How to Choose the Right Brake Pads

Replacing brake pads is a good job for the do-it-yourself mechanic. It’s not too difficult, and when you do it yourself, you can be sure you’re using quality parts and still save money. One important step is to choose the right brake pads. That depends not only on the vehicle, but also the driver. Different drivers have different expectations when it comes to how their vehicles’ brakes should perform.

NAPA’s disc brake pad lineup includes four grades: Proformer, Premium, Ultra Premium and Adaptive One. All of the brake pads NAPA sells meet the original manufacturer’s specifications for performance, and all stop smoothly and quietly.

Proformer brake pads are available for many older model vehicles and some late model cars and light trucks. These pads offer dependable performance and quality-tested formulas to ensure safety and reliability. If Proformer brake pads are available for your vehicle, choose them for a good brake job at a good price.

NAPA Premium brake pads are a step up from Proformer pads, with special formulations designed for quiet operation. Premium pads undergo the most rigorous testing and outperform competitors in overall performance. Choose NAPA Premium disc brake pads if you require better performance from your brakes.

Designed for the most demanding vehicles and drivers, Ultra Premium brake pads provide the most exact match to original equipment. Drivers that want like-new performance should choose Ultra Premium pads for the best formulation and fit for their vehicle, plus an industry-approved safety certification and a noise-free guarantee.

NAPA also offers Adaptive One brake pads, the only hybrid technology pads on the market. They use different ceramic formulations for the inner and outer pads to achieve powerful braking with no noise and low dust. Adaptive One pads are the best choice for drivers that want the best performance with no compromises.

Find the right pads for your vehicle at napaonline.com. If you’re new to brake pad replacement or just need a refresher, learn how to do it right in our KNOW HOW section.

Check out all the brake system parts available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on disc brake pads, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

There’s a lot more to effectively using your car’s braking system than simply stomping on the pedal when a squirrel darts out in front of you. The braking systems of cars, trucks and motorcycles are made up of a number of parts that translate the driver’s actions into physical force that stops the car. One of those brake parts is your vehicle’s brake pads.

Brake pads are a key brake part because they are the component that contacts and applies pressure and friction to a vehicle’s brake rotors — those flat, shiny discs that you can sometimes see just behind the wheels of some vehicles. The pressure and friction applied to the brake rotor is what slows and stops the wheel. Once the wheels stop turning, the vehicle stops moving, too. Though the role of brake pads as braking parts is pretty simple, the brake pads themselves are anything but.

B­ecause of how fast a vehicle’s wheels rotate and how much a typical car or truck weighs, brake pads undergo extreme stress every time you slow down or come to a stop. Think about it: Would you want to grab and hold on to a heavy metal disc that was spinning really fast? Imagine slowly squeezing that disc until the vehicle rolls to a halt — it’s a thankless job, but brake pads do it repeatedly for thousands and thousands of miles without complaint.

Stop by the next page where we’ll learn a little about organic brake pads.

Brake pads were formerly manufactured using mainly asbestos as the friction material. That’s because brake pads are exposed to a lot of friction, which generates a lot of heat. Asbestos is a good material for absorbing and dissipating heat. So what was the problem? When asbestos breaks down, it’s creates dust that’s dangerous to breathe — and brake pads can create a lot of brake dust when they’re slowing and stopping vehicles on the roads. Now, some brake pads and other brake parts are made from safer organic materials.

Organic brake pads, sometimes called nonasbestos organic brake pads, are made from natural materials liked glass and rubber, as well as resins that can withstand high heat. In fact, the high heat helps to bind the brake pad materials together. Kevlar is also an important component in many organic brake pads. An advantage of organic brake pads, including Kevlar brake pads, is that they’re made of materials that don’t pollute as they wear and they’re easier to dispose of, too. They’re also softer than brake pads made of other materials, which means they’re often quieter. The downside of organic brake pads is that, because they’re softer, they typically wear faster. As they wear, they also create more dust than other types of brake pads.

Because of these considerations, organic brake pads aren’t a good choice for heavy vehicles like trucks or for high performance cars that may need to stop quickly from top speed. Organic and Kevlar brake pads are best suited for small cars that don’t typically do a lot of aggressive driving. The light weight of the car, as well as limited hard stops, keeps organic brake pads in good shape — and that keeps the ride safe, too.

Next, we’ll take a look at a set of brake pads that might leave you with an empty wallet.

Ceramic brake pads offer great braking performance, wear well over time and are very lightweight — all of which are important for high-performance driving. So again, what’s the problem with ceramic brake pads? They’re very expensive.

