How to Choose the Most Suitable Brake Rotor Pattern

The main components of a brake system are the calipers, brake pads, and rotors (disc). Each time the brake is depressed, the brake fluid pressure increases in the lines controlling the calipers. This makes them tighten around the disc. As time goes by, rotors and brake pads wear down as a result of the friction and heat they are subjected to each time you stop. If you allow your brake pads to wear down completely, the rotor gets damaged.

The type of rotor you will opt for will depend on your budget, the type of vehicle and your driving habits. Usually, rotors are replaced when worn. However, some vehicles –high performance or sports cars – will need new rotors to offer better braking performance, even if the old ones aren’t worn.

There are various types or rotors you can choose from. You need to understand them and know their pros and cons to make an informed choice.

Slotted rotors

This type of rotor has slots that resemble lines in the metal. They are suitable for street performance, towing /hauling, autocross/ track or off-road.

Advantages

Slotted rotors will work well for SUVs, heavy trucks, competition cars and tow trucks. It’s important for you to get quality brake rotors if you choose the slotted style. In case the disc isn’t properly machined, it can crack sooner than later.

This type of rotor delivers better consistency with each stop because the contact in brake pads is reduced. Over time, the slotted rotors still perform well. Each time the slots shave down, a new material is exposed as you brake. This means you can depend on these pads to offer effective braking even with heavy duty vehicles.

Disadvantages

Despite being so useful, slotted rotors have drawbacks. Their life span is shorter compared to other types and can shorten the lifespan of brake pads too.

Drilled rotors

You can easily recognize them since they have holes in the metal. They are the best for street performance.

Advantages

If the area you live in experiences lots or rain, your best option is the drilled rotors. They can perform well in such climates because they offer an excellent holdup and deliver more friction. The bite is better as the drilled holes provide space for the water to escape. This dries off the components of the braking system. Less water means you get a better bite and the brake pads and rotors performance improves.

Disadvantages

Even though the drilled rotors are often recommended because of their performance, they tend to wear unevenly and can develop cracks if used in racing vehicles. The cracks are caused by the temperature and heat extremes of a race. This means that they are a poor choice for any racing vehicle and will fail sooner than expected.

Drilled and slotted rotors

They have both slot markings and drill markings and are suitable for towing/hauling, off road or street performance.

Advantages

This type of rotor offers all the benefits of the drilled and slotted rotor. They perform well but not necessarily better compared to the other types. You will notice this new brake motors on various luxury cars, including BMW and Mercedes. If you are consistent with maintenance, stick to the drilled and slotted rotor especially if they were original to your vehicle. The rotors work well for trucks, tow vehicles and cars that carry heavier loads. Heavy vehicles require a lot of energy to stop safely and this type excels at delivering this.

Disadvantages

This type of rotor is not recommended for racing cars because the drilling will make the disc vulnerable to cracking.

Blank or smooth rotors

This rotor has a plain surface with no markings or holes in the metal. They are perfect for off-road, towing, autocross/track and street performance.

Advantages

Many new cars have blank rotors installed in them for cost effectiveness and maximum efficiency across different driving conditions. If you are not an aggressive driver, own a luxury car, or you need a quiet rotor above all, go for smooth rotors. It’s also a top choice for racers because it can hold through the entire race. This type also works well for other needs and lasts longer. Without any slots or holes, cracks rarely develop.

Disadvantages

Some drivers think that the other types perform better than blank rotors, but that isn’t true. All that matters is your driving style.

No matter the type you choose, ensure you pay attention to how your vehicle breaks. As the brake system ages, plan ahead and get replacement parts from reliable suppliers or manufacturers like us. If combined well, rotors and brake pads will assist you to stay safe as you drive.

Source:  http://brakeneeds.livejournal.com/2471.html

Better, Organic and Semi Metallic Brake Pads Features in Vehicles

Semi-metallic brake pads are quite effective for most cars, while their low pricing factor make them quite alluring for most motorists. Maybe , these are not as perfect as Ceramic pads, but they are not as expensive as Ceramics.

