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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.