Are you looking for brake pads replacement? Would you know what type of brake pads to use? We’ll answer 10 of the most frequently asked questions about brake pads and, hopefully, help make things a lot easier for you as you search for a replacement part.
10 Most Common Questions about Brake Pads
1. Are brake pads universal?
Brake pads aren't universal at all. Each car manufacturer prefers its style and design when it comes to brake pads. As a result, you cannot expect brake pads designed for a Mercedes to fit in a Toyota.
In many instances, the brake pads of one model will not even fit another car by the same manufacturer. So, you can’t always say that the brake pads of your old Toyota model will be the same with the brake pads of your friend’s new Toyota.
The best thing for you to do is to bring the worn-out brake pads when you buy a replacement to make sure that it’s the exact shape, size, and material of the brake pads you need.
2. How do I know what kind of brake pads to buy?
To find out the type of brake pads in your car, you can direct a flashlight through the holes in the wheel. Hopefully, this will allow you to have a good look at the brake pads. If not, you or your mechanic may need to remove any of the four wheels to inspect the brake pad up close. When you do that, make sure that your car has rested, and the brake pads are cool. When you opt to remove the wheel, then you may as well remove the worn-out pad and bring it with you when you buy a replacement.
3. How do you know what size brake pads to get?
The best thing to do would be to provide the seller with your car make, model, and MY info, and the brand of brake pads you prefer. They can then check with their catalogue to find the best match in terms of size/dimensions.
For instance, if you have a Toyota Yaris 2011-2020 FWD hatchback, and you prefer Bendix brake pads, you (or they) can check their catalogue and see that the front brake pads should be in these dimensions: 123mm (length) x 50mm (width) x 17mm (thickness).
If you're lucky to have an expert mechanic, he can eyeball the brake pads of your car and figure out the right brake pad size. He may need to measure the outer diameter of the rotators to find the correct dimensions and match it with the replacement brake pads that fit your rotator’s size from catalogues online.
4. What do the numbers that mechanics assign on brake pads mean?
When mechanics examine your car brake pads, you might hear them assign brake wear numbers, say a 1, 2, or 5. These are merely estimates, and one mechanic may eyeball your brake pads and say they’re any of these numbers. A number 5 means the brake pad has a remaining life of 50%, while a number 1 means 10% remaining life.
Different brake pads in a car could have different numbers even if they were installed together. And since mechanics are only humans, they may look at the same worn-out brake pad and give different estimates.
5. Is there a part number on brake pads?
Brake pads can have a part number that's crucial for claiming the warranty. It also helps in buying the right brake pad when you need to replace them. The serial number is an alphanumeric value laser printed on the top. There's also a model number printed at the back of the brake pad.
Non-genuine brake pads may have little to no information printed on them. If opting for a genuine branded brake pad, you'll see every piece of information printed precisely on each brake pad. Fortunately, even without this number, there are many ways to identify the right brake pad replacement for your car.
6. Which is better – semi-metallic or ceramic brake pads?
Ceramic brake pads have plenty of advantages over semi-metallic brake pads. First, they have a longer lifespan than semi-metallic brake pads. Second, they create less noise and, third, cause less wear-and-tear to the rotors.
More importantly, you get all these advantages without giving up on the brake performance. If you opt for ceramic brake pads, make sure that they’re compatible with your vehicle.
7. What’s the legal minimum brake pad thickness in Australia?
It’s required for the brake pad thickness to be at least 3mm. Below this level, the heat insulation will be almost zero, which will result in massive damage and wear-and-tear to the calliper.
To be on the safe side, don’t wait for the brake pads to thin out to critical levels, always use 5mm thickness as your guide or the minimum thickness as specified by the carmaker.
8. How long do brake pads last?
A brake pad has a lifespan of 50,000-115,000 km or close to that range. The brake pads in your car will wear down at different rates, even if installed together. If you drive carefully and responsibly, your brake pads can last up to 110,000-115,000km, or 3-7 years, even if it’s your daily driver.
Aside from your driving style, extreme conditions can also reduce longevity.
9. Are brake pads the same for front and back?
No, brake pads for front and rear brakes are different. Why? The callipers are not the same for the front and back. Front brakes experience high pressure and force than rear brakes; therefore, the front's callipers' size is larger than the rear. It follows that the front brake pads are larger and tougher than those in the rear.
10. Are brake pads sold in sets of 4?
No, brake pads are sold in sets of two, and the brake rotors are sold individually. Every wheel requires a pair of brake pads, which means you MUST change both the brake pads for a wheel at the same time.
Conclusion
So you've learned about brake pads, their design, differences based on the rear or front wheel, manufacturer, and a lot more. All you need to do is shop around and buy.
The next question would be, ‘How much do brake pads cost to replace?’ Let’s find that out in the next article in this blog.
Depending on your car manufacturer, model, and model year, you can buy general (used and new) parts from the comfort of your sofa through Carpart.com.au. So aside from brake pads replacement, you can send us a description of any auto part you need, and we will help you locate reputable sellers. Get a quote now!