Updated at: 31-03-2022 - By: micdot

The brake is possibly the most delicate portion of the car, as it is essential to the safety of everyone in the vehicle. In order to maintain this, it is necessary to do routine maintenance on all aspects of the brake system, including the disc brake system. The disc braking system’s brake pads are one component, and as such, they should be checked regularly to ensure that they are not worn to the point where they could cause damage to the other components or lead to unsafe driving.

Your brake pads should be checked at least once a year. You may visually inspect the brake pads by crawling under the car and looking at them. You’ll be able to see how thick the brake pads are from the outside. The following approach can be used to determine whether or not your brake pads need replacement:
Using a car jack and a wrench, remove the automobile’s front wheel. This is due to the fact that the brake pads may be accessed by removing the wheels. Disc brakes are installed there.

The disc brake system can be found. Once you’ve removed the wheel from the axle, you should be able to view it. In millimeters, use the tape measure and compass to measure the brake pads on your vehicle. Sporting the brake pads between the braking rotors and calipers will be possible. Using a compass and a tape measure, you can determine their thickness. Because most cars are intended to apply their braking force from the front, the front brake pads wear out more quickly than the back brake pads. As a result, you’ll be more aware of the need to replace them.

Brake pad wear and tear is largely influenced by factors such as driving behavior and the conditions in which the vehicle is driven. This video also aids in your comprehension:

How To Check Brake Pads While Driving

Brake pad condition can be checked without getting out of the car. Even while driving, there are ways to achieve this. Checking the condition of your brake pads while driving is possible in the following ways:
Brake pads that are worn out will make a noise that should serve as a notice that they need to be replaced, so keep an ear out for that sounds. Alternatively, a metallic indication may cause the vehicle to screech. When the brake pedal is pressed and the steering wheel is turned, If the brake pads react unnaturally when you press the brakes, your brake pads or rotors may be worn out. They may appear to be vibrating in a way that isn’t typical of pedals in this situation. As a result, a car’s steering wheel may vibrate when the brake pads are in bad condition. Brake pads may be to blame if the indicator light on the dashboard comes on even though you haven’t turned them on. When the brake pads are worn out, certain cars have innovative technology that activates their indicator lights. The brake pads are in bad shape, as seen by the warning flags listed above. Applying brakes in the rain can cause some noise, but you shouldn’t be frightened. The brake pads may not be to blame. Make sure to look for other indicators or seek a professional to investigate their condition if the noise continues. How to accomplish it without removing the brake pads is also shown in this video.

When Should You Check Your Brake Pads?

For the safety of you and people in your vehicle, brake pads should be inspected on a regular basis. Even while you’re focused on the distance covered, you may not be aware of the fact that your shoes are worn out. Despite the fact that most brake pads are meant to last for 50,000 miles, this is not always the case. When evaluating whether or not they’re worn out, there are a number of other elements to consider.

How to Change Rear Brake Pads (DIY) | Family Handyman

Simply crawling underneath the car and looking at the brake pads is all it takes to perform a brake pad inspection. Another option is to hire a mechanic or a professional to examine your vehicle, who will perform an excellent job due to their extensive training and expertise in the field. Additionally, they’ll check out other parts of the braking system to determine whether or not they’re in good or terrible shape. This will help ensure that the car is always safe.

4 Signs Can Tell If Your Brake Pads Are Bad

If you see any of these four indicators, it’s time to change your brake pads. As an example, if you hear squealing and screeching sounds while using your brakes, these are signs of brake failure. This is most commonly caused by a metallic shim embedded in the brake pads, which signals that the pads have worn out past a particular point. You should be concerned if you hear a metallic grinding and snarling sound coming from the disc brakes. Because the brake pads are nearly worn out and the brake calipers are in direct contact with the rotors, the friction between the metal parts is not ideal. Since the brake pads and rotors may possibly be in bad shape, you should have them replaced and have them checked out. Alternatively, you can examine the brake pads’ condition by simply crawling underneath the automobile. The brake pads are forced against a metallic disc-like portion, as can be seen between the tire spokes. Having them replaced when they are less than 3 mm thick is the best option.

Brake pad indicator lights can be found on some high-tech automobiles, indicating that the pads are in need of replacement. However, the light may come on even if you don’t manually turn it on on the dashboard. In addition, this article on when to replace brake pads can be of assistance..

Where Are The Brake Pads Located?

What is known as the disc braking system is where the car’s brake pads are located. To see the disc brake system, remove one of the car’s wheels from the axle and remove the wheel from the front or back. It appears to be affixed to the component that connects the wheels to the tires. The disc braking system consists of three parts: the rotors, the calipers, and the pads. When the calipers are joined to the rotor, they are observed to have a solid grasp on the huge metal disc that varies in design from one car to the next. The calipers and rotors are separated by the brake pads, which might be rubber, steel, or even ceramic. Because of the way they’re mounted, the rotors receive force from the calipers and the friction is dispersed equally, preventing uneven rotor wear. As a result, brake pads need to be replaced more frequently than other parts due to wear and tear.

Alternatively, they may be too worn out to perform their intended function, resulting in additional damage to the disc brake system.

How Thick Should Your Brake Pads Be?

Brake pads should not be less than 12 mm thick when they are purchased. This will last for 50,000 miles before needing to be replaced. Brake pads should have a minimum thickness of 3 mm to 4 mm, according to industry standards. Brake pads should come in this thinnest form. The rotors will take the brunt of the damage if the brake pads are worn below this point. There is a good chance that the brake pads will shatter, which is not ideal. The performance of each manufacturer’s products dictates the minimum thickness they recommend. You’ll also note that brake pads made from different materials will behave differently.

Can You Change Your Brake Pads By Yourself?

How To Change Replace Brake Pads Easy Simple - YouTube

Yes, replacing the brake pads is similar to replacing a tire. To do this, you’ll first need to lift the automobile up with the help of a good jack; then you’ll be able to remove the car wheel and reach the disc brake system. As a result, you’ll be able to monitor the state of the car’s braking system from here. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty or getting grease and oil on your skin, you can easily replace the brake pads.

Moreover, this solution is also very cost-effective and can be completed in less than an hour. A technician’s visit will not only be expensive, but it will also take time because they may be running late. It’s also possible that your car is in such bad shape that you’ll be unable to get it to a shop for repairs. You’ll learn a lot more about your vehicle and yourself if you do it yourself. Check out this post on how to replace brake pads for more information.

Conclusion

Keeping an eye on the state of your car’s brake pads is an essential part of keeping it safe. When this happens, it’s because the brake pads are worn down over time and finally become ineffective. Even if you’re driving and trying to hit the brakes, you’ll be able to tell. Early replacement of the brake pads is essential to prevent further damage to the car’s disc brake system. As an example, if the brake pads on the rotors are excessively thin, the rotors are harmed because they cannot minimize friction. Not only might this put you and your passengers in danger, but it will also raise the cost of repairs because you’ll have to replace the rotors as well.