Ceramic brake pads are made from ceramic fibers, filler material, bonding agents and they may even have small amounts of copper fibers within them as well. Because they’re mostly ceramic, these brake parts dissipate heat well, which keeps performance strong, even after repeated hard stops. They also don’t break down very much with repeated use; that means they produce less dust than other types of brake pads — and the dust that they do produce is lighter in color and doesn’t stick to the wheels. However, because they’re so expensive, ceramic brake pads aren’t for every type of vehicle.

Sports cars that are routinely driven hard — as part of club racing, for example — can benefit from ceramic brake pads; however, almost every other vehicle performs just fine with other brake pad materials. For most drivers, the extra performance of ceramic brake pads isn’t worth the extra cost.

Keep reading to find out about brake pads that won’t break the bank.

Choosing a brake pad that gives you a boost in stopping power instead of just a straight-up replacement for your stock binders is an affordable, and effective way to improve the performance of your vehicle.

It can also be a confusing experience for a first-time buyer. There are almost as many different brake pad compounds out there as there are companies making brake pads. Each brand does its best to come up with the most appealing balance between stopping power, longevity, and heat management—but the good news is, within those three primary pad characteristics there exists a universe of custom solutions aimed specifically at the type of driving you are doing.

For the purposes of this guide, we’re going to ignore organic pad compounds, which are the ones you’d find at your local brake shop as an inexpensive stock replacement, as well as standard ceramic pads, for similar reasons. Instead, we’ll focus on those that truly deliver across-the-board improvements in your braking performance, moving up the ladder from the least to the most aggressive pads you can install.

Semi-Metallic Starting Point

There’s no way around it: hitting your brakes hard generates heat, and on a race track, you will be regularly subjecting your pads to the kind of temperatures that one would only see occasionally in a street setting. If a pad overheats, you will encounter something called ‘brake fade,’ which occurs when temperatures rise to the point where the pad can no longer adequately generate friction against the rotor, lengthening stopping distances and dramatically reducing the initial ‘bite’ of the pad against the disc when you first push down on the pedal.

Pad compounds intended for a high performance setting must offer a way to manage this heat, which typically means including a heavy metallic component. What kind of metals are typically used? You’ll see steel, iron, copper, and a number of alloys mixed in with graphite, carbon fiber, or other fillers, resins, and materials in order to create a pad that, in competition form, is well over half metal. There can be as many as 35 different ingredients used in the proprietary compounds employed by brake pad manufacturers.

Why Go Metal?

The advantages of semi-metallic pads are significant. Since metals are typically more effective than a pad made of organic materials at conducting heat, they are able to channel high temperatures away from the caliper, reducing the chance of fluid boiling, while at the same time cooling themselves down far more quickly after the pedal is released.

Moving beyond heat, however, semi-metallic pads also offer significant bite during the initial stopping action. This makes them harder on a brake rotor in terms of overall longevity—both the pad and the disc can get chewed up with repeated braking—but it’s a small price to pay for the major boost in stopping ability that these types of pads provide.

Don’t Just Grab Any Pad

Semi-metallic pads come in a wide range of compounds, and you’ll want to be careful to choose the one that best matches the type of driving you’re doing. The first thing to look at is temperature range: some metallic compounds aren’t effective unless they have been warmed up to a specific operating temperature, and that might not be possible, or even safe, in street driving. Others offer a wider range of temps that will balance the need for both street and track stopping.

A full track-only pad like the Hawk DTC-80 is comfortable hauling you down from speed at temperatures of up to 1,700 degrees F, but can’t generate even minimum amounts of stopping power below 500 degrees F. In contrast, the entry-level Hawk HP+ is safe at as low as 100 degrees F, but will still be usable at up to 800 degrees F.

Other things to consider with these types of pads are noise and dust, each of which can be elevated compared to a stock brake pad.

Consider Swapping

Those temperature ranges listed above should have definitely caught your attention if you were considering a dual-use brake pad for street and track driving. While the HP+ is safe to drive to your event, and will offer solid performance in competition, a dedicated race pad compound isn’t something you can safely use in a street environment.

The simplest solution to getting the most out of your brake pad setup is to simply swap pads once you’re at the track, allowing you to leverage maximum stopping in both situations. While it might seem like a bit of a hassle to have to carry an extra set of pads with you, it’s really no different than a competition tire strategy. A tire like the Nitto NT01 might be perfect for turning in excellent lap times, for example, but it’s not the same tire you would drive on a daily basis in the wider range of temperature and weather conditions that are a part of daily commuting.

Matching your tire compound to the task at hand is no different than doing the same with your brakes. A one-size-fits-all solution is a good starting point, but as you begin to hone your skills, you’ll want to look to the next step in brake pad compounds to upgrade your vehicle’s capabilities to match.