There is no denying of the fact that the use of disc brakes has revolutionized the braking system in automobiles, reducing the risk of road accidents to a great extent. No wonder most contemporary cars have disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on rear wheels, while some have disc brakes on both and rear wheels.

The task of disc brake manifests in decelerating the vehicle in a safe and trouble-free way, bringing it to dead stop, if necessary. The process entails converting the kinetic energy due to friction between the brake pads and the rotor disc into thermal energy. Consequently, it generates heat and plenty of dust (known popularly as Brake Dust). Needless to say, the brake pads play a vital role here and so the material used for manufacturing the brake pad has to be tough enough to withstand the heat and at the same time help prolong the life of the rotor disc. In order to achieve high levels of safety, brake pads must also combine a constant friction value known as friction coefficient along with optimum mechanical strength and temperature resistance power.

Types of Brake Pads often used in Disc Brakes

Organic Brake Pad

Many cars come with factory assembled disc brakes having Organic Brake Pads that are made of Kevlar fiber, glasses, resins and rubber. This results in low rotor disk wear, quiet operation but high amount of brake dust.

Ceramic Brake Pad

Ceramic brake pads do better than Organic Brake Pads in many respects that include better high temperature braking, lower pad wear and reduced brake dust generation.

Semi Metallic Brake Pad

To be honest about it, Semi-metallic and metallic brake pads are suitable for most cars that are used on a daily basis in cities and suburbs. Ergo, these are also found suitable for high performance racing cars. Also, these pads demonstrate good braking power in low temperature, lower rotor disc wear but louder noise during operation. As for the type of material that goes for the Manufacture of these pads, carbon-fiber is often blended into these to change their optimum heat ranges, as well as friction and wear properties. At the same time, Semi-Metallic pads are cost effective and also contain fine metal fibers. However, we might as well take a sneak peek at some of the pros and cons of Semi-Metallic Brake Pads that are listed below

Pros

First of all, semi metallic brake pads are cheaper than Ceramic Brake pads. In fact, there are many brands and qualities that would suit your selection and pocket. Nevertheless, these have high static friction coefficient, provide excellent brake performance in both wet and dry conditions and are asbestos free.

Also, semi-metallic brake pads provide effective grip even in cold temperature. This is a key issue if you live in colder regions and need shorter driving trips.

Cons

Semi metallic brake pads may be cheap as compared to Ceramic Brake Pads, but not as durable as the latter. However, a set will last you for well over 30, 000 miles. Semi-metallic brake pads also generate too much brake dust and as a result, you get more dirty wheels to clean.

Semi-metallic brake pads create more noise than their Ceramic counterparts, due mostly to their frictional nature. However, people often ignore the issue in the face of lesser money spent on them.

Postscript

To be precise, while Ceramic brake pads are ideally suited for small cars, Semi-metallic brake parts are best suited to larger vehicles such as pickups, minivans and SUVs.

Source: https://brakeneeds.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/better-organic-and-semi-metallic-brake-pads-features-in-vehicles/

Brakeneeds.com offer upto 80% off on Brake Pads and Parts

Brake needs is a leading brakes and engine parts company for Cars, Trucks, and SUV. We supply top quality brake pads, brake shoes, brake rotors, brake pads and rotors, wheel hub, brake parts at affordable cost. Our products are OE standards to ensure the highest level of performance and quality. We offer free shipping on all our orders shipped across USA including territories (USVI, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marinara Islands, American Samoa, APO, FPO p.o. boxes) Also, we offer up to 80 % off on all our products. and it's no Tax or duties for US buyers. To know more Visit: https://www.brakeneeds.com

Semi Metallic Brake Pads - A Closer Look for Auto Operators and Owners

Semi metallic brake pads are among the most widely used brake pads in the world. They are the preferred types of brake pads in almost every commercial vehicle these days. Read on to know more about these robust brake pads.

