How To Choose The Right Brake Pads
At 55mph, a car crosses a football field in just five seconds, making a well-maintained brake system essential for safety. We'll simplify the process of choosing the right brake pads and understanding necessary repairs.
Bonding Or Riveted?
Brake pads are made by bonding or riveting a friction material to a plate, and both methods are reliable. However, riveted pads squeal early, allowing time for replacement, while bonded pads can damage drums or rotors if not replaced promptly after squealing.
Know Your Driving Requirements
City commuters can follow basic brake pad recommendations, but drivers in mountainous areas, hot climates, wet conditions, or towing trailers need specialized pads. Mechanics or DIYers should always consider the stress brakes will face before making a choice.
Organic Brake Pads
Organic brake pads produce less dust and offer strong initial bite but wear quickly and perform poorly in wet conditions. They may not be ideal for drivers needing significant braking power.
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Semi-metallic brake pads, made with metal fibers in organic material, provide better grip in wet or stressful conditions and last longer than organic pads. However, they wear down rotors faster and require a longer break-in period for optimal performance.
Fully Metallic Brake Pads
Sintered brake pads, made from metals like copper and brass alloys, offer excellent friction and reliability in all conditions. However, they are noisy, wear rotors faster, and generate significant heat, which can damage the braking system if overused.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are quiet, long-lasting, and handle high temperatures well, causing less rotor damage over time. Though costly, they were designed for racecars but may not be suitable for all vehicles.
Which Brake Pads Are Most Common?
Semi-metallic brake pads are the most common and economical choice for commuter vehicles, often recommended by manufacturers. Heavy-use vehicles, however, should consult a mechanic for the best brake pad option.
Brake Pads And Shoes Are Different
In the U.S., front wheels typically use disk brakes for greater stress, while rear wheels often use economical drum brakes. Disk brakes use pads, drum brakes use shoes, and many manufacturers now prefer disk brakes on all four wheels.
Disk Brakes Versus Drum Breaks
Originally developed for race cars, disk brakes provide stronger, more controlled stopping by compressing brake pads around a rotor. Drum brakes, which push brake shoes against a drum, struggle to stop effectively under high speed or stress, such as downhill driving.
Check Your Entire Brake System Whenever You Change Pads
Squealing brake pads signal it's time to review the entire brake system, including replacing worn rotors and drums. It's also a good time to check brake fluid levels and follow the manufacturer's manual for brake line flushing recommendations.
