types of brake pads. To create a hybrid compound that is primarily made of metals, they combine synthetic materials and metals. Once the fibers’ composition has been determined, an organic resin is used to bind them together. To increase their durability, they are then molded into certain forms and baked for three to five hours in a furnace.
However, because metal has a lower friction coefficient at low temperatures than the more malleable synthetic material, slightly more pedal force is required to produce the same braking force with the semi-metallic pads when cold. This is because metal has a lower thermal conductivity than the purely organic variants.
Ceramic
But, if brake fades still occur with a set of steel brake pads as a result of overheating, then investing in a set of full ceramic brake pads would be worthwhile. The ceramic compound employed in these high-spec pads, which are only available for the priciest supercars because of the sheer cost of production, is incredibly effective at absorbing heat from very hard, continuous, violent braking.
This means that they can continuously recover from any demands made on them, including those in activities like endurance racing. However, because of this characteristic, ceramics can be challenging to warm up to operating temperature, which can be problematic for daily driving.
How often should you change your brake pads?
To keep wear to a minimum, you should generally change your brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. To maintain the best possible condition of your brakes, you should replace your rotors every 50,000 to 70,000 miles. Typically, brake pads need to be replaced on a regular basis (depending on the pad material).
Most brake pads have a mechanism in place to warn the driver when this is needed. Making a small central groove that eventually disappears due to wear is a frequent technique for indicating when a pad has reached the end of its useful life.
Other techniques include incorporating a tiny piece of soft metal into a groove, which makes the brakes squeal when uncovered as a result of wear. Furthermore, a soft metal wear tab that closes an electrical circuit when the brake pad wears down can be incorporated into the pad material, which will illuminate a dashboard warning light.
What’s the ideal brake pad thickness?
Your brake pads should ideally be thicker than 6.4 mm (1/4 inch) for optimal performance. If it is thinner than this, then consider replacing it right away. The majority of auto mechanics also concur that 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) is the absolute minimum brake pad thickness. If the brake pads are any thinner, you must replace them right away to prevent brake failure.
The amount of brake pad wear that develops is influenced by your car, your driving habits, and the state of the roads. For instance, you might use your brake pedal more often if you frequently drive in heavy commuter traffic that entails a lot of starting and stopping.
How do you tell that it’s time to change your brake pads?
Here are the most common signs and symptoms that it’s time to change your brake pads:
- Brake wear indicator
- Grinding or squealing noise
- Spongy Brake Pedal
- The brake rotor surface appears to have severe scratches
- Longer brake distance
How much does brake pad replacement cost?
Parts typically cost between $35 and $150.
For each axle, labor costs typically range from $80 to $120. Between $115 to $300 (parts + labor) is typically spent on each axle to replace the brake pads. Most automobiles have two axes. A larger vehicle with more wheels and passengers may have more axles. Every mechanic has a different hourly rate, and every manufacturer sets the cost of their parts based on the materials used.