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The modern automotive brake system has been in existence for some time now. Formerly, it was older brake shoes and braking system that was mechanically operated but presently, they are now computer-controlled ABS system. Old or new, brake components will certainly wear out, with a need for a replacement. The brake pads happen to be the parts that suffer the most or wears out. Although automakers suggest driver’s keep using the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) braking system parts, the many brands and style now in the market have made it difficult for drivers to choose the right brake pads.

Brake pads are supposed to be replaced immediately they become faulty instead of waiting for it to completely wear out. According to auto manufacturers, doing so will help you maintain optimal stopping power. It will also help to minimalize the rate at which other crucial braking components like the rotors and brake pads damages. If your brake pads start to wear out, it becomes necessary that you replace it, which will be leading you to make a choice on the right brake pads to get. Before you do that, be sure you know the answers to these questions as prepared here on Naijauto.

1. When should you replace your brake pads?

Auto manufacturers recommend that the brake pads should be replaced every 30,000-40,000 miles. In essence, they’re to be replaced every time you change your car’s tyres. The brakes and tyres work together to stop your car. This is the reason both of them are to be replaced at the same time. When you replace the brake pads before they completely wear out, you wouldn’t have any need to change your brake rotors. Replacing your tyres two or three times should be followed by a rotor replacement or every time your car runs 100,000-200,000 miles.

Let’s take a look at some common signs that can alert you to know your brake pads need replacement soon.

Brake pedal pulse

When you press down the brake pedal, if you experience a pulsating sensation under your feet, it’s a sign that the brake pedal has worn out. Again, it could also mean that the brake rotors have bent or an issue with the ABS system. Get a mechanic to check it out.

When you feel a pulsating sensation, it’s a sign that your brake pads are worn out

Brake Squealing

If you push the brake pedal down and hear a loud squealing sound, it’s an indicator that the brake pads have worn thin. Here, the wear bar indicator will come in contact with the brake rotors whenever the brake pad wears out, exceeding the 80% mark. The brake pads should be replaced immediately to prevent the wear indicator from digging into the rotor and resulting in a replacement.

2. What are some factors in buying brake pads?

When you go in search of a new brake pad, know that the style of your driving and conditions will determine the type of brake pad your car will be needing. To get the ideal brake pads for your vehicle, take these 7 features into consideration.

Weather performance

A good brake pad should have the capacity to function in all climatic conditions, whether it’s cold, dry, muddy, wet or warm.

Cold bite and hot bite

The brake pad should be able to perform as expected of it while providing optimal friction regardless of it being hot or cold.

Maximum Operating Temperature (MOT)

The MOT is the highest temperature a brake pad is able to read before breaking apart and becoming unsafe.

The response of friction to temperature

It’s calculated in a friction profile. It’s taking note of how many units of friction you require to apply on the brake pedal during an emergency, which will get you the same response compared to the regular way you apply the brake.

The longevity of pad and rotor

The rotor and brake pad are likely to get worn out. Consider how long brake pads and rotors have been designed to last when you’re engaging the brake pads.

The brake rotor’s lifespan should also be considered when choosing a brake pad

Noise and vibration

The level of vibration and noise the brake pedal makes when it’s pressed down should be weighed in.

Dust levels

The brake pads tend to gather dust that will cling to the wheels.

3. What are the most common types of brake pads?

We mentioned before that you should follow the recommendation of your car manufacturer when replacing your brake pads .and chances are that your car’s OEM brake pad is one of these three types.

Organic brake pads

In the beginning, the brake pads used were made with a material called asbestos, which have been discovered to cause multiple respiratory diseases until it was banned. Now, a lot of brake pads are made from glass, carbon, fibers, rubber, etc. Organic brake pads are applied softly as they are quieter. Their disadvantage is that they have a short lifespan.

The organic brake pad doesn’t last longer

Semi-metallic brake pads

Most of the cars found on roads presently use semi-metallic pads. The brake pads are made from steel, iron, copper, and other metals mixed together with graphite lubricants. There are some other materials used as well to help minimize heat. You will see the semi-metallic brake pad on heavy-duty vehicles most times because they last longer and also reduce friction.

Ceramic brake pads

This is the newest brake pad you will find in the market. Introduced in the 80s to replace the asbestos brake pad, the ceramic brake pads last longer than others. It’s made from a strong ceramic material mixed up with the copper fibers.

The ceramic brake pad is the newest brake pad in the market and it’s more expensive

However, it has two drawbacks. First, they can’t function well in cold weathers, though they are able to withstand high temperatures. Secondly, they cost more than other brake pads.

