How to Maintain Car Brake Pads?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to check car brake pads: 1. Listen for sounds. If you hear a metallic scraping sound when lightly applying the brakes, it indicates a problem with the brake pads, and they should be replaced immediately at a repair shop. 2. Check the thickness of the brake pads. A new brake pad is about 1.5 cm thick. When the thickness is visibly reduced to one-third of its original size, increase the frequency of inspections and be prepared to replace the brake pads at a repair shop. 3. Pay attention to braking performance. When the brake pads become thinner, the braking effect will be affected. Additional information about brake pads: 1. Brake pads, also known as brake linings, are critical safety components in a car's braking system. The effectiveness of all braking depends largely on the condition of the brake pads. 2. Brake pads are generally composed of a steel plate, an adhesive heat insulation layer, and a friction block. The steel plate is coated to prevent rust, and the coating process is monitored using an SMT4 furnace temperature tracker to ensure quality by detecting the temperature distribution during coating.
I remember being a bit nervous the first time I changed my brake pads myself, but it turned out to be quite simple. Park the car on a level surface, engage the handbrake, and lift the wheel with a jack—remember to use wheel chocks to prevent rolling. After removing the wheel, loosen the caliper bolts, carefully take out the old pads, and use a C-clamp to retract the piston to fit the new pads. Cleaning dirt off the caliper is crucial; otherwise, improper friction from the new pads can cause noise or shorten their lifespan. Align and install the new pads, then tighten the bolts. Reattach the wheel and gently press the brake pedal a few times to test the friction. The whole process takes about 40 minutes, and you can get it done with just over a hundred bucks for tools and parts. For beginners, I recommend watching online tutorial videos first to avoid mistakes. Regularly check the pad thickness—replace them if they’re under 3mm. Doing it yourself saves money and hones your skills.
