What are Brake Pads?

Everyone fancies seeing their vehicle hit the road. But, there is a moment when even the merchants of speed need the car to come to a halt. That is where the brake system is required, and unless you have the best, you have trouble stopping the vehicle.

But how does the brake system work? When brakes are activated by stepping on the brake pedal, brake pads press against the brake rotors that are attached to the wheel, and the wheel stops spinning slowly until the car stops completely.

It is, therefore, essential that one has the best brake pads to ensure that the braking system is not compromised.

Brake pads are made from different materials to serve various car models and vehicles.

Knowing the right one for your car is the first step to improving the performance of the car and ensuring your safety on the roads. However, brake pads wear down with time and require frequent replacements.

It is also vital to know where, when, and how to change brake pads in your car. This guide will help you identify the right brake pads manufacturer for your car braking system needs.

Best brake pads buying guide

Brake pads may be overwhelming at times, especially if you are replacing yours for the first time.

It requires an informed decision to get the best brake pads that enhance the overall performance of your car, and to get that; you have to know the right brake pads manufacturer and supplier you can depend on to provide quality parts.

This buying guide will point you in the right direction and help you make a sound decision when buying brake pads.

Factors to consider when buying brake pads

Before jumping into the market to acquire new brake pads, you need to factor in some aspects that help in identifying the best brake pads for your car. Consider the following:

The type of car:

The first thing you need to know is that every car model requires a specific brake pad number.

Conversely, not all brake pads will fit in all vehicles.

So, it is essential to know the type of your car, the model, and the year before you go shopping for brake pads replacements. The owners’ manual should help you figure out this kind of information more comfortably.

Front or rear brake pads?

If you are just getting started on brake pads, here is an essential tip; front and rear brake pads are different, and the same car requires different front and rear brake pads to fit.

So, you should know the brake pad you want to replace before buying to ensure that you have the best fit for the vehicle.

Driving habit:

The type of driving style you do and the driving conditions influence the type of brake pad you require for your car.

For instance, high-performance cars require better stopping power and reduced braking distance.

On the same note, if you like driving on highways, you will need brake pads that stop quietly and smoothly.

Essential features and specification of brake pads

Features and specifications of brake pads make them either good enough or the best. To get the most appropriate and high-performance brake pads, you need to look out for these crucial features:

Fit: Why should you know the make, model, and year of your car if you want to purchase brake pads?

The most straightforward answer is that it gets you the best fit replacement part. Most brake pads manufacturers will help you find brake pads that fit your vehicle if you have the information about the car.

Brake Style: Getting the right brake pads for your car requires you to go the extra mile to identify the style of brakes you use. There are two different brake styles.

i.Drums

Brake drums are the oldest brake style. They work by brake pads pressing against “drums” that fitted on the wheels of the vehicle to stop the wheel from spinning.

They are usually located at the center of the wheel and fitted to rear wheels only. However, they are not used in most cases today since they are vulnerable to heat and moisture.

ii.Rotors/Discs

Brake rotors/ discs are the most popular types of brakes used today. They are fitted to sides of the wheels and exert pressure from sides and not the center of the wheel. Some brake pads manufacturers also include brake rotors in brake pads kit.

Quality: Brake pads come in a wide variety. In that case, they differ in quality and performance.

Some factors that influence the quality of brake pads include the metal backing, type, and price. It is essential to note that substandard brake pads often come cheaper but are costly in the long run.

Type/material: The type of brake pad is hugely impacted by the material used to make it. The most common types of brake pads in the market are organic, metallic, and semi-metallic brake pads.

Every type has striking features and specifications that make it suitable for certain vehicles.

Brake dust reduction: Using brakes will always create dust that is deposited on the wheels of the vehicle. When dust accumulates on the wheels, it causes vibration and noise when braking.

The best brake pad manufacturer will get you replacement parts that generate little dust, thus making braking smooth and quieter. Ceramic brake pads generate the least brake dust.

Durability: Brake pads wear down with time and therefore require frequent replacement.

But you can avoid replacing brake pads frequently if you buy the best quality and the most reliable brake pads in the market because quality brake pads last longer. The best way to identify quality brake pads is by looking at the thickness.

Thicker brake pads tend to last longer, and that gives an assurance that you can rely on them for an extended period of braking. Conversely, the type and material used to make the brake pad is also an indicator of quality.

Brake pads manufacturers should help point out the features of brake pads that make them robust and long-lasting.
Installation help: Replacing brake pads require extra materials, especially if you want to do it yourself and save on the cost of hiring a mechanic.

You may require shims, lubricants, springs, and chamfers, among others, to change brake pads efficiently.

