Brake pads are one of the most vital elements in your vehicle’s braking system, yet many drivers tend to overlook them.
As taking time to inspect your brake pads regularly is a simple and cost-effective way of identifying whether they require replacement, here are 8 methods of checking them without taking apart your wheels.
1. Look at the rotor
Over time, rotors will wear down and will need resurfacing or replacement. A micrometer can help measure their thickness; simply place it between your brake pad and the rotor and measure. Each vehicle manufacturer should set minimum thickness specifications.
Your eyes and ears can also help detect problems. A loud screech when applying brakes could indicate your brake pads have worn down to their wear indicators – small metal pieces that come into contact with the rotor to indicate when it is time for new pads.
2. Check the caliper
Regular inspection of your front brake pads can save money and keep you safe on the road. Front brake pads wear out three times faster than rear brakes, so it is wise to inspect them regularly.
If your car pulls to one side or requires more pressure to stop, this could be a telltale sign of pad wear or caliper problems. Pulling off one wheel and inspecting visually for worn pads may help determine if replacement may be necessary.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts and raise your vehicle using a jack with jack stands to ensure optimal safety. Once lifted, inspect the pads in your caliper assembly for wear – any thicker than 2mm indicates a need to replace them immediately.
3. Look at the pad
Many vehicle manufacturers provide brake wear indicators that produce a telltale screeching sound when brake pads nearing usage, giving drivers ample warning to seek professional service for inspection before their brakes wear down too thin and risk damaging rotors.
As a general guideline, front brake pads should be replaced once they reach about 1/4 inch thickness. Keep in mind that front and rear brake pads tend to wear at different rates; front brakes typically provide 70% of stopping power for any given vehicle.
Visually inspect pad thickness by using a flashlight to look through the spaces in your caliper assembly. If they look thin, it may be time for replacement pads.
4. Check the pressure
If your car pulls to one side when applying brakes, this could be a sure sign that its brake pads have worn out and require replacement. Furthermore, any grinding noises when pressing on your brakes is an additional telltale sign of worn out pads that should be changed out immediately.
Some cars feature an internal noise indicator that squeals when the brake pads become too thin, giving an early warning before any problems surface. You can check for uneven pad wear by taking steps such as taking out your caliper and closely inspecting each pad individually.
5. Check the brake fluid
Brake pads should be regularly checked to avoid expensive brake repair bills later on. Keep an eye out for signs such as uneven wear or vibration in your steering wheel when applying brakes, these could indicate that it may be time for maintenance or repair work to be performed on them.
Most brake pads feature built-in “wear indicators.” These metal tabs are designed to come into contact with the rotor when your pads begin wearing thin, producing an audible screech as a warning that new pads may soon be necessary.
Be sure to also inspect your brake fluid levels regularly, since brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, diluting its effectiveness and possibly leading to corrosion of components in the braking system.
6. Check the hoses
Spongy brake pedals may be caused by malfunctioning brake hoses, which can significantly decrease braking power on your vehicle. Luckily, their condition can usually be quickly identified through visual inspection.
Brake pads typically feature wear indicators – metal tabs which scrape against the rotor to emit an audible high-pitched squeal when worn to an unsafely low level – however, normal operation and usage can wear these indicators out over time, so periodic inspections should be performed as an added layer of safety.
Those seemingly inconsequential flexible hoses that connect the master cylinder to brake calipers might seem inconsequential, but they play an integral part in keeping your car’s braking system functioning smoothly. You can inspect them both visually and using a pressure gauge.
7. Check the brake pedal
Brake pedal wear and tear are one of the first signs that your vehicle’s brake pads have begun to wear down, signaling potential safety concerns that require immediate action to avoid damaging other components like the rotors.
Low or spongy pedals may be caused by air in the system. This could be the result of corrosion on brake lines or under pressure causing them to twist under strain, creating air pockets in your brake system that make pedalling uncomfortable or hazardous.
A flashlight can be used to inspect the pads through the wheel holes when the car is raised on jack stands. If there’s less than 1/4″ of pad material remaining, then it may be time for replacements; screeching noises could also indicate wear-and-tear problems with your pads.
8. Check the rotor
Most brake pads feature built-in “wear indicators.” These small attachments contact your rotor to produce a high-pitched screeching noise as pad material wears down to an unhealthy state, signalling to you when new pads may be required. This noise serves to remind you it’s time to buy new brake pads.
Rotors are metal discs on which your brake pads clamp to stop your vehicle, and regular inspections should ensure you maintain optimal rotor condition and stopping power. Driving style also impacts wear on these discs; those who anticipate stops more gently will typically find that their rotors last longer.
