What is the difference between front and rear brake pads?

[Pearl]

The biggest difference between front and rear brake discs is that the front brake discs are larger. This is because when braking, whether it's a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicle, the center of gravity shifts significantly forward, resulting in greater pressure on the front wheels. This is precisely why front brake discs are larger than rear ones. The maintenance methods for brakes include: 1. High-temperature resistance protection to prevent corrosion of the brake system, avoid brake pads seizing due to high temperatures, and eliminate brake squealing; 2. Clean oil stains, dirt, and friction dust from brake discs, drums, and any components to ensure good heat dissipation; 3. Regularly replace brake fluid; 4. Periodically check the thickness of brake pads or shoes.

[VanOlivia]

Having worked in an auto repair shop for over a decade, I can say the biggest difference between front and rear brake pads lies in their wear rates. During emergency braking, the vehicle's weight shifts forward, with 70% of the braking force concentrated on the front wheels, causing front brake pads to wear out significantly faster. From my observation, car owners typically need to replace front pads twice as often as rear ones. There's also a cost difference - front pads are usually more expensive because they must withstand higher temperatures and pressures, requiring more advanced materials. Safety-wise, completely worn front pads are particularly dangerous, increasing stopping distance by 2-3 meters, whereas when rear pads fail, the front wheels can still provide some braking capability. I recommend regularly checking brake pad thickness, especially replacing front pads when they wear below 2mm.

[VonFinn]

I've been into racing car modifications for five or six years, and the braking system is a key area for upgrades. The front and rear brake pads are completely different in performance design—the front pads require high-temperature resistant racing materials, such as carbon-ceramic composites, to withstand the 800-degree heat generated during continuous hard braking. The rear pads only need ordinary metal materials, serving mainly as an auxiliary function. During modifications, the front pads are typically 20% thicker than the rear pads to endure the intense driving on the track. Moreover, the installation angle of the front pads directly affects the braking feel, while the rear pads primarily consider compatibility with the electronic parking brake. For regular maintenance, note that the front pads wear out twice as fast as the rear pads, so it's recommended to check them every 20,000 kilometers.

[JessicaRose]

Last week, I just replaced the front and rear brake pads on my daily commuter car, and the difference was quite noticeable. The front pads were worn almost flat when removed, and the mechanic explained that daily braking relies mainly on the front wheels. A set of front pads cost over 600 yuan, while the rear pads were only 400 yuan, a significant price difference. During installation, I noticed structural differences too—the front calipers are larger with cooling slots, while the rear pads are just simple, small pieces. The most obvious change was the driving feel after replacement; the initial braking force became noticeably stronger, confirming the front pads' primary role. Additionally, rear pads generally last longer—my car needed its first rear pad replacement only after 80,000 kilometers.

[Elrond]

From a mechanical perspective, front and rear brake pads have distinct roles. The front pads handle 70% of braking duties, hence they're designed larger, thicker, with more cooling fins, often using high-temperature resistant organic compounds. Rear pads are about one-third smaller, typically employing low-metallic materials to reduce noise. The wear difference stems from vehicle weight transfer principles: during hard braking, the front axle bears triple the weight pressure. Modern vehicles incorporate electronic brake-force distribution systems, yet front pads still wear 40% faster than rears. Replacement recommendations also differ: front pads should be changed at 3mm remaining, while rear pads can last until 5mm - maintenance records should track them separately.