After making your choice on which brake pad to go for, ensure an auto expert fixes it up for you.

>>> Do check out our car tips and advice section for more useful information!

Jane Osuagwu is an automotive writer at Naijauto.com. She’s a car enthusiast who loves creating educative and informative topics on cars, ranging from maintenance tips to updates on the latest trend in the auto industry in concise and friendly writing.

Jane is also a blogger and loves reading, inspiring people and getting involved in personal development projects.

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Did you know that in the USA, you have a 1 in 106 chance of dying in a road traffic accident?

If you want to tip the odds in your favor, you should pay close attention to the brake pads in your car. That’s because the quality of your brake pads can often determine your ability to stop your car in a dangerous situation.

This post will highlight the various types of brake pads that you can use within a car. If you want to select the best brake pads for your vehicle, this post will help you.

The Different Types of Brake Pads Available

There are lots of different kinds of brake pads on sale, but for the most part, there are only two categories that matter. These categories are ‘ceramic’ and ‘metallic’ brake pads, and each option has its pros and cons.

Ceramic based brake pads are known to be very quiet, and they tend to do well in a wide variety of environmental conditions.

That said, ceramic brake pads are quite expensive, and they also generate a lot of heat. This heat is a problem because it can wear out the braking system, thereby increasing long-term car maintenance costs.

Metallic brake pads tend to be cheaper, and they also tend to produce a lot less heat. These kinds of brake pads are also known to perform better than ceramic brake pads.

Yet, metallic brake pads tend to produce more noise, and this noise can result in vibrations that might harm other braking components.

How Do You Choose?

The brake pad material you go with will depend a lot on your personal preferences and the kind of driving you do.

For instance, if you’re just doing day to day commuting, you might find that ceramic brake pads are the best option. However, if you have a sports car that you regularly push to the limit, metallic brake pads may be the better option.

Proper Installation Is Critical

Once you’ve decided on a particular brake pad, you then need to make sure you ask a professional to install them. After all, you might purchase the best brake pads in the world, but they won’t help you much if they’re not installed correctly.

Following this, once you get your brake pads, make sure they’re installed by a licensed mechanic or a well-known auto-repair company.

Time to Get New Brake Pads?

If you don’t know much about cars, choosing from the different types of brake pads on offer can be hard. Yet, now that you’ve read this post, you should be able to make an informed decision.

Once you’ve installed your brake pads, make sure you regularly inspect them.

That’s because brake pads will eventually need to be replaced, and if you don’t check on them, you might not replace them at the appropriate time. This, of course, will then put you at risk as worn-out brake pads will increase the ‘stopping distance’ of your car.

If you want to read something else, please check out some of our other posts.

Remember asbestos? The now-maligned heat resisting, sound absorbing, load withstanding miracle mineral used to be the standard brake pad material. Blow out the brakes, inhale the dust, repeat.

And now 3,000 mostly senior men are diagnosed with mesothelioma yearly.

Asbestos use peaked in 1973, and the industries that relied on it have since adapted. This includes the manufacture of brake pads. Let’s see what the options are now so you can decide what’s best for you.

Necessary Qualities of Brake Pad Material

When brakes are employed, kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy. The brake pads create friction which creates heat.

Regular use can drive the temperature up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit , which is hot enough to bake chicken wings. It’s also hot enough to lead to brake pad decomposition eventually. Heavy use can send the temperature over 1000 degrees!

As such, brake pads need to be able to withstand friction and dissipate heat.

Non-Asbestos Organic

Non-asbestos organic brake pads were the immediate replacement for asbestos brake pads, hence the name. They are made by combining resin with a variety of materials, including coconut shell fibers, glass, carbon, rubber, and Kevlar.

• The good: Non-asbestos organic brake pads are quiet, can generate friction without too much heat or dust and are affordable.
• The bad: Their use is limited to lower temperatures, and they compact and wear out quickly.
• Best use: Every day driving

Semi-Metallic

Semi-Metallic brake pads are made of roughly half metal frictional material and half filler and lubricant. They provide consistent friction and are hardwearing. Their adeptness at conducting heat gives them better-stopping power, but it can also diminish the life of the disc brake rotor.

• The good: Semi-metallic brake pads are highly responsive and provide good cold bite. They don’t compress and are effective over a wide range of temperatures.
• The bad: They’re noisy, dusty, and more abrasive.
• Best use: Everyday driving, heavy duty, track racing

Sintered

Sintered brake material is made when metallic particles are fused together under high heat and pressure.