Brake pads are one of the most vital elements in your vehicle’s braking system, yet many drivers tend to overlook them.
As taking time to inspect your brake pads regularly is a simple and cost-effective way of identifying whether they require replacement, here are 8 methods of checking them without taking apart your wheels.
1. Look at the rotor
Over time, rotors will wear down and will need resurfacing or replacement. A micrometer can help measure their thickness; simply place it between your brake pad and the rotor and measure. Each vehicle manufacturer should set minimum thickness specifications.
Your eyes and ears can also help detect problems. A loud screech when applying brakes could indicate your brake pads have worn down to their wear indicators – small metal pieces that come into contact with the rotor to indicate when it is time for new pads.
2. Check the caliper
Regular inspection of your front brake pads can save money and keep you safe on the road. Front brake pads wear out three times faster than rear brakes, so it is wise to inspect them regularly.
If your car pulls to one side or requires more pressure to stop, this could be a telltale sign of pad wear or caliper problems. Pulling off one wheel and inspecting visually for worn pads may help determine if replacement may be necessary.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts and raise your vehicle using a jack with jack stands to ensure optimal safety. Once lifted, inspect the pads in your caliper assembly for wear – any thicker than 2mm indicates a need to replace them immediately.
3. Look at the pad
Many vehicle manufacturers provide brake wear indicators that produce a telltale screeching sound when brake pads nearing usage, giving drivers ample warning to seek professional service for inspection before their brakes wear down too thin and risk damaging rotors.
As a general guideline, front brake pads should be replaced once they reach about 1/4 inch thickness. Keep in mind that front and rear brake pads tend to wear at different rates; front brakes typically provide 70% of stopping power for any given vehicle.
Visually inspect pad thickness by using a flashlight to look through the spaces in your caliper assembly. If they look thin, it may be time for replacement pads.
4. Check the pressure
If your car pulls to one side when applying brakes, this could be a sure sign that its brake pads have worn out and require replacement. Furthermore, any grinding noises when pressing on your brakes is an additional telltale sign of worn out pads that should be changed out immediately.
Some cars feature an internal noise indicator that squeals when the brake pads become too thin, giving an early warning before any problems surface. You can check for uneven pad wear by taking steps such as taking out your caliper and closely inspecting each pad individually.
5. Check the brake fluid
Brake pads should be regularly checked to avoid expensive brake repair bills later on. Keep an eye out for signs such as uneven wear or vibration in your steering wheel when applying brakes, these could indicate that it may be time for maintenance or repair work to be performed on them.
Most brake pads feature built-in “wear indicators.” These metal tabs are designed to come into contact with the rotor when your pads begin wearing thin, producing an audible screech as a warning that new pads may soon be necessary.
Be sure to also inspect your brake fluid levels regularly, since brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, diluting its effectiveness and possibly leading to corrosion of components in the braking system.
6. Check the hoses
Spongy brake pedals may be caused by malfunctioning brake hoses, which can significantly decrease braking power on your vehicle. Luckily, their condition can usually be quickly identified through visual inspection.
Brake pads typically feature wear indicators – metal tabs which scrape against the rotor to emit an audible high-pitched squeal when worn to an unsafely low level – however, normal operation and usage can wear these indicators out over time, so periodic inspections should be performed as an added layer of safety.
Those seemingly inconsequential flexible hoses that connect the master cylinder to brake calipers might seem inconsequential, but they play an integral part in keeping your car’s braking system functioning smoothly. You can inspect them both visually and using a pressure gauge.
7. Check the brake pedal
Brake pedal wear and tear are one of the first signs that your vehicle’s brake pads have begun to wear down, signaling potential safety concerns that require immediate action to avoid damaging other components like the rotors.
Low or spongy pedals may be caused by air in the system. This could be the result of corrosion on brake lines or under pressure causing them to twist under strain, creating air pockets in your brake system that make pedalling uncomfortable or hazardous.
A flashlight can be used to inspect the pads through the wheel holes when the car is raised on jack stands. If there’s less than 1/4″ of pad material remaining, then it may be time for replacements; screeching noises could also indicate wear-and-tear problems with your pads.
8. Check the rotor
Most brake pads feature built-in “wear indicators.” These small attachments contact your rotor to produce a high-pitched screeching noise as pad material wears down to an unhealthy state, signalling to you when new pads may be required. This noise serves to remind you it’s time to buy new brake pads.
Rotors are metal discs on which your brake pads clamp to stop your vehicle, and regular inspections should ensure you maintain optimal rotor condition and stopping power. Driving style also impacts wear on these discs; those who anticipate stops more gently will typically find that their rotors last longer.
