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.

Front and Rear Brake Pads

 

Automobile braking technology had undergone two significant enhancements during the recent past. The first occurred in the late thirties when Pascal’s Principle (in regard to hydraulics) was applied through installation of one Master Cylinder (linked to the brake pedal) and 4 Slave Cylinders installed on the 4 wheels, connected by flexible pipes. When the whole system was filled with hydraulic fluid and pressure applied to the Master Cylinder through the brake pedal, it immediately affected all the Slave Cylinders at equal force. In other words, when you stepped on your car’s brake pedal, all four wheels would slow down or stop, while the system became known as Drum Brake since it worked by way of Brake Shoes pressing against the brake drum and so reducing/ halting the momentum.

The other enhancement occurred much later when it was observed that as cars became more powerful and faster, drum brakes failed to provide adequate stopping power due to their design and structure. Also, they tended to overheat, thus becoming less responsive. As an answer to this inadequacy, a wholly new technology began to evolve in the shape of Disc Brake, where a disc or rotor attached to the hub is pinched or squeezed by a caliper with Brake Pads installed within it.

Difference between front and rear Brake Pads

Technically speaking, there isn’t much of a difference between front and rear brake pads installed in cars that feature Disc Brakes in both front and rear, save and except a slight variation in the rear for fixing the parking brake cable. However, when considering the braking system that is extensively used in contemporary cars that have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, there is a gulf of difference between the two. In fact, it may require a marginal alteration in the title that should read Difference between Front brake Pads and Rear Brake Linings, instead of Difference between Front and Rear Brake Pads.

Brake linings mounted on Shoes featuring Drum Brakes at rear

Brake linings mounted on Brake Shoes are resistant to heat, while featuring high friction coefficient least affected by fluctuations in humidity, temperature or other elements. Materials normally used for manufacturing these components include friction modifiers, powdered metal such as zinc, brass, lead, aluminum as well as other materials that resist heat fade, binders, curing agents and fillers like rubber chips that tend to lessen brake noise.

Incidentally, the higher friction contact area of the lining mounted on drum brake shoes on the brake drum makes them more long lasting as compared to disc brake pads in any braking system of similar dimension and braking force.

Brake Pads featuring Disc Brakes at front

Brake Pads posses the unique quality of converting the kinetic energy of a vehicle to thermal energy through friction. Two brake pads contained in the brake caliper facing each other with the rotor in between them can clamp and squeeze the spinning rotor when brakes are applied hydraulically via the flexible brake hose. While the technology totally differs from that used in drum brakes, the pads too differ in shape, size and formation. What’s more, when a brake pad gets hot by coming into contact with the spinning rotor, they transfer minute quantity of friction material to the rotor body, as a result of which they tend to ‘stick’ to each other that slows or stops the rotor, as also the vehicle.

However, Rear Brake Pads are available in several varieties and types that are outlined below.

Non-metallic Brake Pads that are made from an amalgamation of several synthetic materials are effective for a limited period. However, they are gentle on rotors.

Fully metallic Brake Pads that are made from sintered steel are much more durable, but again are very hard on rotors. However, these are ideally suited to the requirement of racing cars.

Ceramic Brake Pads that are composed of clay and porcelain (and are burnt in a kiln) has the durability of fully metallic brake pads, while featuring the grip and fade resistance of the synthetic type, and so are cherished by all but bought by few because of their high price range.

Postscript

Studies reveal that Brake Pads for Disc Brakes in the front and Brake Linings mounted on brake shoes for drum brakes in the rear seldom go out of order concurrently. However, even if such a situation ever arises, the best course of action (in regard to Disc Brakes) would be to follow the car manufacturer’s specifications.

How Do you Know you Need Brake Replacement?

Maintaining the brakes is an important safety feature for any vehicle owner. Just as the gas mileage varies depending on how or where you drive so does the usage of your brakes. However, most drivers overlook brake maintenance even though they know they can get cheap car brake pads. If the brake system is maintained, you will avoid costly repairs. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear-cut schedule that lets you know when to replace the brake pads. It is a must for you to pay attention to your car brake pads conditions. This signs will help you in identifying if the brakes pads need to be replaced.

Brake pads are too thin

You need to pay close attention to visual cues. Look at your current brake pads through the car wheel spokes to see if they need to be changed. The outer brake pad is visible because the material presses against a brake disc (metal rotor). If less than a quarter an inch is visible, know that your front brake pads are fragile and you have to change them. Some new cars today have dash lights that get turned on if the brake pads are worn out. Another option is to look on the outside to check if brake dust has been building up. The dust darkens the hubcaps and wheels, signifying that your brakes are worn out.

 

The brake pedal keeps vibrating

If your brake pedal is pulsating each time you press your foot on it, then that’s a sign you need new brake pads. Pulsating brakes is the constant grabbing or the brake vibration a driver feels when they try to apply brakes. This is often caused by warped brake pads due heat or by worn out brake pads. In some cases, rear brake pads can be re-machined, and the problem gets solved. But if they can’t be re-machined, you really need to buy brake pads.

Brakes making a clicking sound

If your brakes make a clicking noise each time you apply the brakes, then you know you have a problem. Car manufacturers always install a device that stops the brake pads from rattling. The moment you hear a clicking or rattling noise upon the depression of your brakes, know that you need new brake pads.

Brakes making a screeching sound

Other than the clicking or rattling noise, a driver must listen for a screeching sound that is often high-pitched. This screeching noise is made when the car’s brake pedal is pushed down fully. The unpleasant sound is made by a small metal shim that surrounds the brake pads. It acts as an indicator for alerting drivers to replace their brake pads. The sound pitch varies, but you will hear it when your windows are up, and your music isn’t loud. So keep listening!

Brakes make a grinding sound

If you detect a growling or grinding sound each time you press the brake pedal, then you know everything isn’t fine. The brake pads are not the only parts that need to be replaced this time. This sound is produced by the brake caliper and the brake disc rubbing together, indicating that your brake pads are completely worn down. In this case, you may have to replace your brake discs too or have them checked by a qualified mechanic. But if you check and replace your brake pads regularly, you won’t have to incur extra costs replacing more expensive brake parts like the brake discs. Just get cheap car brake pads for your car.

The vehicle is pulling

Although a car pulling to a certain side of the road may indicate different things, as the wheel alignment is out, it may also mean that the brake pads need replacing. If your car is pulled to one side and you haven’t used the steering wheel when applying the brakes, then this shows that your brake pads are worn down unevenly. But if the car pulls as you drive at a constant speed and you haven’t applied brakes, this pulling indicates another repair issue.

The more you know about your car’s condition, the more you can plan on how to replace the necessary parts in time. In case you are not sure of what to look out for, or you just don’t want to take the responsibility, make sure your brakes are checked the next time you go for the regular car maintenance. Many shops can check the condition of your brake pads for free and advise you accordingly. The sooner you address worn out brakes, the less costs you will incur, and you will be safe. You can get cheap car brake pads from us.

Source:http://www.sooperarticles.com/automotive-articles/cars-articles/how-do-you-know-you-need-brake-replacement-1540340.html