• The good: Sintered brake pads are long-lasting and perform well under high heat. They excel in inclement weather.
• The bad: They’re very noisy and require breaking-in. They can be very expensive.
• Best use: Motorcycles, heavy duty, track racing

Ceramic

The use of ceramic in brake linings material is relatively new. They’re the brake babies. They combine the softness of copper with the density of ceramic to reduce noise, dust, and rotor wear.

• The good: Ceramic brake pads are consistent and long-lasting. They produce a fine dust that won’t stick to wheels.
• The bad: They do not perform well in cold temperatures, and they aren’t as good at absorbing heat. They’re expensive.
• Best use: Every day driving

What Suits Your Use?

Braking is a balancing act, and it’s not one size fits all. You can go for high performance, but you’ll pay for it with dust and wear. You can go for tidiness and longevity, but you’ll pay for it with performance.

Whatever brake pad material you need, we’ve got it all . If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know, and we’ll get it sorted out.

• KapscoMoto
• October 28, 2014
• How To

We all love to twist the throttle and cruise down the road on our motorcycles, but being able to stop it is pretty crucial. Properly functioning brake pads are critical for safe operation of a motorcycle and its important for motorcyclists to make sure that their entire braking system is in top working order before every ride. I find that riders put off replacing their motorcycle brake pads, mainly because they don’t know what kind to get. Once you understand the different types of pads, you can decide on the ones that will perform the best on your bike.

The most common types of brake pads used on motorcycles are sintered, organic and semi-sintered. Knowing about each type makes it easier for a motorcyclist to find the right kind when its time to replace their own.

Sintered Brake Pads

Sintered brake pads are made by fusing metallic particles under heat and pressure to create a compound that is resistant to friction. They perform well in wet and dry conditions and are preferred for demanding situations because they provide quality stopping power. These have become the most popular choice of brake pads and are standard Original Equipment on 99% of motorcycles from the manufacturers. On the downside, these give a lot of wear and tear to your rotors, and if your bike isn’t made to be used with sintered pads, you should 100% not use them.

Organic Brake Pads

Organic brake pads are made of a variety of materials to include metallic and nonmetallic particles and non-asbestos organic materials, secured together with a solid polymer resin. They are softer than sintered brake pads which make them create more brake dust and not last as long. They offer little wear and tear on your rotors and provide smooth and controlled braking. Organic brake pads are perfect for the casual rider and come in different types depending on the materials used making them. If you are looking to invest in new organic brake pads, KapscoMoto offers a huge selection at reasonable prices.

Kevlar Organic Brake Pads

These mix Kevlar into the combination of glass and rubber to create a superior, durable brake pad with impressive performance. Kevlar also increases the life span of the pads and improves braking power.

Carbon Organic Brake Pads

Carbon organic pads that use the other non-asbestos organic elements offers the benefits of lower heat generation. They don’t last as long as other brake pads, but are preferred in situations when your brake rotors get really hot.

Semi-Metallic Organic Brake Pads

Semi-Metallic brake pads are pads made with a small percentage of metallic elements and provide better braking and heat transfer. They also produced more dust and noise.

Semi-Sintered Brake Pads

Semi-sintered brake pads are the best of both worlds. They provide a combination of longer life span with a modern feel and do not wear out your rotors. These pads are 30% copper by weight within an organic matrix. If you cannot decide whether to purchase sintered or organic, these are a good settlement.

In conclusion, it is crucial that your braking systems perform with maximum effectiveness at all times. Replacing your old and worn out brake pads will improve the stopping power of your motorcycle, making it safer for the rider. Each different types of brake pads perform differently and it is important to review your owner’s manual or consult with your manufacturer to find out which ones are most compatible with your bike.

Pick In between bonded and riveted friction Materials. All brakes Require to have a Gentleer friction Materials Connected to the More powerful Steel backing plate. Brake Suppliers use two Procedures to attach the friction Materials to the backing plate: bonding with an adhesive or riveting with Large Power rivets.

There’s no Obviously Remarkable Technique for attaching the friction Materials, but bonding Enables the brakes to Final slightly ExHave a tFinishencyed Due to the fact as the friction Materials Put ons Straight down, the rivets make Get in touch with with the brake rotors or drums and squeal a Little when they’re Practically Put on out. By the time you Listen to the squeal of rivets Producing Get in touch with with the rotors or drums Throughout braking, it’s time to Alter the brakes anyhow.

Bonded brakes Put on Straight down to the backing plate which Ordinarily ruins your rotors or drums if not Alterd promptly when the Steel to Steel grinding Seem is Listen tod when applying the brakes.

Believe about your Generating Needs when Deciding on a brake pad Materials. Buying Substitution brake pads or Footwear will Demand you to make a Option about the Materials they are Produced from. At this Place, you Require to Ascertain how Serious your braking Requires are. Some Issues to Contemplate Consist of:

How mountainous is your Generating?