A car is a magnificent piece of engineering. The amount of research that goes into the design and manufacture of every minute aspect of a vehicle is mind-boggling. Sadly, not may appreciate the intricacies of this engineering and only have a regard for the final product and their functionality. Take brake pads for example. The primary requirement for an efficient baking system is a firm, yet smooth braking capabilities over a wide temperature range and varied road conditions. Today, auto markets are flooded with a variety of consumer grade brake pads - from organic brake pads and semi metallic brake pads to ceramic brake pads that feature their own set of pros and cons. The choice in material dictates the friction of the pads, which in turn is responsible for the stopping power of the brake pads.

What is a brake pad?

A disc brake pad comprises of friction materials mounted on a sturdy steel backing plate. Each wheel has two brake pads contained in the brake caliper on either side of the rotor, with the friction sides facing the rotor. When the brakes are applied, the caliper squeezes the brake pads so that they contact the rotating rotor, thus slowing down and eventually stopping the vehicle. Over time, these brake pads tend to wear out with use and need to be replaced at regular intervals, as recommended by the manufacturer, to ensure that they maintain a credible degree of stopping power. The disc wear rate varies with the type of material used and the number of miles driven.

A brief history of brake pads

Asbestos was the preferred material of brake pads manufacture during the 1950’s and 60’s when disk brakes began to gain popularity. Asbestos has excellent durability and heat resistance characteristics, which has made it the preferred material of choice. However, as its detrimental environmental and health implications came to light in the 70’s, it was phased out and replaced by safer, more durable materials that were made of organic and metallic compounds.

The organic brake pads are primarily made of glass, rubber and associated “soft” compounds that are fused together with heat resistant resins. These types of braking pads are lighter in weight and are quieter in operation. However, owing to their soft structure, these pads tend to wear out quite fast. Hence, they are suitable for smaller vehicles that do not require frequent hard stops.

Metallic pads, like the name suggests, are made of metals such as iron, copper, steel etc. along with a graphite lubricant. The materials used for the manufacture of this product give it a unique structure and thus makes it one of the most robust types of brake pads today. These types of pads are known to easily dissipate heat from the rotors during braking. This increases the overall life of the entire braking system and requires less frequent rotor replacements. The metallic brake pads are considered to be much better than their organic counterparts in terms of overall performance. Another popular type of brake pads in the markets today are the ceramic pads, which are made of stacked ceramic fibers, bonding materials, and filler materials with trace amounts of metal for added stability.

What are semi metallic brake pads?

Semimetallic brake pads are an amalgamation of both metallic and organic brake pads. They are made of strands of steel, which comprises of up to 35- 60% metal by weight. These metallic stands, which are made of steel, iron, copper, etc., are combined with friction modifiers and a graphite lubricant (and infused in an organic resin) that makes them highly durable. The metallic composition has a high thermal threshold and hence these brake pads have a wider operating temperature range, which results in low compressibility and provides firm braking.

Apart from the efficiency of operation, another factor that is responsible for the popularity of semi metallic brake pads is their cost factor. The compositional materials and manufacturing methods of semi metallic brake pads are not cost intensive, and hence are available at a cheaper price. Since they don’t wear as much as other types of brake pads, they don’t have to be replaced frequently. These pads are extremely versatile and can be used for small cars and large trucks/ SUVs as well. Despite all advantages, these brake pads do come with their own set of problems. The most persistent of them are the noise and the brake dust generated during braking. This material is also quite abrasive, and tends to wear brake rotors faster than organic brake pads.

Comparing with the closest rival- Ceramic brake pads

The tussle between the semi metallic brake pads and the ceramic type has always yielded in ambiguous results. Your choice in either one will always be a compromise- either in terms of longevity or performance. Although the ceramic pads offer cleaner, quieter stops, you will be sacrificing braking performance. While the semi metallic ones offer excellent stopping power, they do result in loud screeches and dust from the eroding pads.

