You may already have suspicions that something is off with your brakes. Perhaps there is a grinding or scraping noise being produced, or perhaps your vehicle is pulling to one side when you decelerate or turn. It is also possible that your brake pedal feels spongy when depressed.
During a routine service, the technician informs you that both the rotors and brake pads require replacement. Suddenly, you begin questioning whether the mechanic is being honest with you, and whether your vehicle requires a brake pad and rotor replacement.
The first step in diagnosing your brakes lies in understanding the essential components of the vehicle’s braking system, in an attempt to find the source of the problem.
The Function of Brake Pads and Rotors
Brake Pads and Shims
Brakes employ a great force from calipers which clamp the pair of pads against the rotors, slowing down the speed os the engine and finally, bringing the vehicle to a halt. Rotors and pads are equally critical in achieving maximum efficiency on mass friction sensors.
Shim and brake pads in conjunction with various other parts such as springs, subsequently enable -abolishes- removes noise and mechanical vibrations during motion throughout an automobile’s caliper. Shims are made out of metal or rubber and lie between the brake pads and the calipers, and they relocate with the calipers.
Besides achieving improved efficiency in vibration and sound control, caliper fluid and caliper security from high temperature shocks render increased efficiency with the shims made of titanium.
For optimal performance, brake pads need to adequately absorb energy and heat. Too much heat or wear-and-tear diminishes the effectiveness of the brake pads and your vehicle’s stopping ability.
Automotive brake pads are designed to emit a warning sound when they are excessively worn. If a loud grinding or rumbling sound is produced while braking, the pads require replacement.
Keep in mind that brake pads should be replaced in pairs and changed every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
In addition to replacing the brake pads, the shims and hardware should also be replaced. Clip, bracket, spring, and slide are parts of the disc brake hardware. All of them are useful in dampening the vibrations and securing the placement of the brake pads.
Normal use may result in the brake pad hardware parts getting corroded or having cracks. Their replacement provides a smooth and serene braking experience.
Rotors
When the brake pedal is depressed, the callipers will apply pressure to the pads and close them onto the rotors, also known as brake discs. The pressure applied to the rotors will also stop the wheels from rotating.
Most types of rotors are manufactured from cast iron – or, more specifically, gray iron. This is because this type of material disperses heat well, which is critical to avoid overheating and brake fade.
Like brake pads, rotors should be replaced every 70,000 miles, depending on usage and wear. For optimum and effective braking, rotors should be replaced in pairs. If any of the below-listed symptoms are visible or audible, it may be time to replace rotors:
- Grinding, squeaking, or squealing while braking.
- Braking wobbling, or vibrating.
- Rotors with pad imprints.
- The deceleration of the automobile body is prolonged.
Symptoms of Bad Brake Pads and Brake Rotors
Let’s now analyze the symptoms of worn-out brake pads and rotors after discussing how the two parts function independently.
- Noise when braking: If there are problems with your brake pads or brake rotors, loud brakes will be the very first symptom you notice. Either the rotors or the brake pads will produce a loud squeaking or squealing sound when pressure is applied on the brakes. If not addressed, the noise will progress from a squealing sound to a scraping sound.
- Your vehicle vibrates when you brake: If your vehicle shakes when you slow down, this is most likely due to warped or worn out brake rotors. Irregular shaking can commonly be felt on the brake pedal. Check the rotors for presence of any unusual grooves or markings. If present, then it is an indication that they need to get replaced.
- Your brake pedal vibrates: The previous sign on the list will often result to the brake pads being worn out. Pressing the pedal will cause the brake to pulsate at a lower pace. This sign is reminiscent of the vibrations associated with worn brake rotors, but this time, you will feel the pulsation in your foot.
- Poor stopping distance: If you are indecisive on whether or not to change your brake pads or rotors, you will probably become certain when the brake pads do not seem to respond fast enough after you engage the brake pedal. At this stage, the pads are so worn down that it is extremely difficult for them to ‘grab’ the spinning rotors because of the internal friction inflicted on the pads.
This means your vehicle will be much less responsive to your commands when you need to slow down. If you ever find yourself in an emergency where rapid deceleration is necessary to avoid an accident, poor-quality brake pads will unfortunately prevent that from happening.
“What is serious is the fact that your life, or the lives of other people, are at risk.”
Why You Need to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors
To prevent an accident, ensure all these components are properly functioning together with the other components within your braking system, which include the brake pads and rotors. Those are the two primary components of your braking system that will start wearing out over time.
The cumulative cost of replacing these parts could be overly expensive, leading some people to procrastinate on levies. However, if there is difficulty braking for the vehicle, this is an issue that has to be sorted out eventually. This postponement could extend to serious injury or death.
In addition, allowing the brake pads to deteriorate until they reach the exposed metal backing stage leads to the rotor being damaged, further worsening the financial burden.