How Warm is the Environment you Reside in?

What are the Site visitors patterns you Vacation in?

How tolerant are you to brakes that squeal a Little?

Do you Draw a trailer At the rear of your Automobile ?

Do you have to Offer with deep puddles in the winter or rainy Period?

Make a decision In between Organic and natural, semi Steellic, Completely Steellic and ceramic Bust pad Materialss. Prior to Deciding on a brake pad to shoe Materials, it’s Very important to Contemplate the pros and cons of Each and eExtremely.

Organic: Some Vehicles Are available with brakes which are Produced from an Organic and natural Materials. This Gives Very good Existence for the other brake Elements, but don’t Provide Remarkable braking when Drawing a trailer or Vacationing ExHave a tFinishencyed Straight downhill routes. On top of that, Organic and natural brake Materials does Shed a Whole lot of braking Potential when they get wet.

Semi-Steellic: A Much better braking Materials is Known as semi-Steellic, in which a composite of Gentle Steels are embedded in the friction Materials which enhances braking . Nevertheless, this does Put on out the rotors or drums a Little Quicker than the Organic and natural Materialss.

Fully Steellic: The Subsequent Action up in Price tag, High quality and braking Capability is Completely Steellic brakes which Provide Good braking in Nearly any Situation, but do Put on the rotors/drums Quicker.

Ceramic: These are A lot more Costly than the other 3 Options but do Provide the ExHave a tFinishencyedest Existence and Perfect Guarantee. Ceramic brakes tolerate Extremely Large temperatures with Extremely Small fading or Reduction of braking when wet.

Opt for semi-Steellic brake pads for Typical Generating. Semi-Steellic brake pads Have a tFinishency to be a Good all-Circular Option for commuter Automobiles, and they’re Extremely reasonably Price tagd.

Most newer Automobiles Are available with semi-Steellic pads or Footwear, as these are what Auto Suppliers recommFinishs. Even Automobile that have rotors Produced of More challenging Steels tolerate the semi-Steellic pads Extremely Nicely.

Nevertheless, if you Typically use your Automobile for A lot more heavy-Job Chores — This kind of as Drawing a trailer up a mountainous Avenue — you Might be Much better Away Heading for Largeer-Finish, Completely Steellic or ceramic brake pads.

In other Key phrases, you Require to Severely Contemplate your Typical Generating Situations and how Significantly Tension will be Positioned on the Busts when Deciding on the Best suited brake pad Materials — it’s a Subject of Security.

Evaluation the Whole Bust Technique when replacing the brake pads. It’s Consistently Smart to Contemplate the Whole brake Technique when you Carry out a Restoration Your self or have it Finished by a Program Store.

The brake pads can be no A lot more Efficient than the High quality of the rotors they Get in touch with and the master/slave cylinders that Proceed the pads in and out to Carry out their Features.

It’s also Smart to flush the Aged brake fluid out of the hydraulic Technique when if the Automobile or truck is More than 8 Many years Aged just to Retain the Dampness Ranges Lower and brakes Functioning at their peak Ranges.

When you are replacing your disc brakes, you have a few options to consider. Disc brake pads come in many brands and varieties such as riveted, bonded, organic, and metallic. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing your disc brake pad.

If you want the quick answer for choosing your brake pad, look at what you already have: organic, semi-metallic, or ceramic. If you have semi-metallic or ceramic, you can interchange the two, but never replace these brakes with organic. If you have organic, you can keep the same brakes or exchange them with the other types.

Riveted vs. Bonded

If you want to decide on the best brake pad, you will come across the terms riveted and bonded. These terms refer to how the friction material of the brake pad is affixed to the backing plate.

This does not affect the brake’s performance but can mildly affect the lifespan of the brake pad. These brakes have different qualities as described below.

Riveted pads: Riveted friction pads are connected to the backing plates via rivets. This means when the brake pad starts to run thin, the rivets can become exposed and cause the brakes to squeal.

Bonded pads: These pads use an adhesive agent to bond the friction material to the backing plate. This lacks exposable rivets, so it could theoretically be used for a longer time. However, in practice, the pad should probably be replaced at the same time anyway.

Types of Friction Material

Disc Brake pads have been manufactured out of many materials over time, including fully metallic, ceramic carbon, and asbestos disc brake pads. However, the brake pad industry has primarily settled on three varieties of friction material. These are organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic.

