Best Tips for Brake Pads Replacement on a Vehicles

You are driving on the highway at a speed of 100 Kmph and suddenly a dog darts in front of your car, what do you do? Obviously, you are going to apply the brakes to stop the car. Sounds easy, but is it that simple? Well, there is a lot more that goes into just stepping on the pedal to stop the vehicle. With this in view, you need to ensure that your brake pads are always in excellent condition. If you hear any squeaking and grinding sound from your vehicle, especially when you stomp on the brake pedal, do know that it’s time for brake pad replacement.

Signs that brake pads need to be replaced

- When you press on the brake pedal with your foot and the brake pedal starts pulsating or vibrating, you know for sure that your vehicle needs new brake pads. Brake pads get worn out over a period of time due to heat and they start pulsating. Be sure to take your vehicle to the mechanic who will re-machine your brake pads to solve the problem. If your brake pads are completely worn out and cannot be re-machined then you will have to replace your old brake pads with new ones.

- When you apply pressure on your brake pedal and it makes a clicking sound, it is definitely a sign that you need to replace your brake pads. Yes, manufacturers make sure that all vehicles are installed with a device that prevents the brake pads from clicking or rattling upon applying pressure on the brake pedal, but if it still makes the sound then you know for sure that the brake pads replacement.

- Apart from the clicking or rattling sound does your vehicle make a high-pitched screeching sound when you depress your brakes fully? What causes this sound? Well, when a small metal shim comes in contact with the brake rotor, this causes an unpleasant sound which is a definite indicator that your brake pads are worn out and you need to replace them.

- Do you hear a grinding or growling sound from your brakes when you apply pressure? Well, that’s a bad sign! The metal disc and the metal caliper are rubbing together; this is the sound of metal on metal. It means that not only are your brake pads completely worn out and need replacement but you also need to replace your rotors or get them fine-tuned by your trusted and qualified mechanic. Given these conditions, do look after your vehicle; do not let it reach a point where your brakes start to make a grinding or growling sound.

- Do you drive your own vehicle? If yes then you should know your vehicle well and should be able to do some minor repair work as and when required. There are some visual signs that indicate that your brake pads need replacement; for instance, when the brake pads are severely worn out then they are deep groove marks that are visible on the rotor and they look like the grooves on a gramophone record. If these grooves become deep then you will have to replace the rotor too. Therefore, you must try and do a thorough visual check-up of your brake pads so that they can be replaced in time.

- Is your vehicle pulling to one side of the road? This could mean that your brake pads need to be replaced. While applying brakes if your car is pulling to one side of the road even without turning the steering wheel then it is an indication that your brake pads are wearing out unevenly and brake pad replacement is essential.

Tools Required to Change the Brake Pads on your Own

Yes, it’s not that difficult! Maintenance work on your car costs money, so why not learn to do some of these small jobs yourself. It will definitely save you a lot of your hard earned money. Brake pad replacement is not tough; you can definitely do it yourself with the help of some tools. If you own a vehicle then you need to own a few tools that will come handy in times of need.

- You must keep the owner’s manual of your vehicle safely so that when you are trying to do some small repair work on your vehicle you will know where your vehicles jack points are, what is the weight of your vehicle, and what is the thickness of the rotor among other details.

- You need to buy a floor jack and a jack stand and keep it around so that when you need to replace your brake pads these tools come handy. The floor jack is used to raise the vehicle and the jack stand would help to keep the vehicle in the air for you to do all your repair work. It is advisable to buy a jack stand that can handle the weight of your vehicle easily.

- Always keep extra brake pads for your vehicle at home, so that if there is an emergency then you can change them without having to make a trip to the auto spare parts shop. Yes, a brake tool is important; this tool will adjust the brake caliper piston to the new brake pads that you are going to install on your vehicle. Once you have installed the new brake pads, you need to apply brake grease between the brake pads and the calipers. A socket wrench and a tire iron are some other handy tools that you need to keep in your garage to do all the small repair and maintenance on your vehicle. It is a one-time investment that will definitely save you a lot of money in the future.

Brake Rotors Replacement Made Easy for Your Vehicles

What most people don’t realize is that owning an automobile is a long term investment. It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle our purchase as long as you pledge to keep your vehicle in good working condition. This includes regular maintenance, replacing faulty parts at the earliest and keeping track of the overall condition of the vehicle. Brake rotors replacement is one such often overlooked feature that most vehicle owner’s fall trap to. Brakes are among the most important safety features of a vehicle and they should be serviced and replaced as per the manufacturer’s instructions in order to ensure optimal stopping power for your vehicle.

