Can stones in brake pads come out on their own?

[SanAndrew]

Stones in brake pads can come out on their own. If a stone gets into the brake pad, it is necessary to check whether the gap between the brake pad and the brake disc is too large. If the gap is too large, you can go to a repair shop to have a professional adjust the distance between the brake pad and the brake disc. Once the distance is reduced, the probability of stones entering the brake disc will be greatly reduced. Under normal driving conditions, the service life of the front brake pads is generally 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers, while the rear brake pads last about 120,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The exact replacement time depends on the specific wear condition. Different vehicle models may have varying mileage standards set by manufacturers. When replacing brake pads, it is advisable to choose products from reputable manufacturers. Typically, brake pads produced by reputable manufacturers have clear packaging prints, including the license number, specified friction coefficient, and execution standards. The packaging box should also contain a certificate of conformity, production batch number, and production date. It is recommended to have new brake pads installed by professionals at a specialized repair shop to avoid errors and potential safety hazards.

[DeRafael]

That day when I was driving on a mountain road, I did encounter a clicking sound from the brakes and initially thought it was some major issue. Later, the mechanic said it was most likely a small stone stuck in there. These tiny pebbles love to get wedged between the brake pads and rotors, especially after driving on gravel roads. Annoying, right? Actually, there's no need to panic in such situations. Before getting out of the car, remember the position—it's usually the front wheels. If the sound isn't too loud, you can slowly reverse a few meters and then gently apply the brakes to use inertia to shake the stone loose. That’s how I fixed it last time. But if the noise persists, don’t push your luck—head straight to a repair shop and have them use a professional hook to remove it. Otherwise, you risk grinding grooves into the brake rotors, and that’d be a costly mistake.

[DeLillian]

Last time when getting my car washed, a worker taught me a folk remedy: find a safe stretch of road, speed up to about 60 km/h, then stomp on the brakes hard twice. The high temperature from the brake pads' friction can shatter small stones. But I tried it three times and only succeeded once—now I realize it's mostly down to luck. Honestly, this trick is pretty risky; if the stone is too hard, it might just scratch the brake pads instead. Later, Master Zhang at the auto repair shop told me that the newly developed ceramic brake pads have smaller gaps, making them less likely to trap stones. Had I known earlier, I would've opted for these during my upgrade.

[DiAndres]

Once while driving on National Highway 318, I encountered this annoying issue - the wheel made a clanking sound with every rotation, which scared me into pulling over immediately. I spent quite some time inspecting the tire and sure enough, there was a small pebble stuck in it. Without any tools at hand, I had to spend ten minutes poking at it with a tree branch before finally getting it out. Actually, those magnetic wheel hooks sold online are quite handy. I bought one later and tossed it in the trunk, but haven't had to use it a second time yet. A reminder for new drivers: there are two positions where stones can get stuck. If it's lodged at the edge of the brake pad, it's easier to handle. But if it's stuck in the middle of the friction surface, definitely don't try poking at it yourself.