Organic Disc Brake Pads

Organic disc brake pads are made of organic fibers, including carbon and rubber, among others bound by resins. Organic disc brake pads are a common choice for small, lightweight vehicles because they are soft with less than 20% metallic material. This leads to less wear on your brake rotor and quiet performance. However, metal conducts heat well, and less of it makes for poor conduction of heat away from the rotor during braking.

Also, the softness of the material makes for less noise, less durability, and much more brake dust. These pads will not last as long as semi-metallic or ceramic options, but they come at a lower price.

Semi-Metallic Disc Brake Pads

These disc brake pads are made of several types of metal fibers suspended in graphite lubricant and hard resins. These are the most common disc brake pads in use today. Therefore, they are popular for use in heavy and difficult braking applications.

These brake pads are durable due to their metal content but are also very loud and produce dust. These disc brake pads conduct heat away from the rotor well, making them very effective at maintaining braking power during frequent stops and starts.

These brake pads are frequently trusted for racing applications and tow vehicles. But for everyday driving, many would favor quiet braking and will not push their brakes at all.

Ceramic Disc Brakes

Ceramic disc brakes are made of an extremely durable ceramic similar to those in non-stick coating, then intertwined with copper wires. The ceramic material like the one on your stove can withstand considerable heat, and the copper wires are effective at conducting heat away from the rotor.

One of the most significant flaws with ceramic disc brakes is that though they are more effective at holding and dispersing heat from the brake pad, they are far less effective at removing heat from the rotor than semi-metallic brake pads. This means that though they retain the feel of good braking, they can cause rotor damage from overheating and higher abrasiveness than semi-metallic disc brake pads.
Despite these flaws, ceramic disc brake pads do last a long time, produce little sound and dust, and slow your vehicle faster than organics and, under some conditions, even semi-metallics.

I Know the Materials Now How do I Decide?

This comes down to how and what you drive. A small subcompact used for relaxed driving can almost certainly get away with using organic disc brake pads and save some money. This even has the benefit of quiet braking.

But maybe you want to build a performance car or do some heavy towing. If you’re going to trust your brake pads to work their best under extreme conditions, then go with semi-metallic.

If you have a car that you want to relax in, but organic disc brake pads just won’t cut it, ceramic disc brake pads offer quite effective braking. It can also help prevent brake dust that causes discoloration to tires and other nearby components.

The Best Disc Brake Pads

Now that you know your brake pads, these are some manufacturers who produce a good set of brake pads for each disc brake pad material.

Best Ceramic: A list of the best ceramic disc brake pad manufacturers would have to include Akebono. These pads are expensive, typically hovering about fifty dollars for a set of 4 disc brake pads. However, Akebono is certified to provide quality equipment, and their brake pads are some of the quietest out there.

Best Semi-metallic: Wagner is one of the most respected brands out there. This company lives up to German engineering. They have long manufactured brake pads, and they are an excellent choice for quality semi metallics.

Best Organic: When you shop for organic brake pads, you are typically concerned with getting the best brake pad you can afford cheap. Bearing quality vs. affordability, the best brand of Organic Disc Brake Pads is Duralast. AutoZone’s private label brand. Their brake pads are known for decent quality, and they usually are pretty affordable.

Related Questions

Are Expensive Brakes Worth the Cost?

Expensive brake pads are only worth the cost if they add something, and this is often not the case. All brake pads must meet government regulatory standards ensuring quality. However, look for options that are different in some way. Some brake pads use more expensive metals to better conduct heat away from the brake rotor.

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World Leading Brake Specialists

How to choose best brake pads for motorcycles

How to choose best brake pads for motorcycles

EBC have just published the latest technical article on how to choose best brake pads for motorcycles. A handy guide that will help you decide which brake pads are the best and the types to suit your motorcycle.

EBC manufacture best brake pads for all types of motorcycles including general street motorcycle for highway use, off road motocross and ATV use or road race brake pads. Also included is some helpful advice for bedding in new brakes.

Here is the link to the article:

This article and others like it are also available to view in the article section of the EBC website here or on the EBC Pinterest site here: EBC pinterest – EBC Brakes technical articles

Here are some product details of the best brake pads for motorcycle EBC make mentioned within the article:

EBC Organic motorcycle brake pads are Europe’s first and only ECE R90 approved brake pad. Manufactured at EFI in Bristol, these brake pads perform as well as any sintered pads, as proved by R90 compliance. This ‘aramid’ series has now been renamed Non-Asbestos Organic or NAO and is created from aramid fibre in conjunction with other high tech modern fibres. If you want a value for money all round brake pad replacement then the NAO series are the perfect choice for all levels of motorcycle and are very popular with many riders who prefer the “feel” of organic pads.