Has your rotor run its life?

The rotor is the eternal part of the braking system. It is shaped like a slat bottomed bowl; it houses the brake shoes, spring and the caliper system within it. When you apply the brakes, the brake shoes expand and clasp the rotors, which in turn slow down the vehicle. Both the rotors and the brake pads are designed to evenly dissipate heat generated during the braking action. Braking action is also quite abrasive, and the friction will wear out the brake pads and the rotors eventually, even with normal use of brakes.

Thus it is important to have brake rotors replacement at high priority, especially during your timely maintenance works. This will help keep your vehicle in optimal drivable condition which will keep you extra safe when you need to brake unexpectedly while on the move. Remember, failure to replace faulty brakes at the earliest can prove costly in more ways than one. It will not only decrease your vehicle’s stopping power- which can result in fatal accidents, but will also wear out your wheels and affect the suspensions as well. Thus you will be putting your vehicle and its occupants/ cargo in grave danger when you opt to drive around with a spent braking system in place.

Detecting bad rotors

Being able to look for and accurately identify how bad the rotors are is an essential skill for any vehicle owner. As a driver, you will be taking out the vehicle on a regular basis and hence it will become difficult for you to find when the brake pads and rotors have gone beyond safe values. Brake pads need to be replaced even if they wear out even 1/4^th of an inch. For this very reason, brake manufacturers incorporate a tiny metal plate beneath the braking abrasive of the brake pads. As the brake pad material erodes with time, this metal shim makes a high pitched sound when it comes in contact with the brake rotors, thus indicating that it is time to replace your brakes.

Another way to find out if your brakes are wearing is by taking your vehicle out on an empty road for a test drive. Once you get up to 30mph, brake heavily. A good set of brakes should hold well and not lead to vibrations or squealing of tires during this test. Else, it is time to replace your brakes at the earliest.

Why you need to replace brake pads regularly

Replacing your brakes at regular intervals before your brakes are pushed to the ultimate limit is essential to avoid bigger damages to your braking unit. Faulty brake rotors can severely hamper how the brake pads and other associated units operate. Ignoring the symptoms that brake pads presents can lead to bigger mechanical problems that might get out of hand faster than you’d expect.

Choosing the right rotors

In some cases, you might not always find it convenient to replace your rotors even though it has been worn out. Most people resort to replacing their rotors with cheaper ones or they may even forgo replacing rotors in favor of just the brake pads, hoping that something is better than nothing. This however, is only a temporary relief. In fact, this can actually be more detrimental to your vehicle’s safety in the long run.

Since brake pads rely on friction for optimal performance, substandard or damaged brake rotors that use inferior material in manufacturing will only wear out faster, thus putting your vehicle at a safety risk. Damaged rotors do not offer the necessary stopping power for your vehicle, even with brand new or quality brake pads.

When brakes are applied, the brake pads expand to meet the inner walls of the rotors. Logic dictates that the brake pads come in contact with the closest surface of the brake rotors. Improper contact between the brake rotors and the brake pads will also increase the heat generated during the braking action, which will further foster the wearing of your braking system. Thus, any defect in the rotors will misshapen the rotors and the brake pads will not have enough surface area contact, which will not only speed up wearing of the brake pads but will also reduce your braking action.

How to choose the right brake rotors

If you are unsure of what you need to buy then your best bet would be to hire the services of an expert. Your local mechanic should be of service when choosing the right brake parts. He will dismantle your brake set up and will assess the specific component requirement. If you own an older model of braking system, then your mechanic will be able to find a suitable replacement that offers the same or better quality braking.

When looking for a brake rotors replacement, it is important to adhere to the specifications provided by the vehicle manufacturers. You may also opt for a higher grade rotor as well, as long as it is a snug fit for your vehicle. Choosing an apt set of brake pads and rotors will help keep your vehicle in good working condition while increasing the safety levels on the road. Even after replacing your brake rotors and pads you should always take care of all kinds of technical maintenance in order to keep your brakes in good working order.

So, are you ready to deploy these tips and tricks to keep your automobile in good order? You may want to get in touch with professional technicians to get the job underway; contact one today.