Ceramics are harder than their semi metallic counterparts. This hardness does increase their life, but as they have a lower cold bite, the ceramic brake pads tend to be practically less effective in colder weathers. Ceramics are not very good heat sinks and cannot effectively absorb the heat from the rotors during braking, and contribute to the increase of temperature within the entire braking system. Ceramics also have a lower coefficient of friction and were never designed for high performance action. Semi metallic brake pads, however, offer an excellent stopping power despite the noise and dust. They operate better on a wide range of temperatures due to their higher thermal threshold. They offer a consistent stoppage throughout their wide band of operating range.

Pad selection

Selecting the right braking pad can be quite difficult. The right kinds of pads are not always the most expensive ones. You need to consider various factors such as the weight of the vehicle, acceleration, and the ambient temperature of the place you drive in as well. When in doubt, replace your existing brake pads with factory specified types. This will ensure optimal performance for your vehicle. If you do choose to upgrade your existing pads, then you need to consider the implications and take professional help in choosing and installing the right kinds of brake pads. In most cases, it is recommended that you use high quality, semi metallic brake pads which offer excellent stopping power and fade resistance.

Know when you should Change your Brake Pads

There are times when people somehow neglect the aspect of safety while driving. There can be various reasons for this. At times people unknowingly neglect safety and at times knowingly. Knowingly suggests not using seat belts and things like that and unknowingly means using wrong brake pads and other safety aspects.

When you think to bring your car to halt in a secure manner, then the most significant component is the brake pad. Basically, they are known as brake linings and are accountable for slowing the speed of the vehicle through its usage of hydraulic and mechanical force when brake pedal is hard-pressed. Brake pads are manufactured and developed by big firms all over the globe with important brands being recognized for manufacturing the utmost quality.

Brake pads convert kinetic energy of the vehicle to thermal energy. It plays a necessary role in car’s braking system. Therefore, selecting an appropriate pad for the vehicle will not only save money but it will save time as well. Now, let us read some brief description about these pads and how important they are.

Not considering which brand name you opt, you need to initially know the time when to change the brake pads. If you do not change it on time, then it might be risky for you when traveling. In earlier time, the most known pads were the organic brake pads and these were made from asbestos. Now, asbestos is being abandoned by majority of the manufacturers. On the other hand, when the pad breaks down, then you can see lot of dust, which may be harmful to your health. These pads are discs, which are pressed and aligned with the brake pillar via hydraulics so as to slow down the wheel.

When Brake Pads Need Changing

 

There are several reasons why brake pads require changing. It must be changed very soon for safety reason.

Awful Noises:

If you hear some kind of grinding, squealing, and whining sounds from the brake pads, then that definitely means it needs changing now. Not only are such sounds irritating, but they also are signs that your brake pads need to be changed. Moreover, the sounds can also be disturbing along with providing you signals that brake pads are given way.

Poor Gripping: If you experience that after pressing the brakes, the car does not slow down, then you need to understand that it is not safe to drive that vehicle. If the brake pads are not giving you good performance, as it should be, then you possibly get it changed as soon as possible.

If the above mentioned problems exist with the brake pad of your car, then get it checked and replace it immediately. This ensures the safety of the passengers traveling in the car as well as others who are driving on the road.

Search for Durable Brake Pads for your Car

Durable and light brake pads are considered to be the best amongst all kinds of pads. Made up of ceramic fibers, bonding agents, filler material, and minute amount of copper, these ceramic brake pads make the best possible choice for the sports car. Nevertheless, because of its high pricing, very few people opt for ceramic brake pads. However, for people who consider pricing as a base, then semi metallic brake pads too are a good option. Though they are noisy, performance is always good along with they being affordable. At the end all will be based on your need.

So choose what suits you best and suffices your requirement to perfection. Moreover, it should also suit your vehicle and driving needs. The brake pads are easily available at online stores. You can opt from the variety of pads available there such as metallic, ceramic, or anything else. Nevertheless, at the same time, you need to make sure that the website you are looking at for brake pads must be reliable and must offer good after-sales service. The reviews of the customers will tell you about the reliability of the store that is specializing in brake pads. Moreover, you will get these items at very reasonable pricing there as compared to other retail outlets. Research will be the key to find the right online source.