Manufactured from an asbestos free organic material, the Semi-sintered™ V-pad™ is designed for touring and heavy duty use on motorcycle applications. Because of it’s medium high friction levels these brake pads offer an effective braking performance no matter what the operating temperature is.

This material offers minimal pad and rotor wear, stable braking and very low dusting of wheels. Containing 30% copper, the V-pad™ combines the benefits and “feel” of an organic pad and also feature the low heat generation and rotor galling that organics have with a life span of that of a sintered pad.

EBC Double-H Superbike Pads™
EBC Double-H pads™ are the top choice of street legal brake pads you can buy for the best grip.

Made from sintered copper alloy, these brake pads benefit from the highest friction HH rating for maximum stopping power. EBC Double-H Superbike pads™ are perfect braking under all riding conditions, be it wet, dry, hot or cold. Unique stainless steel radiator plates are fitted when required to reduce heat transfer into the hydraulics of the motorbike. The double segment vented design is totally unique and keeps the pads cooler and prevents pad drag and overheat or fade.

EPFA Sintered Fast Street and Trackday Pads
EBC Extreme Pro brake pads also known as EPFA brake pads are the racers choice for superbike racing and also have excellent street use too! These brake pads are fantastic for motorcycle racing as the compound they are made from has extra friction stabilizing additives that totally improve the ‘heat cycling’ braking effect.

The new GPFAX Formula Sintered Race pads are a direct replacement of the GPFA series. This new formula is even more higher in friction and created specifically to be used only on asphalt surfaces such as those found in race track conditions. Because of the super performance that they provide these brake pads are a growing favourite choice by superbike racers.

Another benefit of the new GPFAX sintered material is that it now has even better heat cycling ability allowing the brake pads to be raced, cooled then raced again.

Read more about GPFAX brake pads here!

Also known as Carbon Enduro formula pads these brakes have the unique benefit of having lower heat transfer and generation, although they don’t have the same life span as that of a sintered copper brake pad.

ATV Sintered Brake Pads or ‘R’ Series are one such EBC product that are designed with a high density sintered copper material that offer very high durability and a high resistance to water, mud, sand and excellent at coping with all manner of off road racing conditions as those found in ATV racing.

To find out where to buy EBC Brakes products check this link: /where-to-buy-ebc-products/

Our technicians at Bowers Automotive are the best source of reliable advice for all vehicle-related matters. This week we bring you a guide on, how do I choose the right brake pads?

There are many different types of brake pads available for your car or truck. Most drivers will rely on their mechanic to choose appropriate brake pads, but it’s always a good idea to have basic knowledge about the parts needed for your vehicle.

A variety of different materials are used to make brake pads, each one with its own advantages and disadvantages. Brake pads made from organic composites are usually the cheapest available; however, they do not perform well when wet. It is unwise to choose these brake pads if your need to pull a trailer or do a lot of heavy downhill braking. Semi-metallic brake pads offer higher resistance than the organic ones and better performance in most conditions. If you must drive regularly in wet or snowy weather, these would be a better option than organic brake pads.

Fully metallic brake pads are tough wearing and will last considerably longer than either of the previous types mentioned. They are also more expensive. Ceramic brake pads are the costliest variety, but they offer the best overall performance, even when wet and extremely hot. If you plan to be putting a lot of stress on your brakes by driving on mountain roads with steep declines or pulling extra loads, you may want to consider investing in ceramic brake pads. They will provide consistently reliable braking under heavy use for the longest amount of time.

Brake pads vary in both their material and installation. You can buy brake pads riveted to the brake backing plate. The sturdy metal rivets will keep the brake pads firmly in place, but as the softer material eventually wears down over time, the rivets will encounter the brake rotor disc and make a loud screeching noise.

The other method of securing the brake pads is by directly bonding them using a strong adhesive. With either method, a clear signal telling you that it is time to change your brake pads will be the grinding sound of metal on metal.

Choosing the right brake pads involves thinking about your driving patterns, the weather conditions, and your budget. Somebody who drives an average car in a dry climate with little incline or decline may be able to use organic brake pads. Someone in a wetter climate who frequently gets stuck in traffic jams and uses their vehicle to tow a trailer will be better off with high-performance brake pads.

No matter what you choose, remember to be aware of the longevity of your brakes and listen out for grinding or squealing noises. Delaying getting your brake pads changed means that your brake rotor disc or drum will get worn down and possibly require a costlier replacement.

If you are unsure about the timing of changing your brake pads or choosing the right type, please feel free to contact Bowers Automotive in Colorado Springs. We are always ready to help our clients when they ask the question, how do I choose the right brake pads? Of course, we’ll also provide expert installs and repairs. Contact us today.