Brake Pad Replacement Costs
For the majority, the cost of a brake pad replacement ranges from $50 to $150. If you own a luxury vehicle, the price might reach $200 to $300. Also, remember the additional expenses that come with the labour for the replacement services.
The going hourly rates for these services are usually between $80 to $100. To replace the brake pads, a qualified mechanic takes around one to two hours. Therefore, expect to pay between $150 and $400 for brake pad replacement.
Brake Rotor Replacement Costs
Your brake rotors are yet another brake system part that you will need to replace. Every time you stamp the brake pedal, the pads engage with the rotors to effectively reduce the speed of the vehicle.
The brake rotors replacement cost will be within the range of $200 to $400, with labor averaging around $150.This brings the entire cost for a brake rotor replacement to approximately $150. This brings the entire cost for a brake rotor replacement to approximately $350 to $500.
Costs of Resurfacing Brake Rotors
Although some people might argue that changing the brake pads also means that the rotors should be changed, this is not the case for everyone. Brake rotors are subjected to some amount of wear and tear. Over time, it is correct to say that rotors endure some wear and tear, but they outlast the brake pads.
If you have a sufficient amount of material on your brake discs, it is advisable to consider resurfacing, commonly referred to as cutting or tuning, the brakes. Most auto shops that offer brake services should be able to perform this procedure.
The procedure consists of mounting the brake rotors on a lathe and smoothing out the surface of the rotor by removing some material until it is free from any corrosion or deposits from brake pads.
The overall cost of resurfacing brake rotors is approximately $10 to $15. This is considerably more cost-effective than the complete replacement of brake rotors.
Nonetheless, bear in mind that the service shop will have to remove and reinstall the rotors. As a result, additional labor costs will be incurred.
Brake Pad Warranties
Some automotive service dealers may grant you a special warranty after performing a brake pad replacement on your vehicle.
Such a warranty may also cover 12 months or 12,000 miles, 18 months or 18,000 miles, and 24 months or 24,000 miles. As you would expect, the more comprehensive the coverage, the more expensive the warranty.
Brake Pad and Rotor Job Rip-Offs
A cheaper mechanic may attempt to con you during the installation of a brake pad or disk rotor. Some of the common rotor and brake pad scams that need attention include:
- Consigning brake calipers that do not need to be bought.
- Spending more than usual on nonspecific brake pads.
- Upsold to ceramic pads.
- Selling low-quality rotors for premium prices.
How to Replace Brake Pads
In case you have some mechanical skills, it is advisable to try and do the brake pad replacement with some tools. To achieve the intended purpose, one has to:
- Unscrew the lug nut, and jack up the vehicle on a stand.
- Remove the lug nut to spin the wheel cap off the wheel.
- Take out the caliper’s screws, place it aside and pull away the caliper from the pads and rotors.
- Check the level of brake fluid by removing the container’s cover. Using a spreading device, compress the caliper piston.
- Caliper hooks can help fix the caliper into place.
- Remove the caliper bracket fasteners, setting them aside. Then, pull off the brackets from the rotors with the pads attached. Remove the pads.
- Make sure to note if the rotors also need to be changed during the inspection.
- Install the newly fitted brake pads and assemble everything in reverse order.
- Repeatedly tap the brakes after gently lowering the vehicle.
Pros and Cons of Replacing the Pads Yourself
There are both advantages and disadvantages of replacing the brake pads yourself. The process of changing the brake pad isn’t as simple as some people may assume, as one needs in-depth knowledge of the car’s brake system.
In the case where you lack the requisite experience or tools, attempting to replace the brake pads can lead to significant losses in both time and money.
Conversely, if you are a skilled mechanic, doing brake pad replacement can be very cost-effective compared to having the vehicle serviced.
How to Make Your Brake Pads Last Longer
After getting your new brake pads or brake rotors, you will want to make sure you maximize their durability over time. To prolong the life span of your car’s brake pads, consider the following suggestions:
- Refrain from accelerating: Higher speeds mean that your wheels are spinning at a faster rate, which puts more wear on your brake pads.
- Coast to a stop: Gradual deceleration rather than applying pressure to brake the vehicle helps to conserve brake wear.
- Avoid anticipating traffic: Traffic jams increase the frequency of brake application more than anything else. If possible, take a different route to avoid traffic.
- Remove unnecessary weight: If your vehicle is carrying extra weight, this means that your brakes will have to work harder to slow down the vehicle.
The Bottom Lines on Your Brake Pads
It is undeniable how important the braking system is to your automobile’s safety. For your vehicle to safely decelerate and avoid potential collisions, the brake pads and discs need to be in optimal condition and properly maintained.
If you have any vibrating or squealing sounds, it’s advisable to reach out to a mechanic for a detailed inspection. Alternatively, if you have mechanical experience, you can examine and replace the brake pads and rotors on your own.