If you get to buy brake pads with these items on the same package, you find it easier and cheaper to replace the brake pads. Additionally, you may want to replacement guide in the same kit.

Certifications: Brake pads that are certified give assurance that the manufacturer is reputable and that whatever you are buying meets the quality requirements.

Certifications include a valid warranty, which comes with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) certification. Brake pads are only certified if they are tested, and their performance is found to meet regulatory metrics on braking requirements.

This specification is an indicator of quality parts that you should always check before buying brake pads from any supplier.

Money-Back Guarantee: Anything you buy can be compromised and require that you return them to the supplier. Brake pads manufacturer or supplier should assure you that you will get your money refunded if you do not like the quality of what was delivered.

Alternatively, the manufacturer should give replacements for rejected brake pads.

Warranty: The most reputable brake pads manufacturers are known to show confidence in the quality of their parts by offering warranties.

Warranty may be in the form of a mileage guarantee from the time the brake pads are installed. That means that the dealer takes care of any problem with the brake pads that are caused naturally within the period covered.

Warranty is an indicator of quality, and you should always check to see if your supplier offers it on new brake pads.
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Types of Brake Pads

As mentioned earlier, brake pads come in a wide variety. The type of brake pad is influenced by the material used to make the part. The most common brake pads are organic, semi-metallic, and metallic brake pads. There are also some types like ceramic brake pads.

Organic Brake Pads

Conventionally, brake pads were made of asbestos materials. Asbestos had various health and environmental problems. As an alternative, organic brake pads were introduced. They are also called non-asbestos brake pads.

They are made mostly of glass, fiber, rubber, carbon, and other organic materials. Organic brake pads are usually more affordable and produce less noise.

However, they succumb to wear and tear faster than other types of brake pads.

Semi-metallic Brake Pads

As the name goes, semi-metallic brake pads are manufactured using a considerable amount of metal. In most cases, they are made of steel, iron, or any other metallic component coupled with fillers. Semi-metallic brake pads are more heat resistant but produce some noise and are a bit expensive compare to organic brake pads.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Ceramic brake pads are the latest types to enter the brake pads market. They are made of hardened ceramic materials, some amount of metal, and fillers. Ceramic brake pads are quieter and long-lasting but also come short when used in colder weather conditions and are expensive.

Metallic brake pads

The most robust and long-lasting type of brake pads is metallic. They are made mostly of metallic materials.

Metallic brake pads are exceptional in offering faster braking solutions in large vehicles but are noisiest and eat into brake rotors a lot. They are also expensive.

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Why should you replace brake pads?

Brake pads work by creating friction by biting into brake discs when pressure is applied on the brake pedal. The friction brings the spinning of the wheels into a slow halt until the vehicle stops completely.

In the process, brake pads become thinner and wear down. When this happens, the initial bite on brake drums or brake rotors is reduced, and it may take longer to stop the vehicle from moving.

The effect of worn-out brake pads reduces the performance of the entire braking system and puts the life of the users at risk.

It is, therefore, essential to change brake pads regularly at the first sign of improper braking to ensure better performance and safety on roads.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about brake pads.

As manufacturers of brake pads, we get a lot of concerns from clients in the form of questions. Customers ask many questions to get a better understanding of brake pads and how they work.

Here are some questions that pop up often:

How often should brake pads be replaced?

Brake pads vary in terms of durability, depending on the type of brake pads and driving style. However, the best way to know when to change brake pads is by looking at the manufacturer’s suggested mileage.

If the brake pads are meant to serve you for, say, 20,000 miles, you should replace them once the distance is covered. Alternatively, you can notice some signs that show your brake pads are rusty and need replacement.

Such indicators include noise and vibration when braking, longer braking time, and car light indicator in some sophisticated models.

Remember to conduct frequent check up on the vehicle to determine the conditions of the brake pads.

Can old brake pads be used to buy new ones in case one does not know the make, model, and year of the car?

The direct answer is yes. If you do not have information about the make and model of your vehicle, you can carry the old brake pads to a dealer and get the exact fit.

The number marked on brake pads can be used to identify a fitting replacement.

Should brake rotors be changed too when replacing brake pads?

No, brake rotor replacement is not necessary when changing brake pads unless the rotors are also worn out.

However, it is recommended that you change them at the same time to enhance the performance of the braking system since both rotors and brake pads work together.

Wrapping it up

Brake pads are essential for the optimal performance of a vehicle’s barking system and the safety of users. Getting the best brake pads is, therefore, something that you should prioritize.

This guide has offered essential tips you need when considering buying new brake pads for your vehicles.

We manufacture quality brake pads for all vehicle makes and models and therefore offer the best option if you want to buy brake pads on retail or wholesale.