Brake Pads

Replacing brake pads,  a crucial element when it comes to vehicle safety, is not what it used to be. Government standards have changed and brake manufacturers have been making drastic improvements to the quality and diversity of brakes. Brake pads of various grades and price points are now an issue, whereas before a mechanic would simply replace your old brake pads with new ones of the same type. The biggest advantage is, changing breaks is cheap!! $400 value for $20!

Slow Down!

There are two types of brakes: drum and disc. The majority of cars today use disc brakes. Brake pads themselves generate the friction that slows the car. The material hits the rotors, causing friction and slowing the car. As you can imagine, brake pads get a substantial amount of wear and tear, thus they need to be replaced frequently.

SCREECH!

That is a sound that you don't want to hear. Either when braking or not, a high-pitched screeching sound is a way of telling that the metal from the rotor is being hit by a metal indicator, which means it's time to replace those brake pads! If you hear grinding when you press the brakes, then you know that you are way overdue for some replacement brake pads. You may also notice the following: the car leans or pulls to one side when braking, the brakes grab and vibrate, or the brake pedal itself feels softer than usual. Also, any unusual smells, such as burning brakes, are definitely not a good sign.

Brake Pad Types

Semimetallic Brake Pads 

  • Composed of steel wool or wire, iron powder, copper, and/or graphite plus organic fillers.
  • Durable.
  • Good heat transfer.
  • Wears down the rotors quickly.
  • Noisy.
  • Not good in cold climates.

Nonasbestos Organic 

  • Mixed nonasbestos with glass, rubber, carbon, Kevlar, fillers, and resins.
  • Less noisy.
  • Softer on the rotors.
  • Create more dust.

Low-Metallic NAO 

  • Organically made with copper or steel.
  • Good heat transfer.
  • Reliable braking.
  • More dust.
  • Noisy.

Ceramic 

  • Made with ceramic fibers, nonferrous fillers, bonding agents, and metal.
  • Expensive.
  • Clean.
  • Quiet.
  • Easy on the rotors.
  • Reliable braking.

Buying the Right Brake Pads

Be very careful when buying brake pads because the packaging can be deceptive, even within one brand. The manufacturers don't tell what brake pads are best for which cars, so you will have to be very informed before buying anything. Also, arm yourself with some know-how before talking to a mechanic about new brake pads.

  1. Just because one brake pad costs more than another doesn't make it any safer or better suited to your car.
  2. Certified brake pads are standard, safe, and sufficient for most consumers who drive under normal conditions.
  3. Upgraded brake pads are unnecessary for the average driver and will just make braking harder and noisier.
  4. Towing heavy loads and driving in steep terrain requires heavier-duty brake pads.
  5. Don't skimp -- when replacing pads do both the front AND the back to improve braking performance.

Finding Certified Brake Pads

  • This is very important. It will ensure that your replacement pads are just as safe as the originals.
  • There are two types of voluntary certification, the D3EA and BEEP. The D3EA is considered the higher standard since BEEP was created by brake pad manufacturers.

Some Brands

External Links

  • CarParts.com- This is a great site to search for very specific car replacement parts and more.
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