Worn brake pads are an all too common occurrence in vehicle braking systems, often caused by regular use and friction with brake rotors.
As an integral component of vehicle stopping power, worn pads play an essential part in slowing or stopping your vehicle safely and timely maintenance is vital to ensure optimal braking performance.
Recognizing signs of worn pads is paramount to maintaining safe driving conditions as well as upholding optimal braking performance.
Symptoms Of Bad Or Worn Brake Pads
Certainly, here are some common symptoms that can indicate worn or bad brake pads:
#Squealing or screeching noises
Hearing high-pitched noises when applying the brakes is often the telltale sign that brake pads have worn out. Many pads feature wear indicators that generate an audible “squeal” as the end of their lifespan approaches, signaling when wear indicators should be replaced with new pads.
#Grinding or growling noises
If the brake pads have completely worn down, braking could produce a grinding or growling sound when trying to stop. This noise is caused by metal-on-metal contact between the caliper and rotor that could damage your braking system irreparably.
#Reduced braking performance
Worn brake pads can reduce braking performance, slowing your vehicle to stop or creating an uncomfortable soft/spongy pedal when pressing.
#Vibration or Pulsation while Braking
If your brake pads have worn unevenly or there has been damage to your rotor, vibrations or pulsations through your brake pedal could occur when stopping.
#Visible Wear on Brake Pads
Visual inspection is one way of inspecting brake pads; look through the wheel spokes to examine them. If they measure less than 1/4-inch thick, replacement should likely occur soon. Check for uneven wear patterns, excessive dust build-up or cracks on them as well.
#Dashboard brake warning light
Most modern vehicles contain a dashboard warning light which indicates when brake pads have become worn out and need replacement. When this light illuminates, your brakes must be checked immediately as soon as it appears on.
What’s The Function Of The Brake Pads?
Brake pads are an integral component of any vehicle’s braking system, creating friction to slow or stop its forward progress when applied. Pressing the brake pedal causes hydraulic pressure from brake fluid to force calipers onto brake rotors (or drums in older vehicles). Squeezing these pads against said surface causes it to create necessary friction that slows or stops your vehicle when applied.
Friction between brake pads and rotors converts kinetic energy from rotating wheels into heat energy, slowing or stopping the vehicle and providing safe deceleration. This process ensures controlled deceleration.
Brake pads are typically composed of organic compounds, semi-metallic materials, or ceramic formulations – materials chosen for their ability to withstand heat, and provide efficient friction and wear on both pads and rotor.
Engineered specifically to withstand substantial amounts of friction without impacting performance in various driving situations – these pads ensure reliable and consistent braking under all driving conditions.
Where Are The Brake Pads Located?
Brake pads are located inside a vehicle’s brake calipers, where they’re secured on either side of its rotating brake rotor and clamped to its surface when brakes are engaged. This setup enables frictional contact between the spinning rotor and brake pads that create enough force to slow or stop vehicle travel.
How Do You Inspect The Brake Pads?
Inspection of brake pads involves several steps.
- Visual Inspection: Remove the wheel for visual inspection of the brake pads’ thickness through their caliper opening or by taking other means (removing or opening ) directly.
- Wear Indicators: Many pads come equipped with wear indicators–small metal tabs–that when the pad wears down close to, an audible beep sounds signalling that replacement is required.
- Check for signs of uneven wear, cracking or significant thinning; these could all signal that replacement may be necessary.
- Measuring Thickness: For precise thickness measurement, utilize a brake pad measuring tool. Compare it against manufacturer specifications to ensure the pad fits within acceptable parameters.
