Brake Repair
🔧 What Are Brake Pads?
Brake pads are flat components with friction material that press against the brake rotors (discs) to slow or stop your vehicle. Over time, the friction material wears down, and that’s when replacement is needed.
⏳ When Should You Replace Brake Pads?
Here are the main indicators:
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Mileage/Lifespan
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Average lifespan: 25,000–70,000 miles, depending on driving style and conditions.
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City driving (lots of stops) → wears faster.
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Highway driving → lasts longer.
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Thickness
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New pads: about 10–12 mm of friction material.
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Replacement needed: 3 mm or less.
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Warning Signs
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Squeaking/squealing noise → pad wear indicator.
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Grinding → pads are fully worn, damaging the rotors.
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Longer stopping distance.
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Brake pedal vibration → uneven wear or warped rotors.
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Dashboard brake warning light (in cars with sensors).
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🛠️ Types of Brake Pads
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Organic (Non-Asbestos Organic, NAO)
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Made from fibers, rubber, and resins.
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Pros: Quiet, gentle on rotors, inexpensive.
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Cons: Wear out faster, less effective under high heat (not great for aggressive driving).
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Semi-Metallic
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Blend of metal fibers (steel, copper, iron) with friction materials.
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Pros: Durable, good performance, effective in wide temperature range.
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Cons: Noisier, more rotor wear, require more pedal pressure when cold.
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Ceramic
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Made from ceramic fibers with fine copper.
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Pros: Very quiet, low dust, long-lasting, excellent performance.
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Cons: Expensive, not as effective in extreme cold as semi-metallic.
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Low-Metallic NAO
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Organic pads with a small amount of metal.
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Pros: Good braking performance, better heat transfer.
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Cons: More noise and dust than ceramics or pure organics.
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